Ben Hollioake collection for cricketing enthusiasts

Ben Hollioake was well known for his lightning fast bowling and talent with the bat – even when he was only nine years old.

Little wonder that English captain Mike Atherton decided in 1997 to send Hollioake in as a pinch-hitter at No. 3 for his first one-day international match against the might of a top-class Australian attack that included fast bowler Glenn McGrath and legendary leg spinner Shane Warne.

Third ball he drove Glenn McGrath back down the ground for four, and then took 13 from his next over.

When he went down on one knee and swept Warne over mid-wicket, the Lords crowd purred. Hollioake finished with 63 off 48 balls and was named Man of the Match.

Ben’s nonchalance was irresistible and the crowd quickly believed, as a seam-bowling all-rounder, he would become the next Ian Botham and the answer to England’s cricketing woes at the time.

Born in Melbourne, Hollioake had moved to England at age seven. He was still only 19 years old, but in one glorious innings on the big stage had become the champion of the English cricketing public.

Later that year, with England not performing well in the Ashes series against Australia, he and his older brother Adam were selected for their Test debuts.

However, his first class form was patchy and his progress, both for the national and his county side Surrey, fitful.

Tragically, Ben was killed in Perth Western Australia, aged only 24, when his Porsche 924 left a freeway exit and slammed into a brick wall while he was on his way home from a family function.

He was the youngest English Test cricketer ever to die and wicketkeeper Alec Stewart said he was the most gifted cricketer he had played alongside.

The Ben Hollioake Collection will be part of Mossgreen’s sporting memorabilia auction from 10am Wednesday May 21 at 926-930 High Street, Armadale.

Another interesting auction item is the bat Australian captain Allan Border used on the tied Madras Test in 1986 in India – only the second ever played.

The first tied Test was in 1960 between Australia and the West Indies. Both involved Bob Simpson – first as a player and then as a coach.

In its first innings, Australia declared at 574 for 7 early on the third day. Border had made 106 and Dean Jones 210 in what was then the highest score by an Australian in a Test in India.

India was all out for 397 in reply and Australia then declared at 170 for 5 at the end of the fourth day – leaving India 348 runs for victory.

On the second last ball of the last over scores were tied, with India requiring one run for victory and Australia one wicket to avoid defeat.

Spin bowler Greg Matthews then struck tailender Maninder Singh on the pad and he was given out lbw – creating yet another historic Test cricket moment.