Mike Whitney

Mike Whitney

Personal information
Batting style	Right-hand bat
Bowling style	Left-arm fast-medium
Career statistics
Competition	Tests	ODIs
Matches	12	38
Runs scored	68	40
Batting average	6.18	6.66
100s/50s	-/-	-/-
Top score	13	9*
Balls bowled	2672	2106
Wickets	39	46
Bowling average	33.97	27.15
5 wickets in innings	2	-
10 wickets in match	1	n/a
Best bowling	7/27	4/34
Catches/stumpings	2/-	11/-
Source: Cricinfo, 12 December 2005

Michael Roy Whitney (born 24 February 1959, Surry Hills, New South Wales) is an Australian television personality and former cricketer, who played in 12 Tests and 38 ODIs from 1981 to 1993.

Fast bowler Michael Whitney was a favourite among Australian and NSW cricket fans for both his sense of humour and whole-hearted approach to the game. He made his Test debut in 1981 at Old Trafford against England, when he was called on by the Australian touring party due to injuries while playing for Gloucestershire ^[1]. However, he was then overlooked for six years afterwards and played almost all of his matches for Australia in the late 1980s and early '90s. He could be considered unlucky not to have played more than 12 Tests over his long career. He was Australia's most economical bowler in the 1992 World Cup and in the same season took 17 wickets in three Tests against India ^[2] .

Whitney became a much-celebrated number 11 batsman in the 1987 Boxing Day Test, surviving 18 deliveries and holding off Richard Hadlee to help secure a draw for Australia against New Zealand.

Since retiring from cricket, he has worked in the media, most prominently as the host of Who Dares Wins (made in Australia, the show has been seen in America on cables Game Show Network). He has also been a referee on the Australian version of TV game show Gladiators and continues to host a variety of travel programs. He is also the director of a computer graphics company and spokesperson for the Road Transport Forum's "Today's Truckies Giving 100%" campaign.

Mike is currently hosting Sydney Weekender, a show airing only in New South Wales. He is also host of the new show Last Chance Learners. He officially endorses Hamish and Andy's greyhound, Fred Basset.

Mike is also part of the Indian Cricket League commentary team. On 8 of March 2009 Mike Whitney was inducted as a life member by the South Sydney Rabbitohs for his contribution in being a Director on the Football Club Board in the critical period during the Club’s battle for reinstatement to the competition between 1999 and 2001. He also played a decisive role in attracting fellow Life Member Kerry Stokes to the Club as a major sponsor upon its readmission to the competition in 2002, a coup that ensured the Club’s ability to make its triumphant return to the NRL competition.

Toohey's advertisement

Whitney was the star of a one minute television advertisement for Tooheys Draught Beer during the mid 1980s. In this advertisement, a fictional touring match between New South Wales and The West Indies comes down to the final ball. With three runs needed to win, and with Joel Garner bowling, Whitney, a tail ender, manages to hit a cover drive towards the boundary. As he comes back for the third run, the fielder, Viv Richards, throws the ball back to the bowler's stumps where it breaks the wicket. Whitney, however, has just made it past the crease and the umpire says not out. New South Wales have won the match by the tightest margin (one wicket), and the crowd cheers as Whitney, hugged by fellow batsman Steve Rixon, makes his way back, holding and drinking a Toohey's.

The lyrics of the song are:

How do you feel,
When a nasty ball sees a ninth wicket fall and there's a groan from the hill?
How do you feel,
Three runs to go and they move in close for the final kill?
How do you feel,
When you face big Joel for the final bowl and your blood chills?
How do you feel,
When a cover drive sees runs in sight and you run like hell?
How do you feel when you beat the ball stretched out on the field?
How do you feel?
How do you feel?
I feel like a Tooheys.
I feel like a Tooheys.
I feel like a Tooheys or two.
I feel like a Tooheys.
I feel like a Tooheys.
I feel like a Tooheys draught brew.[1]

When Whitney was selected to play for Australia again in a Test match in December 1987, the fictional advertisement almost became reality when Whitney came out to bat against New Zealand on the final day of the match. With Australia requiring 20 runs to win and New Zealand needing 1 wicket to win the match and tie the series, Whitney, along with fellow tailender Craig McDermott, managed to survive the final overs against Richard Hadlee and draw the match, thus winning the Test series for Australia (their first in over three years). Whitney remained 2 not out off 18 balls and faced the final delivery from Hadlee. He punched the air in celebration as he survived the ball.

Remarkably, a similar event nearly occurred just one month later in Perth during a One day match against New Zealand. Needing 233 to win the match, Australia were 9 for 221 when Whitney came out to bat. With Tony Dodemaide, Whitney added vital runs until 2 runs were needed off the final ball with Whitney facing. However he hit the ball to John Bracewell and was out for 3, New Zealand winning by one run.

References

1. ^ Cricinfo - Eleven quirky debuts
2. ^ Cricinfo - Beware the unknown