Local cricket legend reflects on game of a lifetime

This West Indies team was chock-full of the game’s greats including Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, Desmond Haynes, Courtney Walsh and led by the great Sir Vivian Richards.

Almost 6000 spectators packed into Vic Park’s grounds to watch Lloyd Rosenow’s Vic Country side take on the all-conquering West Indians.

A young Turner, who has the Goulburn Murray Cricket’s best-and-fairest medal named after him, was one of the lucky men able to face one of the greatest teams of all time.

Yet Turner wasn’t new to facing the West Indies, having played the side the previous year.

“I had been lucky enough to play them the year before in Benalla, so when they came to Echuca we all went out the night before and got to catch up with them,” he said.

“It was very interesting to talk to Viv Richards and Desmond Haynes. I managed to have a good chat with the both of them.

“They were all good blokes. Eldine Baptiste remembered me from the last time I played them, he was great to talk to.

“You never imagine yourself playing against legends like that. It was a big build up and a big deal for the town and players.”

In the 50-over match, the West Indians won the toss and elected to bat, with Baptiste (75) and Haynes (48) top-scoring.

The visitors finished their innings at 9-279, with Turner posting game-best bowling figures of 3-46.

Unfortunately, Turner didn’t get to face the Windies’ world-class bowling attack, with Vic Country falling short in its batting stint at 4-215.

Vic Country number five Steve Bray top-scored for the match with an unbeaten 96, coming tantalisingly close to an incredible century against one of the greatest fast bowling attacks in the history of the sport.

“They (West Indies) were pretty friendly to him (Bray), they didn't bounce him too much, but he batted very well,” Turner said.

Turner remembers vividly the power of that West Indian team, particularly that of Richards, who made batting look easy.

“They absolutely belted the ball. I remember fielding on the boundary at deep mid-off and I had one off Richards come to me. I could still feel my hand stinging after the game,” he said.

“It was tough bowling to them. You only had to be a little bit off your line and length and they’d whack you for six.”

Turner reflected on his experience playing in what is quite possibly one of the best games of cricket of his life.

“It’s quite difficult to put into words what it meant to me. You play those games and you have to soak in the atmosphere,” he said.

“We played in front of 6000 people when most of us were used to just the opposing team and maybe some wives and kids.

“All of us country guys were awed by them (West Indies). We were bowling to our heroes and legends of the game. That doesn’t just happen every day.

“They were very interesting games and supremely enjoyable.”