Ian Davis

Ian Davis belonged to the category of Australian cricketers whose careers got marred by the Packer
series and once that ended, never got back to normal. His talent was spotted very early and after progressive backing, he made his first-class debut in 1973. Runs didn't come easily for him but Davis
was keen to work hard and his maiden ton came next year which also pushed his selection for the Test series against New Zealand. The debut series didn't go according to plan as he struggled considerably, barring a solitary half-century. His form in domestic cricket also faded away that year and he was soon dropped from the national side as well. Davis' career started the path of redemption when upon his recall, he was thrust up the order to open the innings. A maiden Test ton followed in the very first innings and thereafter, he became a consistent performer for the side though he never breached the three-figure mark again.

Davis' career could have gone a different route if he hadn't joined the World Series bandwagon in 1977. Once he went there, his form crumbled further and found himself dropped as well in the super Tests. He fared better in the shorter versions but overall, he didn't quite live up to the hype generated. Davis was one of the first batsmen to use protective headgear, a development that had to happen with the ultra aggressive fast bowling on show during the Packer series. After the extravaganza ended, the star players returned to their homes and Davis started attempting a national comeback that was being sabotaged by internal politics. He never got to play for Australia and after a few seasons in domestic cricket, he called it quits from the sport.