He’s Victorian, left-handed, technically watertight, big-beaked and bears a spooky resemblance to Bill Lawry. But where Lawry’s international days finished with his sacking as both captain and opener, Matthew Elliott’s Test career might yet - against all odds - have a happy ending. His triumphant summer of 2003-04 began with him proclaiming that, at age 32, he was "past it". It climaxed with 1381 Pura Cup runs - an all-time, all-comers record - and his inclusion among Australia’s 25 contracted players. He is now batting more freely than ever, no mean feat from the man who so memorably lit up the 1997 Ashes series, and is poised to return to the top of the order if there's one false move. Given a chance against Sri Lanka at Darwin, he managed 1 and 0 and again slipped down the pecking order. Elliott’s Test career began in 1996-97 with a fall of his own. Not out on 78, and playing only his second game, he ploughed straight into Mark Waugh and mangled his knee. Two precocious, hook-laden centuries at Lord’s and Headingley eased the pain, earmarking him as a surefooted, elegant yet powerful driver. Within two years he was on the sidelines again - this time, seemingly, for good. A naturally reserved character, the touring treadmill grated and he is rumoured to have had trouble fitting in with the dressing-room culture. Significantly, during his 2003-04 renaissance, he frequently led the Pura Cup-winning Victorians into their victory song. He put his success down to better relaxation and knowhow. "I’ve sort of scunged a few runs," he said - enough, in fact, for him to be judged Pura Cup Player of the Year for a record third time. Elliott is the only Victorian batsman to make the Test side in the past 12 years and, along with Dean Jones and the ill-fated Wayne Phillips, one of only three in the past two decades.

Retired to make room for Black Orc.