A burly batsman with a fragile temperament, Keith Stackpole had quite an enterprising career for Australia. He had the power game to launch the ball to any part of the ground with effortless ease but strangely, hardly played ODIs despite having a successful Test career. Stackpole got picked initially for the all-round package that he brought to the table, he was a power-hitting middle order batsman who could bowl useful leg spin apart from being a really superb fielder. All of these qualities were on display on his Test debut during the Ashes series at home in 1965-66 and he played a crucial hand in Australia winning that game. As his career shaped up, Stackpole became more of a batsman who could occasionally roll his arm over. His bowling performance on debut remained his career best and that tells a story in itself.

Stackpole's initial success came as a middle order batsman but it was when he got moved to the opening slot that he was able to really step up as a cricketer. It was during the home series against West Indies in 1967 that Stackpole, backed by skipper Bill Lawry, set out to open for the first time in his international career. Since then, he remained an opener till his retirement for all barring one Test match. This move turned Stackpole's career around and came at a time when he was badly in need of a career revamp, especially after being ignored for the 1968 Ashes series. As an opener, Stackpole gradually became the pillar of the team's fortunes, producing several vital knocks even if not always entirely convincing. After a few successful years, his form dipped in 1973-74 with only a century and several low scores to show. He quit from the sport after the season ended and later on, became a hugely popular radio commentator.

By Hariprasad Sadanandan