Remembering Peter Roebuck on his first death anniversary

It is one year since cricketer-turned-writer Peter Roebuck died in tragic circumstances while on tour in South Africa during the Test series between the Proteas and the men from Down Under

Remembering Peter Roebuck on his first death anniversary

On his death anniversary, we remember our departed columnist by presenting some of his finest lines.

Read on…

Peter Roebuck.

Madness, chaos, calamity and bizarre were the sorts of words thrown about Newlands as the Australians collapsed to 21 for nine. A few others might be added, including inept, irresolute, reckless, feckless and foolish.
Roebuck’s description on Australia’s batting performance in the Cape Town Test of the 2011-12 seriesu00a0

Nowadays the players are professionals, fit, seasoned, trained and surrounded by advisors. It is just about conceivable that they might fall for 80 or 90, as did the hosts in their first innings.
More of Roebuck on Australia’s disaster at Cape Town

The Melbourne Cup might stop a nation. India versus Pakistan in the World Cup stops a subcontinent.
Roebuck’s preview to the India vs Pakistan 2011 World Cup semi-final

Nerves taut, anxiety nibbling, nightmares lurking, India scratched and scraped its way into the World Cup final. On the field it was not pretty.
Roebuck’s summary of India’s win over Pakistan in the 2011 World Cup semi-final

Rock stars rapidly enter the twilight world of agents, parties, wealth and appearances but they are not expected to bowl 20 overs at high pace to top-class batsmen on flat pitches. How is a lad from a humble background supposed to handle the sudden change? No book has been written about that.
Roebuck referring to young Ishant Sharma during Australia’s tour of India in 2010-11

Beyond comparison it was the ugliest performance put up by an Australian side for 20 years. The only surprising part of it is that the Indians have not packed their bags and gone home. There is no justice for them in this country, nor any manners.
Roebuck blasting Ricky Ponting’s team in the controversial Sydney Test of 2007-08.

The miracle is not that cricket has its problems; the miracle is that the game holds together at all.
Roebuck on the state of the game before Sharad Pawar took over as ICC chief

Sachin Tendulkar is the most complete of batsmen. His strength lies in his ability to combine the pragmatic and the ideal. Moreover he does so without undue strain. Mozart strove to exalt but did not forget to entertain. Nature prevents Tendulkar from producing an ugly stroke.
Roebuck on Sachin Tendulkar

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