He's Victorian, left-handed, technically watertight, big-beaked and bears a spooky resemblance to Bill Lawry. Where Lawry's international days finished with his sacking as both captain and opener, Matthew Elliott's Test career also had an unhappy 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 until eclipsed by Michael Bevan the following season - and his inclusion among Australia's 25 contracted players. Given a chance against Sri Lanka at Darwin that winter, he managed 1 and 0 and again slipped down the pecking order to finish with 21 Tests and a largely unfulfilled career. His entry in 1996-97 was startling and in his second Test, when not out on 78, 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 know-how. "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. After 12 seasons with Victoria he lost motivation and fought a bitter battle for a move to South Australia as a player-coach at the end of 2004-05, succeeding only after winning a grievance tribunal appeal. His first year with the Redbacks was not happy either, a knee injury cutting into a season that finished with returns well below his lofty expectations. He was axed from the Pura Cup side in his second season at South Australia after a disastrous campaign that featured 193 runs at 13.78 from seven games, but his one-day form was superb. In 10 limited-overs appearances Elliott made 465 at 51.66, including two centuries, and he was named the Ford Ranger Cup Player of the Year. Elliott retired from Australian first-class cricket in February 2008 but signed up with the unofficial Indian Cricket League later in the month.
Cricinfo staff February 2008

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Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1998

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Feb 13, 2008 Matthew Elliott leads the Redbacks onto the field in his final one-day match © Getty Images

Feb 13, 2008 A bashful Matthew Elliott takes the applause as he leaves the field for the last time in a state match © Getty Images

Dec 23, 2007 Matthew Elliott's 94 led South Australia to victory © Getty Images

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