'You deserve to walk off saying goodbye'

Healy wants suitable exits for 100-Test veterans

Cricinfo staff

January 9, 2007

Ian Healy's last wave as a Test player was in Zimbabwe © Getty Images

Ian Healy believes Australian players who have reached 100 Tests should be allowed to enjoy farewells similar to those of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer. Healy was denied a "dream little finish" when his 119-game career ended in Harare and the request for a home-Test goodbye at the Gabba in 1999 was refused.

Healy said "ridiculous" treatment resulted in the poorly staged exits of Allan Border (1994, Durban), Mark Waugh (2002, Sharjah) and David Boon (1996, Adelaide). "At the time I said it was dumb that Allan Border, David Boon and my own retirement wasn't done like that [SCG send-off] - it was ridiculous," he told AAP. "Mark Waugh was another one.

"I think if you are a 100-Test player you deserve to walk off the field saying goodbye. Maybe they have finally got it right."

Warne, McGrath and Langer were able to soak up the tributes at the SCG last week as Australia sealed the Ashes series 5-0. Healy's final appearance was in Zimbabwe - the first game of the 16-match winning streak under Steve Waugh - and he was replaced by Adam Gilchrist for the opening Test against Pakistan.

© Cricinfo

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Players/Umpires

David Boon

Allan Border

Ian Healy

Justin Langer

Glenn McGrath

Shane Warne

Mark Waugh

Series/Tournaments

England tour of Australia

Teams

Australia