ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

In a selfless act of charity, one of the greatest top order batsmen the nation will ever produce has toyed with the idea of making a Test return to ‘steady the ship’ – which hasn’t stopped rocking since the ball-tampering saga first made waves two weeks ago.

Neil Harvey, the last remaining member of the 1948 ‘Invincibles’ team that toured England, has thrown his hat in the ring today after learning former Test captain Michael Clarke was doing the same.

Clarke has since distanced himself from the plans.

However, that’s done little to dishearten Harvey, who is a few months shy of his 90th birthday.

“What these lads need now is a bit of leadership,” said Harvey.

“I think the team would benefit from my inclusion. My grandson and I have been in the nets all weekend. I got him to put a few through the bowling machine for me. Everything from your lethargic Steve Waugh mediums to a 100mph warm-up ball you’d get from Jeff Thomson,”

“I’m ready to go, waiting for the phone to ring.”

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland told reporters this morning that he hadn’t immediately returned Mr Harvey’s phone calls.

More to come.