Wisden overview
Geoff Lawson, an optometrist by training, suffered from tunnel vision, red mist and blind spots as much as any good fast bowler. But in the latter part of his career he showed much insight and perspective too, and so had a big impact on Australian cricket. A tall, lively-paced outswing bowler from Wagga Wagga, he came to attention in 1978-79 in the then-approved way, by hitting Geoff Boycott, and went on to take 180 Test wickets and one blow to the jaw for Australia. As captain of New South Wales, he insisted on a "get on or get out" philosophy that not only won the state titles, but also strongly influenced the methods of Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh as Test captains. Known to all as "Henry" after the Australian bush poet, he is still near to the game. Greg Baum

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