Wisden overview
Tall, angular and left-handed, Matthew Elliott bears both an uncanny likeness to Bill Lawry and a reputation as technically the best batsman in Australia. With his powers of concentration, sure footwork and free-flowing driving down the ground, he can make batting look absurdly simple, especially now that he has learned discretion on the hook. His Test career false-started when he wrecked his knee in a collision with Mark Waugh at Sydney in 1996-97, but he made two centuries and outscored everyone else on the 1997 Ashes tour. Subsequently, he had a torrid time against the opening attacks of South Africa and West Indies, and tumbled down the pecking order, where he remains amid rumblings about his personality. He still scores massively for Victoria. He was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1998, and twice Sheffield Shield player of the year. Greg Baum

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