The term "roller-coaster career" would probably rarely be more applicable to a player in first-class cricket than Sydney-born offspinner Gavin Robertson. After initially fighting a losing campaign to gain full recognition from the New South Wales selectors, Robertson's career essentially took off in Tasmania, to where he relocated at the start of the 1989-90 season. It was there that he established for himself his reputation as an accurate finger-spinner with a penchant for bowling tightly over sustained periods. On Tasmania's generally batsman-friendly pitches, he never produced quite the rush of wickets for which he was truly hoping; what such surfaces did afford him the chance to do though was emphasise his determination and his complementary talents as a fine lower-order batsman. Following a return to New South Wales in 1991-92, the regular berth in the Blues' squad which had previously eluded him did ultimately beckon. This brought with it a string of further rewards for a time, including an appearance in two Mercantile Mutual Cup-winning sides and one triumphant Sheffield Shield team. It even resulted in call-ups to the national team for four Tests and a string of one-day international tournaments during the late 1990s. But, although his offspinning skills reflected incremental improvement, he continued to wage a tough battle to retain his spot in his state's first eleven for much of the period. All the while, a burgeoning career in the Sydney sporting media illustrated signs of filling the breach.
John Polack

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Oct 20, 2000 Gavin Roberston - Portrait 2000 © Getty Images

Dec 2, 1999 Robertson fields a shot from Laxmann, New South Wales v Indians, 1999/2000 © Getty Images

Gavin Robertson - Portrait © New South Wales Cricket Association

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