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From the Archives, 1991: 'Biggles' fly-past backfires on Gower

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First published in the Sydney Morning Herald on January 22, 1991.

A fly-past over Carrara in two ex-World War II Tiger Moth biplanes by England cricketers David Gower and John Morris landed the Test batsmen in hot water on the Gold Coast last night.

An angry England team manager Peter Lush was unaware of the pair's low-altitude joy ride over the pitch to salute teammate Robin Smith's long-awaited century until questioned by journalists.

Biggles & Co ... Gower (right) and colleague Allan Lamb at the team Christmas party earlier on the tour.

Biggles & Co ... Gower (right) and colleague Allan Lamb at the team Christmas party earlier on the tour.Credit:Jason Childs

"I know nothing about it," Lush said. "I'll investigate it. Of course, I wouldn't have approved it."

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Gower and century-maker Morris left Carrara Oval yesterday morning after their respective dismissals for 13 and 132 and chartered separate biplanes at $75 a flight to "buzz" teammates Smith and Allan Lamb, still batting against Queensland.

With Gower and Morris in the front passenger seats, the pilots approached the arena—Gower's pilot steering his plane between two of the 65m floodlight towers and below the level of the banks of lights.

Morris's pilot was wary of turbulence and flew just above the towers.

With the shadow of the planes sweeping across the pitch, Smith (108) and Lamb (55) stopped and glanced up to watch their teammates, Smith turning his bat as if discharging a weapon at Gower's Tiger Moth.

Gower said last night: "It was a nice day for flying. I was very relaxed, flying by the seat of my pants."

"It was a literal buzz. The pilot had the controls. I couldn't reach back for them. But I think I'll take the scheduled flights home."

It was decided to abort a proposal that a water bomb be dropped on the playing field.

But without official approval, the prank sadly backfired last night with Lush conducting an investigation into the "Biggies and Bertie affair".

The possibility of disciplinary action against Gower and Morris ruined one of the best days of the tour for England who are poised for victory over the strong Queensland team.

England (430 to Queensland's 286) led by 144 runs on the first innings and then left the Maroons sagging in the heat at 5-94 with today's play remaining for England to secure their initial first-class win of the tour.

Century ... John Morris compiles his hundred against Queensland prior to his escapade.

Century ... John Morris compiles his hundred against Queensland prior to his escapade.Credit:Simon Renilson

Stuart Law (36no) and Ian Healy (26no) resume this morning with a long battle ahead to save the game and with little recognised batting support remaining in the crisis.

As with Morris's century, it was Robin Smith's first hundred on tour and the 28th of his first-class career. It has undoubtedly saved Smith's immediate Test future and the hard-hitting right-hander is expected now to bat at three in the fourth Test in Adelaide, starting on Friday, after Graham Gooch and Michael Atherton with Wayne Larkins losing his position to Lamb.

Smith said: "I started to wonder where the next run was coming from. One of my problems is that I worry, I was so tight and tense. I feel a lot better now."

Smith never looked in difficulty throughout his 212-minute performance, cutting and driving aggressively, although off-spinner Peter Taylor dropped a high return catch when he was only 23.

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Queensland were shaken by Martin Bicknell's two wickets in his first two overs including that of Graeme Hick (14) after Gladstone Small's initial breakthrough against opener Peter Cantrell (8).

England won the match by 10 wickets but for Gower and Morris, the damage was done. They were fined £1,000 each, the maximum punishment allowed by their contracts. For Morris, a junior player who received £15,000 for the whole four-month trip, it was quite a financial hit.

Later on, at the Perth Test, an aircraft flew around the WACA with a banner that read "Gower And Morris Are Innocent - OK".

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