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Australian cricket legend Ian Healy has recalled his brutal snubbing which saw the wicketkeeper denied a farewell Test in Brisbane.
Healy, 61, hoped to play the first Test of the 1999-2000 summer against Pakistan at the Gabba in front of family and friends before retiring - but selectors, namely Trevor Hohns, had other ideas.
Adam Gilchrist replaced Healy in the star-studded Aussie XI, and went onto enjoy a brilliant career at international level.
While honest enough to admit his form at the time had tapered off, Healy hoped to add to his tally of 119 Tests in familiar surroundings.
Speaking on Code Sports' Sacked podcast, Healy felt the decision to overlook him was a 'dumb' one.
'My last year (at Test level) was a tough one and on my last tour of Zimbabwe (earlier in 1999) I knew I was a bit off,' he recalled.
Australian cricket legend Ian Healy has recalled his brutal snubbing in 1999 which saw the wicketkeeper denied a farewell Test in Brisbane
Healy hoped to play the first Test of the 1999-2000 summer against Pakistan at the Gabba - but selectors had other ideas, with Adam Gilchrist ushered into the XI
Healy's version of events recalls interim coach Allan Border agreeing to the wicketkeeper's wish, but national selection chairman Trevor Hohns elected to draft in Gilchrist
'My batting was off, but my 'keeping was fine.
'They (selectors) then said they would give me the chance to retire before the Brisbane Test.... I wasn't going to play.
'Was I dirty? Not as dirty as I thought. (It was) just dumb. Why the hurry? I thought it was just a dumb decision.'
Healy later admitted the romance behind a final Test in Brisbane would have been the perfect way to go out, but it wasn't to be.
The Queenslander was so confident he would play, he ordered a new baggy green to mark the occasion.
More than 25 years later, it remains unworn.
Healy maintains interim coach Allan Border intimated his request would be approved - but national selection chairman Hohns elected to draft in Gilchrist.
On debut, Gilchrist was later booed by sections of the crowd at the Gabba, with many furious Healy had been dropped.
The booing was soon replaced by cheering, with Gilchrist belting 81 runs off just 88 balls.
He showcased his powerful and aggressive batting style, and a star was born at Test level.
Some 96 Tests later for Gilchrist - which included over 5500 runs, 379 catches and 37 stumpings - Hohns' call was tough - but many would say ultimately the right one.
