Allan Border in heartbreaking news after Parkinson's Disease reveal
The iconic cricket figure has made the devastating reveal to the Australian public.
Australian cricket icon Allan Border has made the heartbreaking reveal he has suffered from Parkinson's Disease for the last seven years and doesn't expect to live past 80. The former Australia captain revealed to the public has been battling the disease since 2016 and cut back on public appearances.
The iconic captain is held in high-esteem in the cricket world and was the first player ever to reach 11,000 test runs. The stoic Aussie leader has often kept his life private from the public, but revealed the sad news on Friday.
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"I'm a pretty private person and I didn't want people to feel sorry for me sort of thing," the 68-year-old told Newscorp. "Whether people care you don't know. But I know there'll come a day when people will notice."
Border admitted his colleague and Fox Sports reporter Steve Crawley told him at a dinner last week that his good friends had already noticed the signs. "I get the feeling I'm a hell of a lot better off than most," Border said.
"At the moment I'm not scared, not about the immediate future anyway. I'm 68. If I make 80, that'll be a miracle. I've got a doctor friend and I said if I make 80, that'll be a miracle, and he said, 'That will be a miracle.' No way am I going to get another 100, that's for sure. I'll just slip slowly into the west."
The news was met with sadness by Australia's Test team in England after play on Friday with bowler Mitchell Starc addressing the news. "It's sad to hear one of the greats of Australian cricket and certainly a big character in the world of cricket," Starc said. "All wishes go out to his family as well."
Cricket world rallies around Allan Border
The cricket world was quick to rally around the legendary figure having been a symbol of the Aussie team throughout the 80s and beyond.
Best wishes to Allan Border who has revealed he’s been battling Parkinson’s disease 🙏#Ashes pic.twitter.com/myhW2qCXiX
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) June 30, 2023
Thinking of the great Allan Border and his family, he was always a brilliant player and competitor who wished for no fanfare. This latest battle with Parkinson’s disease again has been and no doubt will continue to be fought without the bright lights. 🇦🇺 loves you AB ⛳️🤛🏼
— Tim Gilbert (@TimgGilbert) June 30, 2023
Gut wrenching to read that former Aussie skipper Allan Border has been suffering from Parkinson's disease for the past seven years.
As the ultimate Aussie battler, hoping, like everyone else, that he gives this horrid little disease a real fight! pic.twitter.com/4vWMV9aLYT— Dan Redford (@danredford70) June 30, 2023
Very sorry to hear Allan Border has Parkinson’s disease. He was a cherished member of the Essex team in the mid to late 80s as well as one of Australia and cricket’s great batsmen. I know we all wish him well in the days ahead….
— Derek Pringle (@derekpringle) June 30, 2023
Had a pleasure to meet the great man once outside the Gabba before a Sheffield Shield game when we were driving around Australia in 95. We asked him for a photo, he said, “Yes, but only if you hurry up.” Still brings a smile to my face. Best wishes to AB
— Robert Coe (@RobertACoe) June 30, 2023
Sad to hear, great player, great competitor.
— Gary Glasgow (@GPDecorating) June 30, 2023
After debuting in 1978, the tenacious, stubborn left-hander racked up 27 hundreds and 63 half-centuries in the Baggy Green.
He reluctantly took over from Kim Hughes as Test captain in the summer of 1984-85 and is credited for reviving Australia's fortunes during one of the country's leanest periods in the sport's history.
Border skippered Australia to an improbable 1987 World Cup one-day title triumph in India and Pakistan before leading Australia - famously as Captain Grumpy - to an even more unlikely Ashes series win in England two years later.
The national sporting treasure retired after a 16-year, 156-Test career in 1994 with a phenomenal 50.56 batting average before serving as a respected long-term national selector.
with AAP
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