Introduction
Anthony Longford Mann (born 8 November 1945) is an Australian former cricketer who played in 4 Tests from 1977 to 1978.
He was only the second man in history to score a century in a Test match after being sent in as nightwatchman.
Career
Born in Middle Swan, Western Australia, Mann was a leg break bowler with a sharp googly. He was almost selected for 1969-70 Australian Second XI Tour of New Zealand when the Test players were in India and South Africa. A useful batsman, he made the Test side during the first season of the Packer schism.
He was selected to play against the touring Indian side, being picked over Jim Higgs due in part because of his better batting. Mann took 3-12 in the first innings of the first test and also making useful scores of 19 and 26 in a closely fought match. He was less successful in the second innings as a bowler, taking 0-52.
In the second test he found the going harder against the Indian batsmen, taking 0-63 and 0-49. However he achieved cricket immortality in the second innings, when Australia was chasing 339 to win the game. Mann came to the wicket as nightwatchman when Australia was 1-13 and did not leave until they were 2-172 by which time Mann had scored 105 runs, helping lay the platform for an Australian victory.
He was used sparing as a bowler in the third test and had a forgettable fourth test, being dismissed for a pair and taking 0-101 with the ball. He was dropped in favour of fellow West Australian Bruce Yardley for the fifth test and never played for Australia again.
His father was Jack Mann, a pioneer of the wine industry in Western Australia.