Robertson’s regret: beat brain cancer, foiled by COVID

Gavin Robertson’s return to the cricket commentary box has been cut short after just one day, thanks to Sydney’s COVID cluster.

Former Test cricketer Gavin Robertson has had to fly home from the Adelaide Test due to COVID restrictions.

Former Australian spinner Gavin Robertson beat a brain tumour to fight his way back to the commentary box – only to be on a plane home after one day.

Robertson, Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and experienced broadcaster Matt White are part of the SEN radio commentary team who returned to Sydney after the Northern Beaches COVID outbreak.

They will call the match out of SEN’s Sydney studios.

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Former Test cricketer Gavin Robertson has had to fly home from the Adelaide Test due to COVID restrictions. Source: Twitter

Robertson had a brain tumour the size of a golf ball removed after requiring urgent surgery when the bad news came through in May, 2019.

“I am really gutted,’’ Robertson said. “We were here loving the game we know with a bunch of mates. I have seen mates I have known for the last 25 years.

“I was really looking forward to catching up with people. It disappointing but you have to do the right thing.’’

Robertson, who is looking forward to getting back behind the mic in Sydney, had missed two years’ commentary and returned to the box in Adelaide on Thursday with some insightful analysis of Test spinner Nathan Lyon only a former Test tweaker could provide.

Gavin Robertson (R) had a tumour removed by renowned surgeon Charlie Teo. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Just being around the cricket scene in Adelaide was a joy for Robertson who well remembers that day his phone rang in Melbourne and it was Dr Charlie Teo, one of Australia’s leading brain surgeons.

The message was “get the next plane home’’ and Robertson underwent surgery soon after. Robertson says the experience taught him “tomorrow was never guaranteed’’ and that there was no point worrying about the “incidental’’ things in life.

White, who lives at Manly, had mixed emotions.

“I called my first day of Test cricket yesterday so I am gutted and buzzing at the same time,’’ White said.

White said the incident reminded him of a similar outbreak in the Australian Grand Prix this year, an event cancelled after an escalating series of concerns.

“The lessons learnt from the Formula One experience for me was that when there are a lot of moving parts you just cannot predict what is going to happen, not just today but the next 24 hours,’’ White said.

“There is a chance we would be right to stay but there is also a chance we would be stuck. I live in the Northern Beaches but are at the other end to where the hotspots are.’’