Wisden overview
Bruce Laird was "stumpy" by stature, nature and nickname. He was a brave and correct opener who, because of two years with World Series Cricket, did not make his Test debut until he was nearly 30. With West Indies in the prime of their ascendancy, and protective equipment still rudimentary, it was not a great time to be facing the new ball, but Laird distinguished himself with 92 in his first innings - as near as he would get to a century - and was Australia's most successful batsman in that 1979-80 series. Later, he played in the Centenary Test at Lord's. Gideon Haigh

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