 Fred Titmus had had great success with the bat on his previous tours in 1962-63 and 1965-66 and had a Test average of 48.89 in Australia.Chris Old was once liken to Ian Botham in his ability as an all-rounder and made six first class centuries.It was impossible to recall when the initial selection of an England touring party to Australia had included five out-and-out quick bowlers.