It could never have been easy batting anywhere in the 1980s and 1990s against the might of a West Indian quartet of fast bowlers who dominated world cricket for 15 years.
But one batsman who handled the situation well was Australia's number three batsman David Boon who was asked the question of how he felt facing the likes of Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Patrick Patterson, Curtly Ambrose and Colin Croft.
"Scared? No. Apprehensive, fear of failure, did I have enough life insurance and was I paid up!" he told an estimated crowd of 200 people at Ball Park, the home of cricket in Corowa, last Saturday night.
"They all bowled around 140kmph. Joel Garner would let you have an occasional one at about 150kmph just to keep you on your toes. Colin Croft would rather kill you than get you out. Andy Roberts hurt me."
But the cricket slide of those enormous times after the time of the world's best ever allround cricketer, West Indian Sir Garfield Sobers, showed the tough, talented Boon capably handling the situation.
"There were always four of them. Sir Donald Bradman told us he was proud of us whereas in his day he said there was just the one fast bowler at a time,” Boon said.
Greatest bowlers Boon faced were Patterson ("he was so quick"), Alan Donald (South Africa), Wakar Younis and Wasim Akram (both Pakistan). "Malcolm Marshall was the best bowler I ever faced. He was so consistent. It was very sad when he passed away at such a young age (41, due to cancer)."
The champion number three batsman loves catching up with his-day opposition cricketers.
"It seems surreal seeing them when they hurled thunderbolts at me!" he said.
Boon also expressed his sadness at the passing of his great mate, Shane Warne, Dean Jones, Rod Marsh and Andrew Symons.
Boon gave a comprehensive insight into his upbringing and career, saying he, as the second family member to represent Australia, had his mother, who represented the nation in hockey in the 1950s, as the "rock".
"Mum never let me get ahead of myself. One day, in Brisbane, after getting out, I was annoyed. I get back to the dressing room and my phone rings. It was my Mum. She said 'I lip-read you' and hung up the phone!"
For the record, 62-year-old Boon amassed 7422 runs at an average of 43.6 against unbelievably good bowlers from all nations, making 21 centuries - including four in a row to help win him international cricketer of the year - and 32 fifties. Also a great close in fieldsman, as exampled in The Free Press last week.
And in just six overs of bowling in Test cricket, he claimed one wicket and said the number would have doubled but the umpire believed the particular delivery was so slow the Ibw appeal was turned down as the umpire said the ball would not have dislodged a bail!
He holds extremely high opinions of Alan Border and Bob Simpson, the latter, who unfortunately has dementia, making "a wonderful contribution to Australian cricket". He rates Glen McGrath and Warne as the best Australian bowlers in his day but singled out Jason Gillespie and an "underrated" Tim May. He said there were many great Aussie bowlers, including Lillee and Thomson, before his time.
Boonie was so well received by the Corowa and district crowd, mingling with the audience, being photographed with locals, signing autographs and helping the local economy’s beer sales.
As the half time interval was approaching, the rain came. "The second half was even better because the people were closer to Boonie as we were inside the club," club president Paul Lavis said.
"He's a bit different than his image. He's a very smart man, very articulate, chairman of Tasmania cricket, match referee, knows his finances. It was a sensational night."
Mick Seymour, 83, enjoyed the show. "He was a bit of a larrikin, but proved he could play at the top of world cricket and told us so much about his career, likes and dislikes. I loved the night," said Mick who played cricket for Corowa for nearly three decades.
After officiating as match referee In a New Zealand vs England Test match last Wednesday, it was Corowa, for the first time, on Saturday for the champion fighter for Tasmania and Australia, and cricket in general, whose advice to youngsters is to "do the best you can and enjoy the game"
"t's a lovely little ground here," Boon told The Free Press.
It was great having you here, Boonie.