Paul Sheahan had a bizarre career - he captured the imagination of people around him during his First-class days with his strokeplay and even showed glimpses of it for Australia, but faded away soon and retired at a shockingly young age of 26 despite having looked in good shape. In case you think it was due to some personal reasons or health issues, it was neither. Instead, Sheahan quit from the sport to focus on a teaching career which he executed over the next decade or so with a lot of success. The Victorian had a definite class to his batting and his shot-making was unique in terms of the visual quality that it brought to the table. Unfortunately, as is the case with most talented batsmen, temperament was an issue with Sheahan and this vulnerability cut short what was shaping up to be a really promising career.

After a fine start to his First-class career that earned him a Test debut in 1967, Sheahan translated that form into the big stage as well in his first season. He got initiated in the home series against India and the young man ripped off a few delightful half-centuries, followed by a sublime 88 in the first Test of the Ashes tour in 1968. It was a frenetic yet admirable run of form since debut before the law of averages started to catch up. Sheahan's temperamental woes compounded his poor form and coincidentally, it took another India series, this time in the sub-continent for him to regain his touch. He also stroked his first Test ton on that trip although that was followed by another lean patch.

Sheahan kept finding himself in and out of the side, making his final comeback as an opener after having been a middle order batsman all those years prior. A fine century against Pakistan at the MCG promised a lot but then came the shocking retirement. Sheahan wanted to focus on his teaching career and served in several esteemed educational institutions. Geelong College (Victoria) along with St. Peter's College (Adelaide) were his initial work places while also serving in England for Westminster School. However, his longest service came for the reputed Melbourne Grammar School where he performed as the Headmaster for more than a decade.

By Hariprasad Sadanandan