It was 1984. I was 12 years old, in Year 8 and a friend of mine had a tape deck. It’s between third and fourth period I think, he said “You’ve gotta listen to this”. I thought “what the f**k!… I don’t remember Ritchie Benaud being this funny….and dropping the F bomb like it’s everyday conversation”. That was my first introduction to The 12th Man.

Ever since, I’ve always made sure I got his new albums as soon as they were released. I love sport, just like most red blooded Australians, it’s in our DNA, and I love it when someone takes the piss out of someone else – all in good fun of course – so really it’s a match made in heaven (or Australia as it were). Over the years Billy Birmingham has achieved the incredible feat of debuting every 12th Man album at #1. That’s 7 albums at #1! No other Australian recording artist has done this. Where else but in Australia could this happen?

Favourite 12th Man moments? Ritchie “Typical stinking f**king hot day here today in Bombay”. Bill Lawry on Merv Hughes “I love him, I want to boof him, get him up here”.
Fave sub continent cricketer name “Ramatunga Downthe Throata”.