team. He did not play in the end. Ritchie was overlooked for the Australian tour to New Zealand in early 1982. However a century against Tasmania helped ensure his selection on the 1982 tour to Pakistan. Ritchie finished the season with 839 first class runs in ten games at an average of 59. 1982 Tour of Pakistan The leading batsmen on the tour were Kim Hughes, Allan Border, Bruce Laird, John Dyson and Graeme Wood. Ritchie and Wayne Phillips were the two young batsmen. "They will be given every opportunity for the tests", said Hughes. 59 against the Pakistan Cricket Board XI impressed and Ritchie was picked to make his test debut. He scored 4 and 17. During the game he threw a stone at an umpire to demonstrate what was being thrown at him from the crowd. Ritchie kept his spot in the side for the second test, although there was some talk he would be replaced by Peter Sleep. His maiden test century was the one bright spot of Australia's defeat. However he failed twice in the third test, making 26 and 18. Ritchie was hit by projectiles while fielding at third man during the 3rd ODI, which was abandoned. Ritchie kept his place in the Australian team to play England in the first test. However also in the twelve was David Hookes who was in very good form. Despite 67 and 46 against Tasmania, Ritchie was made 12th man for the first test. Ritchie was picked in the side for the second test but was again made twelfth man. He was not picked in the squad for the remainder of the summer. That summer was a disappointing one for Ritchie, despite 55 against Victoria. He was unable to force his way into the Australian test or one day sides, and was overlooked for selection on the tour to Sri Lanka. However he was picked in a Young Australian side to tour Zimbabwe. Ritchie played well on the Zimbabwe tour, scoring 69 against Zimbabwe. Ritchie undertook a fitness campaign over the winter and lost several kilos. He began the 1983–84 summer brilliantly scoring 196 for Queensland against the touring Pakistan side. He followed this with four half centuries, and at one stage his first class run tally for the season was 451 at an average of 112. He then scored centuries against Victoria and NSW. "My motto now