The premise involved Birmingham impersonating and satirising the Channel Nine cricket commentary team, particularly Richie Benaud and Tony Greig.
Tony Greig was of the opinion that they would make cricket more dangerous by encouraging bowlers to bounce the batsmen.
In those days there were no sanctions against cricketers who visited South Africa, and Robins' teams included players of high quality, including such names as Bob Willis, Brian Close, Tony Greig and Trevor Chappell.
His cricketing nous was used by both Tony Lewis and Tony Greig when they led the national team, but the appointment of Mike Brearley to the role in 1977 appeared to indicate that Fletcher's further involvement would be limited.
As befits the name (a reference to the non-playing reserve in an eleven-player cricket side), Birmingham particularly focuses on cricket commentators such as Richie Benaud, Bill Lawry and Tony Greig.
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Their plans are interrupted briefly by an injury crisis for the touring English cricket side (described as a "complete spare parts side") which sees Tony Greig and Mark Nicholas, as well as Graham Gooch being recruited into the team for a test being held at the WACA Ground, without much success.
Knott helped England win the Ashes in England in 1977 but had been persuaded by England colleague Tony Greig to join Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket.