The Great Game Called Cricket...

David BoonDavid Boon

Australia

Player profile

Full name David Clarence Boon
Born December 29, 1960, Launceston, Tasmania
Current age 48 years 90 days
Major teams Australia, Durham, Tasmania
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm offbreak

Batting and fielding averages Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St
Tests 107 190 20 7422 200 43.65 18116 40.96 21 32 822 2 99 0
ODIs 181 177 16 5964 122 37.04 9157 65.13 5 37 494 16 45 0
First-class 350 585 53 23413 227 44.00 68 114 283 0
List A 313 303 30 10236 172 37.49 9 68 82 0

Bowling averages Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10
Tests 107 3 36 14 0 - - - 2.33 - 0 0 0
ODIs 181 7 82 86 0 - - - 6.29 - 0 0 0
First-class 350 1153 696 14 2/18 49.71 3.62 82.3 0 0
List A 313 280 266 4 2/44 2/44 66.50 5.70 70.0 0 0 0

Career statistics Test debut Australia v West Indies at Brisbane, Nov 23-26, 1984 scorecard
Last Test Australia v Sri Lanka at Adelaide, Jan 25-29, 1996 scorecard
Test statistics
ODI debut Australia v West Indies at Melbourne, Feb 12, 1984 scorecard
Last ODI West Indies v Australia at Kingstown, Mar 15, 1995 scorecard
ODI statistics
First-class span 1978/79 - 1998/99
List A span 1978/79 - 1998/99

Profile

Possibly Tasmania's all-time favourite cricketing son, David Boon was a pugnacious right-handed batsman who served his state and country with enormous distinction. He was not always the most stylish player, but for what he lacked in fluency he more than compensated with his ardour for occupying the crease and accumulating runs when they were most needed. As an 18 year old, Boon played a starring role in Tasmania's history-making Gillette Cup win in 1978-79, the state's first interstate one-day title, and he never really looked back over the course of an elite-level career which spanned 17 years. Among many highlights were his roles in four Ashes series wins, particularly the 1989 triumph and his honour in hitting the series-winning runs; his flawless unbeaten 184 in the Bicentenary Test of 1988; and his Man-of-the-Match winning effort in the 1987 World Cup final. Predominantly in the No. 3 position, Boon's durability was a vital ingredient in Australia's resurgence as a cricketing power in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His courage was often at the core of Australian performances and it was common to see his belligerent square cutting, driving and pulling upsetting the rhythm of even the finest of bowlers.

Aside from a range of triumphs with Australia during 107 Tests and 181 ODIs, Boon also led Durham in the English County Championship between 1997 and 1999, guiding the side to its best finish in the last of these three years. He was also appointed to the post of Tasmania captain at different ends of his career and was at the helm when his state enjoyed a fruitful first-class season in 1997-98. After retiring from all cricket following the completion of the 1999 county program, Boon accepted a position in marketing with the Tasmanian Cricket Association in Hobart and in 2000 replaced Geoff Marsh, his mate and former opening partner, as an Australia selector. His legend also lives on at the NTCA ground in his home city of Launceston where a major stand has been named after him.
John Polack

Notes

Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1994