David Willis started his cricket journey with Cardiff-Boolaroo District Cricket Club at the age of 14 and has made a tremendous contribution to the club over many years.
He is a life member and at the 60 Year Anniversary Dinner On September 25th 2009, David was selected in Cardiff Boolaroo team was comprised the best players to have donned the baggy blue cap
David played 2 seasons for Western Suburbs in Sydney Grade cricket and is the proud owner of first grade cap number 514.
Let’s find out more about David’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1963
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I was 9, I sprained my ankle on the Friday night before my first scheduled game and had to sit out the first few matches. When I did play my first game it was for the U/12 side, we played at the small ground inside the Watt Street Mental Hospital in Newcastle. Our opponents made about 4/130 off their allotted overs.
We were dismissed for just 6, sundries were top score with 3, and I was just one of many that made 0. Maybe I should have checked in for some therapy while I was there?
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
All my junior cricket was played with Warners Bay in Newcastle, then at age 14, along with a few mates from juniors, we decided to join Cardiff-Boolaroo CC and play grade cricket. My father, Bill also came back to play grade cricket from C & S cricket and captained our 4th’s and guided us youngsters along on how to play senior cricket and embrace the 2 day game.
I progressed up the grades over the next few seasons and became a regular in the C-B’s 1st grade side. At age 21, I decided to further my cricketing pursuits, travelling to England to play as an amateur with Chichester in the Sussex League with the 1st XI winning its first League Championship that season.
While in England, I was weighing up joining a Sydney grade club, either with Balmain or Western Suburbs. Pratten Park became home for the next 2 years, whilst doing the travelling back and forth from Newcastle to train and play. After 2 seasons at Wests, which taught me so much, with the likes of Test and State players – Wellham, Dyer, Gilbert, Matthews, Jones, plus other quality players at the club, Radcliffe, Dwyer, Douglas, Bull, Walsh, McLay and other up and comers, McNamara, Killen, Swan & Ryan, it was tough to crack it into the top grade.
I then decided to travel back to England with a work visa and had another stint with the lads at Chichester for 2 seasons. I returned to Cardiff-Boolaroo for the ‘87- ‘88 season, where I continued to play 1st grade through until the end of the ’02 – ’03 season. During this period, I was fortunate to play in many matches representing both Newcastle and NSW Country.
David Willis batting
In 1991 I was privileged to captain the Newcastle Cavaliers on their tour of the UK, and while over there got the urge to have another season at Chichester in ’92, when we won the Sussex League title again. In 1999, I married Jo and we moved to Croydon in Sydney, but ironically spent the next 4 seasons travelling back and forth to Newcastle to continue playing at the mighty C-B’s, a club of which I am now a proud Life Member. At age 40, I made the decision to reduce the travel and play cricket closer to home and joined the local Shires club, Burwood Briars. The Briars won 4 consecutive Club C’ships in those last 4 seasons I was able to play, when injuries finally got the better of me, but it was such a brilliant way to finish a career, captaining the 2’s to a Grand Final win in ’06 –’07, which was to be my last game of cricket.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
14 years old – playing 4th grade for C-B’s v Sth Lakes.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
16 years old - played for C-B’s against Charlestown at Walters Park, made a pair, dismissed in both innings by Jack Littlewood, who later became a great team-mate at C-B’s. We lost the match outright and I was back in 2nds for the next match.
22 years old - played for Wests against Mosman at Mosman Oval, took the first wicket of the match, opening the bowling with Murray Radcliffe, not a lot to report after that, we lost the match, my contribution with the bat was only 2.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
All-rounder, right hand middle-order bat, right arm medium outswingers, I figured that if you could bat, bowl and field well, it was hard to leave you out of the side and usually you could contribute something to the team.
What was your highest score in senior cricket? For which club and where?
135 not out v Ham-Wicks at Cardiff Oval batting at No.4, my brother Peter made 128 in the same innings batting at No. 3
David Willis batting
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket? For which club and where?
I took 8 for 31 for Chichester at Priory Park in the Sussex League in 1984.
Probably my most memorable return was 6-67 playing for NSW Country Colts v Metropolitan Colts at Manly Oval, this haul included the wickets of Darren Tucker, Rod Bower, Greg Geise, Mark O’Neil, Phil Marks & Gary Bensley – not a bad day’s work!
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
In the above match, Evan Gordon with a southerly behind him was a handful, not a big man but his high action and balanced leap at the crease made sure he delivered a lot of menacing deliveries.
Dave Gilbert was the other opening bowler and was just as quick when he got on at that end.
Rodney Hogg, faced him in Melbourne after his Test career was over, he was still firing on all cylinders – I managed to despatch some of his typical “warm-up” balls to the fence, but he soon cranked it up a couple of gears.
I should make mention of a number of quicks that I played against in Newcastle 1st grade that on their day made batting pretty difficult – Jack Littlewood, Neil Budden, Steve Christie, Darren Herbert, Peter March, Paul “Blocker” Wilson, Anthony Stuart, Kevin Bray & Mark Cameron.
Rodney Hogg
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Tom Shiner – batted against him in a Colts rep game, he got me in both innings, stumped and LBW, good variation, great control and flight.
Robert “Dutchy” Holland – such a fine bowler, could give it a rip and he often got turn and bounce on a placid pitch.
These 2 spinners stood out against any others that I played against.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Rod Bower – bowled to him in a couple of Colts rep matches, he made a 100 and an 80, so he really impressed. Whilst I eventually got his wicket in both matches it was extremely hard toil.
Greg Geise – had an awesome amount of talent. In Newcastle grade cricket he made hundreds against us in 3 consecutive seasons. We always went into those games with a plan of how we were going to bowl to him and get him out, but he always managed to master us with a mixture of solid defence and, at times, brutal aggression. He also knew how to count to six, so he managed to manipulate the strike very well and it is a wonder that his first-class career didn’t extend for many more years. We had a memorable game for Newcastle v ACT at Cahill Oval, when we made 8 for 665 with Greg making a faultless 217, I’m just thankful that I wasn’t on the receiving end of that onslaught!
Michael Slater – bowled to him when he was coming up through the NSW 2nd XI, he had an answer to anything I could bowl at him and it was no shock that he became such a prolific opener in Test cricket for Australia a few seasons later.
Greg Geise
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
There are two innings that are stamped on my memory.
Mark Curry – we played for NSW Country against the touring Wellington side from NZ. They were over for some matches against us, NSW and QLD, as a lead-up to their first-class season at home.
This match was played at Graham Park, Gosford, now the Central Coast Stadium. Batting first we started a little shakily with West Indian import, Winston Davis bagging 2 wickets with only 20 runs on the board.
“Prawns” came in to join skipper Greg Arms and by lunch they had turned things around significantly. Greg eventually made a stylish and authoritative hundred, but when he was dismissed by NZ international Gavin Larsen, I joined Mark at the crease, and he was just in a truly dominant mood. His innings of 224, comprising 34 fours and 9 sixes, was just pure, clean striking with almost every ball finding the middle of his bat. He annihilated their offie, with several balls landing in the bowling club. When he was finally out, I could sense a real relief from the fielding side. We batted on until nearing the end of day 1 and we eventually declared at 4/445 of 87 overs, 60 not out against my name.
Rob Gartrell (represented WA and TAS at Shield level) playing for Chichester in ’84 we went into the final League match of the season needing a win to secure the Championship title, a draw may not have been sufficient.
Batting first, Rob, once settled in, set about taking on the Worthing attack. He was clearly the best batsman in the Sussex League that season, but the situation needed something special from him. He played shots to all parts of the ground and just dominated the bowling. His second fifty came in just 19 balls and allowed us to declare early after just 35 overs of batting at 3 for 233. This gave us more time and overs to bowl them out and it took us right up to the 2nd last over to take the vital last wicket with them just 18 runs short of our total.
Mark Curry
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in grade cricket and you really had to knuckle down to survive?
Playing for Newcastle against Tasmania at Newcastle No. 1 Sports Ground, this was a warm-up game for them heading up to QLD for a Shield match. I went into the match in form with some good early season runs, batted at three, but failed in both innings, falling firstly to Chris Matthews and then Colin “Funky” Miller.
Felt a bit out of my depth at the crease and I think that was my last appearance for the Newcastle rep sides, but when fielding I got to watch the likes of Cox, Hills, Di Venuto & Ponting, who owned their game and made batting look relatively simplistic.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
In Sydney grade, Greg Dyer was a hard -working and consummate keeper, who should have played longer in the Australian team.
In Newcastle, Kerry Thompson was the No.1 gloveman when I came onto the 1st grade scene and then I would have to mention Stuey Bridges who was our ‘keeper during my time in the Newcastle and NSW Country sides and he rarely made a mistake and gave great support to the team.
Greg Dyer
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Gerard Price – Burwood Briars, was an inspirational leader, great club chairman, super competitive cricketer, loved winning, played hard and fair. Right up until his recent sad passing, he continued giving his all to the club despite his long battle with cancer.
Justin Langer – he came down to Chichester, playing for one of the visiting teams in our Cricket Week, he had debuted for WA the previous season. Even though this was just social cricket, I watched him warm-up and prepare to focus for the match and could see that he was so determined to succeed. Then, some 11 years later, I was in Guyana for the 1st Test match v the Windies, he was Man of the Match with scores of 146 & 78 not out. More recently, as the Australian coach I admire how much he has done to restore credibility in the performances of the team and win back the Ashes.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Really enjoyed my cricket playing in the rep sides under Greg Arms, he always led from the front and you knew that he was committed to winning and had the “buy-in” from the players in his team. Also, in club cricket, his Tah’s sides seemed to have the wood on us.
Greg Arms
Who has been your funniest teammate?
At C-B’s, Gavin Allen – hilarious.
At Wests, Matt Troy – could tell a good yarn and always had us in stitches with his jokes.
At Chichester - Ben Harris, brother of Chris, the NZ international, played with us in ’87, just MADDDD!
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Playing for the C-B’s against Belmont, we were in a 2nd innings run chase for an outright win, needing about 5 runs an over off 30. I arrived at the crease at 2 down for not many. Gary “Gus” Gilmour was bowling off his short run, this was near the end of his playing career and I managed to strike the first five deliveries of his over to various parts of the leg-side boundary.
As I walked by him, he declared to some of his team-mates, “Well at this rate, we’ll be in the bar early and have to buy this bloke the beers!”. The last ball of his over he held it back a bit and rolled the fingers across the seam, to which I smashed a straightish on-drive, at about waist height, which he gladly accepted in two hands – he threw the ball gleefully up in the air and just giggled. As I trudged past him on the way back to the sheds, I said “looks like I’m buying”.
“Too right” he said.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
Playing in a 1st grade Semi-Final at Cahill Oval v Charlestown, electing to bat first, we were getting worked over by their bowling attack. I was trying to dig in and play a real captain’s knock, but I copped a short one from Steve Mace, tried to evade it, but took it on the jaw.
Having to retire hurt and head off to the local hospital was not exactly what I had in mind for the day.
When I returned to the ground, we were still struggling and had lost another couple of wickets, so I padded up again, this time with my helmet on (Note: helmets are not much use to you when you leave them in your kit bag) and went in again when a wicket fell.
Naturally, they were keen to test me out again and I managed to get hit fair and square on the melon, trying to hook one. Not one of my better days, I thought, but then capped it all off by trying to nudge one off my hip past short leg and take off for a quick single to get down the other end, only to see Dave Marjoribanks stick out a hand, grab it and throw down the stumps with me standing like as statue out of my ground.
Who was your childhood hero?
Growing up in the Chappell era, Ian and Greg were batsmen that you wanted to emulate, along with DK Lillee, Doug Walters, Gary Gilmour and Rick McCosker who were all favourites. After that period, it was definitely Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Mike Hussey as the stand outs for me.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Gary Lineker - I’m a Spurs supporter and would think hearing about his footballing journey as a young apprentice through to becoming an England International player and the pressures he encountered from being a goal scorer would be fascinating.
Pat Cummins – great cricketer, would love to hear how he prepares for the modern game with its mix of Test cricket and the shorter versions and his insights on his team-mates and opponents.
Ron Barassi – I’m a Carlton supporter, would imagine he has some great yarns about his time as a player at Melbourne during their glory years and as a player and coach at Carlton, and how the game has changed.
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Kerry O’Keefe with Jim Maxwell, good banter and great insights on the game. Used to enjoy Drew Morphett as both a cricket and VFL commentator, he just made you feel like you were actually sitting at the MCG.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Fortunate to play at 2 Test venues, SCG – Newcastle v Gordon, in a Limited Overs Final. The Oval, London – Australia House v Surrey 2nd XI, both were memorable experiences.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
When Imran Khan was playing for NSW in a Shield game in Newcastle, I was able to bowl to him in the nets. Steve Waugh was the NSW 12th man, so he was the other “net” bowler. We both had the ball swinging about, but Imran just played effortlessly, much to the enjoyment of the throng of spectators that had gathered around to watch this display.
Newcastle Team celebrating after defeating NSW 2ndXI
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Winning the League in Sussex as previously mentioned and the other notable win was captaining the C-B’s to winning the one-day Tom Locker Cup in Newcastle in ’98 – ’99, the first trophy the club had won at the top level.
We made a competitive score of 196 on a slow outfield, then we opened our bowling with our spinner, Gavin Wilson and this paid off, keeping Lambton -New Lambton restricted for the first 15 overs. They were all out for 153 and the boy’s efforts made me feel incredibly proud.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
A few mates from the days at Chichester Priory Park, we have actually been trying to set-up a “re-union”, but COVID-19 has intervened, so that would be David Briance, Rob Gartrell and “Tearaway” Tim Anscombe.
NSW Country team - 1990 Australian Country Champions
What are your hobbies?
Travel, food and wine, watching sport - mainly on TV
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
You’re only as good as your next performance.
What is your occupation and who do you work for – we will give them a plug
Key Account Manager at Huhtamaki TP – distributors of disposable food packaging
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Sadly, not actively involved, I get to watch the odd game, but it’s not the same as playing and having your teammates around you. Maybe when I retire from work, I can devote time to help a club and give more back to the great game.
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Don’t discard players that haven’t “made it” by the age of 19 -20, many cricketers don’t develop their potential until they are in their mid-twenties.
Continue to nurture and support the game in the country areas.
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