Ronnie Davis made his first grade debut playing for Fairfield Liverpool against Petersham Marrickville on 26 September 1987. He is the proud owner of Fairfield first grade cap number 26.
He took 182 first grade wickets at an average of 22.76 and took 5 wickets in an innings on 10 occasions.
Ronnie holds the two best match performances with the ball for Fairfield taking 11 for 139 against Sutherland in February 1992 and 10 for 72 against Petersham Marrickville in October 1990.
Let’s find out more about Ronnie’s journey in the game
Canley Heights RSL and Sporting Club are proud sponsors of Fairfield Liverpool Cricket Club
What year you were born?
1968
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
It was for Mount Pritchard Under 10s. I was 7 years old and didn’t bat or bowl. I think I was there to make the numbers up, but I enjoyed it.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I played all of my junior Cricket for Mount Pritchard & Busby and then went into Grade Cricket in 1984. I played with Fairfield Liverpool and in 1990 I was selected in the NSW Squad. I played in a few 2nd XI games however a few injuries which probably cost me more time in the squad.
In 1997 I moved to the UK and played as club professional for a few years. I played for Stayley CC, Little Hulton CC, Chorley CC, Baxenden CC, Leigh CC, Bootle CC, Colwyn Bay CC.
I then moved back to Australia and joined Manly Warringah for a few enjoyable years. Now I just play masters cricket for Georges River.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
15
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I was 17 and it wasn’t the greatest start. 2 ducks, but I will never forget my 1st First Grade wicket, Bronco D’Jura. I injured my ankle during that game which took a bit of gloss off it for me. It was a dream to play in the top grade against some very talented players.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Fast bowler who thought he was batting all-rounder. Seriously I was bowler who developed his batting each year. I knew I didn’t have the talent to play at a higher level, I just wanted to be the best I could be.
Brett Lack on Ronnie Davis
Ronnie was the type of fast bowler you wanted in your attack not in the opposing sides. Quick. Skiddy and being a little bloke always a chance of being badged.
I’ve seen Ronnie bowl some magnificent spells but one day at Waitara v Northern District he was bowling rapid. Mark Taylor fell to Ronnie in both innings for a pair caught in close by yours truly and didn’t we enjoy it. Quality human and good friend.
What did you enjoy about being a fast bowler?
Green tops, but rarely played on one. Seriously I loved the thrill of getting the new pill and just ripping in and bowling as fast as I could.
If the speed gun was on at your peak what do you think it would have registered?
I got clocked at 135 km when I was 18, so maybe between 135 and 140 km.
What were your best bowling figures in first grade cricket?
7 for 45 for Fairfield Liverpool against Randwick at Coogee.
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Wayne Holdsworth – very aggressive and very fast, never gave an inch.
Paul Stepto – always at you, accurate at good pace with a very quick bouncer. I recall he got a 9 wickets against us.
Phil Alley – hardest guy I’ve had to face with his height and pace with most deliveries going thru at chest or neck height.
Wayne Holdsworth
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Tom Shiner- up there with the best bowler I had ever faced. He could spin it on glass. Had everything leggie, wrong-un, flipper etc etc.
Gavin Robertson – class act, classical offie. Always an honour to play against this guy.
Brett Patman – made my 1st grade debut against him and he made me look pretty stupid. It was a real eye opener for me. I knew then if I wanted to stay playing 1st grade cricket with the likes of these guys I had to work a lot harder.
Gavin Robertson
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Scott Hookey – punishing opening bat, had every shot and hit the ball so hard.
Rod Bower – awesome stroke player who also hit the ball very hard.
Steve & Mark Waugh – Just class, I was just in awe to be on the same field as those guys.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Steven (Stan) Smith – 196 with ridiculous ease v Waverley (including the great Greg Mo Matthews). He just made batting look easy. He had every shot in the book, so glad I never had to bowl against him.
Steve Smith
Was there any batsman in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted their wicket?
Not really, anyone who walked out to bat I really wanted to knock them over.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
In Grade Cricket 77 for Fairfield in 1st grade v Manly
In the UK 139 not out for Leigh v Northop Hall.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Mark Atkinson, absolute freak behind the stumps and a good bat to go with the package.
Mark Atkinson
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Steven (Stan) Smith – he knew the game inside out and got the best out of everybody. Absolute pleasure to have played under him. Also in the UK Ian Cockbain (Bootle CC) was up there with Stan.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Have 2, later on in my career at Manly. Sam Alexander & Brad Wilson, never a dull moment on or off the field.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
There was always a lot of chat on the field. I remember playing against the great Mike Whitney at Coogee in my debut 1st grade season and it was an experience to say the least. Every ball I faced he would be right in my face with a few choice words, then I replied with a cheeky comment for which I regretted for the whole time I was out there, but looking back I still have a laugh about it.
I also remember Richard Stobo knocking my castle over and giving me the most abusive send-off ever. I couldn’t help but laugh and there was not much to comeback with when 2 of my stumps were cart wheeled out of the ground.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
I was facing Darby Quoyle when he was at Northern District. He kept bouncing me and bowling wide of off stump, then all of a sudden he bowled this hooping inswinger which I left and it took my leg stump. It wasn’t a good look.
Who was your childhood hero?
The great D K Lillee
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Tiger Woods, Aaron Rodgers, David Ortiz
David Ortiz
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
David (Bumble) Lloyd
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Manly Oval
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Sydney Uni – We used to love playing against the Grimble brothers.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
Playing a game you loved with some of your great mates and many are still great mates today.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
I have never won a competition in Sydney so the most memorable win was my first 1st grade win in my debut season against Balmain in a one day game. They were stacked with first class players such as Darren and Rod Tucker, Andrew Jones, Graham Lloyd from Lancashire. I think we rolled them for 64 and we got them one down.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Sam Alexander, Brad Wilson, Ross Trewartha, it would get pretty loose with those boys.
Ronnie celebrating a wicket in 3rd grade for Manly in 2013
What are your hobbies?
Travelling with my beautiful new wife. My kids live over in the UK so we try to get there once a year. Golf and generally trying to stay fit.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Work hard, train hard and the rewards will come. Unfortunately I was a bad trainer and deep down I knew I didn’t work hard enough to be successful as I wanted to be so If I took the advice I was given it could have been a bit different.
What is your current occupation?
Storeman/Driver
Let’s give your employer a plug, who do you work for?
Lawrence & Hanson, Taren Point
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Not in a coaching sense. I still play a bit of Masters Cricket when I can, I had shoulder surgery a couple of years ago which really put an end to playing full time.
If you were running Cricket NSW what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Probably not my strength running a sporting enterprise but my first priority would be more funding into grass roots cricket. Also as cricket is changing each year and we hardly see first class and Test players playing for their clubs when they’re available, I would like to see the players play a bit more like it was back in my day.
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