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A
Tribute to the Late David Hookes |
- Stephen Brown
The life of David Hookes will be remembered for
many things in his life, but sadly at the age of
48 his death has cut down someone in the prime
of his life. The name of Hookes first became
known when in the centenary test in 1977 David
hit 6 4's off the bowling of Tony Greig in one
over. Again his name hit the spotlight when
Hookes joined a brigade of rebel players in what
was known as World Series Cricket. His first
season was waylaid by an infamous bouncer by
Andy Roberts that broke his jaw ,in World Series
Cricket his career became better known for this
incident. On his re-introduction into first
class cricket Hookes struggled, and struggled in
his return series in Pakistani 1980. Over the
next 6 years Hookes was in and out of the
Australian team never securing a place in the
side, but there were highlights and that
included his 143 Vs Srilanka in their first test
series against Australia. Davids' career was not
highlighted by a great test career, but rather a
dashing one as he was a great attacking batsmen
and this was shown by his many innings for South
Australia in Sheffield Shield cricket.
At the end of Davids' career he headed for radio
where he was well known for his outspokenness,
this was followed up by his involvement in
Foxtel as a lead commentator, commentating on
many foreign Australian cricket tours. Apart
from Hookes' leading of the Foxtel
cricket show Inside Cricket and his radio
commentary, Hookes took on the job of coaching
the Victorian Bushrangers.
David Hookes was best known as a social
commentator and he made strong comments publicly
about the career of the Waughs, the Shane Warne
scandals, Simon Katichs' selection in the test
squad, his views on domestic cricket and offered
a view to the lack of Victorians in the national
team. One thing is for sure Hooksey was never
short of a word and its his sports commentary
and his potential as a cricket player that David
Hookes will be remembered for, and of course
that one glorious over in the centenary test
match.
Goodbye David and thanks for all the memories.
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