A Boon to Australian cricket

David Boon, Tasmania’s favourite cricketer before Ricky Ponting arrived, has sympathy for the current Australia captain

HOBART: In these days when it is easy to get out of shape, particularly when you are not playing, he has remained the same old David Boon. Plump and with slightly pot-bellied he may be, but Boon has not ballooned like some of his former teammates. Twelve years of retired life have not changed much except the colour of his flowing moustaches. They have become slightly thicker and grayer.

At 49, Boon has managed to remain as active as he was during his playing days - doing two specialist jobs. Then he was specialist opener and a specialist fielder at the forward shot-leg. Now he is the cricket manager of Cricket Tasmania and a national selector.

Till Ricky Ponting happened, Boon was the boon of Tasmania, the most accomplished sportsman from the tiny state. But the burly man, a dashing opener of his time, doesn’t begrudge the cult status the Australian captain enjoys in Hobart. “He deserves all his success. He is a fine batsman.”

Boon doesn’t find anything wrong with Ponting’s leadership, which has come up for a lot of flak in recent times. “I don’t know if I would behave the same way as he has been doing. But I should not forget the perspective of the time he is playing in. Times are changing.” The Tasmanian also strove hard to defend the Australian team’s behaviour and their sledging tactics. “Sledging is often misinterpreted. But it should take its form in the right language, and it should not be tolerated if it gets really offensive.” He, however, revealed that he never said anything to a batsman although he stood very near to him.

But Boon admitted that he is conservative and is all for Test matches. “Twenty20 is a great format and IPL should be interesting. It is popular in Australia and I’m sure in India as well. But I’m traditionalist and I’m all for Test and ODI cricket. The ICC should manage the T20 explosion properly.”

Boon said he had a great partnerships with Geoff Marsh because he enjoyed batting with his opening partner. “Geoff is Godfather to my youngest daughter. We still stay in touch and share a good relationship. And because of our friendship we had a good understanding between us. It showed on the field as well.”

Boon remembers vividly the 1987 World Cup final which Australia won under Allan Border. “That was the only occasion when Indians supported us. It was a great experience for all of us.” Boon was the hero of the final which Australia won by beating England. He hit a match-winning 75 in the match.

Boon felt there is something of Border in almost all Australian captains that followed him. “I can see something of Border in Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh and now in Ponting. They have all learnt from him.”

The Tasmanian said that Malcolm Marshall was the most dangerous fast bowler he has faced during his career. “There were many who were good but Marshall was the best because of the pace he used to generate consistently. Bowling at more 150 kmph and swinging both ways, it was not easy. He would make the batsman play nine out of 10 times.”