David Chardon - never give up

Randwick Petersham Cricket Club | February 15, 2023

David Chardon made his first grade debut for Petersham Marrickville Cricket at the age of 16 during the 1967-68 season and went on to become one of the greats of Sydney Grade Cricket,

In a career spanning 1967 to 1990 David Chardon took 793 wickets at an average of only 19.67 and took 5 wickets in an innings on 37 occasions. Incredibly David only played one first class game for NSW.

David is 8th on the list of all-time wicket takers in NSW Premier Cricket. In fact, the bowlers that sit above David are all spinners and that makes him the leading fast bowler in wickets taken in the history of NSW Premier Cricket.

Let’s find out more about David’s journey in the game

 

 

 

What year were you born?

I was born at Newtown on the 8th December 1951.

Can you remember your first game of cricket?

My first game of competitive cricket was for Earlwood Primary School vs Bexley School. This was played on the outer ground of Bexley oval. I played with Earlwood cricket club as a 9 year old until I switched to Canterbury Colts when I was 12. I believe I still hold some records in the under 12’s for both batting and bowling. My school years were at Canterbury Boys High where I played in the 1stXI for 3 years.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

Going to grade cricket was what I was keen to do and Noel Hughes who was a well-respected first grade player with Petersham Marrickville convinced me to attend pre-season training when I was 14.

I was lucky enough to be graded in 4th grade and captured 52 wickets. The next season I played 2nd grade and by the 11th round of the season I was selected in first grade. I played against Randwick at Coogee and captured a wicket (Ron Crippen) with my first ball. I can remember Johnny Martin (Little Fave) came up to me and said it's easy in first grade isn't it Dave.

From then on I played and captained Petershams Green Shield and Poidevin Gray teams to premierships and played grade cricket for 25 seasons. I did leave to play for Sydney Cricket Club for 2 seasons and then came back to Petersham.

If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?

I would describe myself as a bowler who would never give up on getting a batsman out. I trained hard and worked on my run up to be smooth and although not super quick I had enough pace to worry batsman but my strength was probably variation in both swing and seam. On batting I suppose at around number 8, I was pretty keen to get runs or get out so I could have a crack at the opposition openers.

At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?

I believe I had my first grade debut at 16 years of age at Coogee Oval against Randwick and captured 1for 31. Nothing to write home about but what an experience. Going into the dressing room I addressed my new team mates as g'day Mr Hughes, Mr Martin etc. These two fellows both senior players said there are only first names or nicknames here and that's where my nickname of Chardo started.

You made your first grade debut at such a young age, can you recall the circumstances of how it came about and what was it like playing first grade at that time?

I remember my father received a phone call from the secretary of the club saying they were going to put me in first grade next game. I must admit I was over the moon, however, I did have some reservations as I would be playing with and against the Big Boys.

What were your strengths as a player?

My strengths as a player I believe was to adapt my bowling to the type of wicket I played on. Some days the ball would swing both ways so I would use that to my advantage as I would if the wicket was conducive to seam and cut. I would add that I hated being told to have a spell and would often say to the skipper- give me one more over as I think I can get this guy out - sometimes it paid off.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

My highest score was 58 against Cumberland at Old Kings ground and I still recall being caught out by a blinder. I did mention to my teammates, “He drops that I could have reached the nervous 90's.”

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

The best return was 8 for 39 and 5 and 48 to give me 13 wickets for the game. It was against University at my home ground Petersham Oval in the 1986-87 season.

 

You took 793 first grade wickets at an average of 19.67 which is a truly remarkable career yet only played one first class game for NSW. For most that would seem hard to believe, did anyone ever share the reason why and what was it that drove you to continually perform at such a high level?

I must admit I did take nearly 800 wickets over 20 years in first grade. I played one shield game for NSW and a Gillette cup game which greatly disappointed me in terms of not playing more games. I played in an era where there were many great fast bowlers for NSW. I suppose selectors went for speed and bounce at the time. I did not have that extra speed, however, I would say many a batsmen I played for and against would hate to see the ball moving around if the skipper gave me the ball. Some of my fellow cricketers have said, if you were only born in England.

We've heard a story where at a NSW reunion you were surprised at how many first class players you'd actually dismissed in grade cricket.

I do remember being invited to a NSW reunion hosted by the then NSW Premier. I grabbed a lift with Wayne Mulherin and thinking there would be around 40 guests I was surprised to see well over 200. After having a drink and mingling with numerous old players some I might add were hard to recognize, i.e., no hair, wrinkles, walking with a limp. I made the comment to Wayne Mulherin I've got more wickets in this room than Grace Bros has made moves. I did think I looked fairly good for my age at the time and when I returned home got into my altogether and made the comment to my better half- honey I think you have won the lottery- just joking!

David Chardon bowling to UNSW Greg Livingstone. Jim Robson at the Non strikers end

How do you look back on your cricket career?

I look back on my cricket career and experiences both on and off the field as something I would never change. The friendships you make, the laughs on the field and in the dressing rooms are things in my life I cherish.

Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?

Jeff Thomson - his sheer pace and ferocious bounce makes me think I was glad I did not open the batting. I opened the bowling with Thommo in a NSW Colts match and I fielded in the gully. I can honestly say I was at least 22 yards from the batsmen facing hoping he didn't flash at one.

Dave Colley - was a bowler I admired. He could swing the ball both ways, although not express he had a very useful bouncer and could vary his pace to suit the conditions.

Steve Taylor -from North Sydney. On his day (if he had an early night) he was lightning. His first 3 or 4 overs were dangerously quick and you could see the early discomfort the openers were experiencing.

 

David Colley

Who were the best three spinners you played against?

David Hourn (Cracka) - his variation and amount of turn was amazing.

Johnny Martin (Little Fave) - a spinner that I played with in my early days. Although I played only a handful of games with him I could see why he was a Test match bowler. His ability to confuse the batsman and the amount of turn was unbelievable.

Johnny Martin

Wayne Mulherin - his variation with flight and spin was always on the money. He could tie an end up and make the batsman force the play and that's when the wicket would come.

Wayne Mulherin

Who were the best 3 batsmen you've played against?

The best batsmen in order of selection would be Bob Simpson. The way he milked his runs was something you did not realise until he was say 50 or so. I never did get him out having played against him 3 times. His scores if I can recollect were 123, 150 and 52 run out. I might add I think I did get an edge once, when he was in his 90's.

Warren Saunders captained St George and did play for NSW. I played against him in my early days and I did get him out a few times but he was like Simmo, just milked away the runs with always a strong technique plus what a true gentleman.

My third choice of batsman would be Brian Riley. Although I played with him at Petersham for the majority of his career I did play against him when he played for Waverley. He was the batsman that could play an innings that could destroy many a bowler. He was a cavalier type batsman and was exciting to watch and play against as any batsman you could imagine.

Bob Simpson

Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

My recollection of the best innings would be a fellow teammate in Graeme Hughes. I could not name a specific innings but I witnessed him tear apart many a bowling attack on numerous grounds. One of the batsman I was glad to have on my team.

Graham Hughes

Was there and batsman in particular who seemed to always cause you problems?

The batsman who I struggled with would be Bob Simpson. As mentioned before, difficult to bowl to as he had so much time and was a class above.

Can you recall when you thought, wow, this is a step up from grade cricket?

My first recall of playing top cricket was when I was selected in the NSW Colts team. We played in Brisbane and it was a 3 day game. I was advised these longer games you need to pace yourself. It was an experience I would never forget and I believe Allan Border might have been 12th man in that match.

Who was the best wicket keeper you've seen firsthand playing with or against?

To answer who was the best keeper I would put 2 names forward.

Martin Bedkober - great anticipation read the bowler he was keeping to and his glove work was super. I played with Martin through Podevin Gray and 1st grade. Sadly Martin was killed playing the game he loved.

Martin Bedkober

The other name is also a team mate from Petersham.

Bronco D’Jura came into 1st Grade side very young and his ability behind the stumps was something else. If his football career did not interrupt his cricket I am sure he would have played higher levels.

Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?

Two people who stick in my mind in terms of skills and competitive nature would be firstly,

Greg Hartshorne - a man who analysed the opposition involving their strengths and weaknesses and was able to steer the fielders and bowlers to a win. Prince as he was fondly known had the knack to lead from the front and was someone you would want in the trenches.

 

Greg Hartshorne

The other person I found had huge skills and a competitive nature was Brian Riley. Riles was known as a player other teams hated to play against. He did have the reputation of being a bit of a renegade, however, once off the field he was well liked by the opposition. Riles had the ability to read the game, pick the weakness and pursue it. I was lucky enough to have played with Riles at his peak in the mid 1970's.

Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?

The best captain was Brian Riley. As a fielder he was unequaled, a batsman who could turn the game in a few overs and a very competitive person.

Captained Petersham’s premiership team in 1974/75.

Back row – J.R. Ross (President), Graeme Hughes, John Coyle, Stewart Gardner, Lindsay Gibson, Peter Bain, Bill Moffatt, Greg Hartshorne, B.P. Hughes (Secretary)

Front row – Les Johns, Dave Chardon, Brian Riley (Captain), Martin Bedkober, Bill Anderson, Perry Nichols (Scorer) 

 

Who was your funniest team mate?

The funniest team mate I played with would be David Hourn. I played more against him, however, in some representative matches we played together he had that way of making comments that made you laugh, particularly his comments when facing the real quicks like Dennis Lillee and Thommo.

Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?

Petersham had a strong reputation of banter on the field. Yours truly was continuously one who said a few words. One situation which I can laugh at now was Petersham playing Bankstown at Marrickville Oval.

I was bowling and in came a new lad who had had some good scores in Green Shield and Poidevin Gray. That lad was Mark Waugh.

He played and missed the first 2 balls and nicked the third. The usual appeal went up and as Mark walked passed me I mentioned welcome to first grade son go back to Green Shield where you might get some runs. Well it’s all history now as Mark was to become a great Test player. I believe it was mentioned in his book discussing his first grade cricket debut.

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

My most embarrassing dismissal was facing Graeme Beard who was playing for Penrith. He was bowling his slow spin and I could not read him. After an over of playing and missing, not one but the whole over, I said to my batting partner Graeme Hughes, next one I am going down the track and belt him.

Next over I danced down the wicket and I was so far down the wicket when I missed, the keeper obviously stumped me. When I walked into the dressing room the scorer wasn't sure how I was out. Being that far down the wicket I said I was run out. It wasn't picked up until the game was well and truly over.

Who was your childhood hero?

My childhood hero was probably Sir Garfield Sobers. Great sportsman could bat, bowl, field and I believe was an A Grade golfer.

 

Gary Sobers

Who are the three sports people in the world you'd most like to meet?

Tiger Woods, Mark Spitz, Jack Nicholas

 

Tiger Woods

Who's your favourite cricket commentator?

Bill Lawry- love his sayings and says it how he sees it- although a little pro to Victorians.

What was your favourite ground to play at?

Petersham Oval. Great to watch the game from the scoreboard end and had many a successful afternoon there.

Was there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?

I loved playing St George. In the early days of my career they had 7 or 8 players who were current NSW Shield players or Test players. It made it all the more satisfying if you got amongst the wickets.

What's been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Most memorable moment in cricket was winning the First Grade premiership in 1974/75 after near misses in the previous years, and playing in England for Sunderland as a professional.

What's the best win you've been involved with?

Best win was the semi final of 1974/75 beating St George at Petersham

Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?

The four players I would have to a Saturday afternoon BBQ would be Geoff Wright, Greg Hartshorne, Wayne Mulherin and Lindsay Gibson, all being valuable first grade cricketers.

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies these days are as usual what old cricketers do - golf (at Bankstown Golf Club) and I must admit I do like to garden at home.

What’s the best advice you've received?

Best advice I received was be humble as there is always someone better.

What is your occupation?

I currently work part time with a business called Plumbers Supplies Co-op. I enjoy it because of the people I deal with and I don't feel like full time retirement is for me just yet.

Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?

I'm not involved with cricket directly. I’m a member of Randwick Petersham legends, however, I do follow the scores each weekend.

If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities be to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?

As I am not directly involved in cricket I find it difficult to make any great priorities to follow, however, I would like to see more of the top first class players play more first Grade. When I played in my early days I was in awe if a Test player or Shield player was playing in the opposition.