David Colley - the 'Fox'

Mosman Cricket Club | February 05, 2023

David Colley is Australian Test Cricketer number 257.

He made his Test debut in the first Test of the 1972 Ashes series between Australia and England.

In 3 Test matches, Colley took 6 wickets with best bowling of 3 for 83 and his highest score was 54.

David Colley made his first grade debut for Mosman Cricket Club in 1963 at the age of 16 and up until his last game 19 years later in 1982, he took 527 wickets at an average of 19.65 and took 5 wickets in an innings on 26 occasions.

With the bat he scored 5,897 runs at 24.57 including 2 centuries and 32 half centuries.

David Colley made his first class debut for NSW during the 1969-70 seasons and played 87 first class games taking 236 wickets at 31.60 including 8 five wickets hauls.

In first class cricket he scored 2,374 runs at 23.74 including one century and 13 half centuries.

Let’s find out more about the man affectionately known as ‘the Fox’

David Colley bowling on the 1972 Ashes tour

What year you were born?

1947. Don’t remind me! 

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

Not really, I know it was around 1957 in what was called D2’s in the Mosman area. I also represented Northern Suburbs that year in Under14 representative team called Harold Moore Shield. Off to a ‘flier’.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

I only played for Mosman Cricket Club in Sydney grade Cricket. I actually played a third grade game when I was 12. Someone got injured at Rawson Park and they came looking for me in Balmoral Park. I got 10 and it was the first time I’d played on a turf wicket, let alone see a ball swing. I played 2nd and 3rds at 14 and 15 and must have done OK.

Dad would pick me up after D1’s with a change of gear, and drop me off at the grade game for a 1pm start. 

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

I made my first grade debut when I was 16, dropped right in the deep end.

I was picked as a batsman, only bowled for a bit of fun. Batted 5 and went in on a hat trick ball on a green top. The bowler was Dave Renneberg who, at the time was opening the bowler for NSW and Australia. The hat trick ball put it all in perspective as it knocked my cap off and flew over the keepers head 2 bounces into the fence! I got an accidental 9 but learned a lot that day.

What were your strengths as a player?

Belief and perseverance, I guess. I always believed I could get the batsman out. And perservered until I did. If they won, it wasn’t for want of trying down my end. 

David Colley bowling in the nets

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

Don’t remember, got a few ‘tons’ over the years but my bowling load was always high, which made long digs, a bit hard. I did alright, never been much on stats.

David Colley’s highest score in Sydney First Grade was 115 and 101 in first class cricket

David Colley batting on the 1972 Ashes tout

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

Come on, honestly, I don’t remember and I don’t go back studying statistics. That’s for the ‘nerds’!

I did get a 10 for v Tasmania for a NSW side (not first class) at the SCG. That was a thrill. Got quite a few 5 and 6 wicket hauls in Shield cricket including and against the West Indies

David Colley’s best bowling figures for Mosman in Sydney Grade Cricket was 8 for 70 and 6 for 30 in first class cricket. 

You played 3 Test Matches for Australia can you share with us how you found out you’d been selected in the Test team what do you remember about your Test debut?

I overheard Alan McGilvray doing an ABC report back to Australia. We were playing Derbyshire in Chesterfield. I was on fire early in the 1972 Tour and he reported that I was a big chance for the first test. Ian Chappell gave me the ‘nod’ a few days later.

No real fanfare, that wasn’t Chappelli’s way.

My debut was another learning curve milestone. Old Trafford, and I’ve never been so cold in my life. I was numb with nerves and number with the cold. Simply couldn’t feel myself and my first spell reflected that. Eventually warmed up a bit in my second spell and bowled well. There was a pretty little blond in the crowd, and she warmed me up!

87 first class matches, including 3 Test matches, 236 first class wickets and 527 first grade wickets for Mosman is quite an incredible career, how do you look back on your cricket career?

Satisfied that I gave it everything I had. My body is certainly confirming that. 2 total hip replacements, 2 knee replacements coming up and 2 back operation. Throw in a triple bypass and there you go.

I gave great service to Mosman and NSW and my only regret is that loyalty has never been reciprocated. Cest la vie!

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

Dennis Lillee - I roomed with the great man for 5 months in England. He is an incredibly dedicated, committed, passionate and determined man. I know what he went through with his back and only Superman could have survived that! And I faced him for 8 years and seemed to always get the second new ball. Real character building stuff, and seeing what he did with the seed first hand, never ceased to amaze me.

Andy Roberts - played a season with this lovely man. Beautiful action, great bouncer, accurate and very quick.

John Snow - A great fast bowler in every way. Pinpointed your weaknesses, honed in on them and relentlessly went about destroying you. And he hit the bat very hard, made you play everything and was nasty!

Dennis Lillee

  

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

Bishin Bedi - an artist, beautiful control of flight, drift and accuracy. Floated to and through the crease and could not be dominated.

Ashley Mallett - used his height to obtain regular bounce. Aggressive spinner who was relentless, sharp turn and gave you nothing.

Derek Underwood – ‘deadly’ accurate, mean, aggressive and miserly. Great arm ball, and gave you nothing.

Bishen Bedi

 

Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?

Sir Viv Richards - a seriously commanding figure, both physically and mentally. His strength and unique ability to improvise is mind boggling.

Barry Richards - a master craftsman who had so much time it was scary. Like a great surgeon he dissected the bowling methodically and he too was relentless.

Greg Chappell - our challenge was to endeavour to ensure his first scoring shot was not a four. That’s how great he was. Elegantly efficient, tough and again, like all greats, relentless.

Sir Viv Richards

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

Greg Chappell’s 131 in the 2nd Test at Lords in 1972 against a great English attack on a wicket doing a bit. It was serious class and tenacity.

Greg Chappell on his way to 131 in the 2nd Ashes Test of 1972

Was there any batsman in particular who whatever reason seemed to always to cause you a few problems?

They all did! The Chappell’s, Barry and Viv Richards, Kim Hughes in Perth, David Hookes, I can go on forever. First class batsman always presented a challenge, one way or the other. 

Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?

Several times. At 16 in my first season in first grade I faced Dave Renneberg, Alan Davidson, Richie Benaud, Peter Phillpot, Johnny Martin, Gordon Rorke and plenty more. All Internationals and all giving 100%.

The step up to 4 day Shield cricket when all the Internationals played and then the ‘hype’ of Test cricket.

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

Alan Knott - real class, great hands, very fit and a classic technique. Soft hands and made a tough job look very easy. Lovely man, never said a word. 

Alan Knott

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

There were so many it’s impossible to single out two. If I have to I would single out Dennis Lillee and Greg Chappell.

If you could improve one aspect of cricket today, what would it be and why?

Only one….again that’s impossible. Try this for size.

T20 Cricket must be renamed ‘WHACKIT’. It has to be differentiated from real cricket before the game cannibalises itself. T20 is not as cricket is supposed to be and must be positioned accordingly.

Test cricket to run 4 days. Team A bats for one day only. Team B bat for one day only. Same in 2nd innings. Result based on wicket to runs by 2. Play starts at 10am to 6pm. Minimum overs set per day so spinners have to bowl plenty. A result every game. Weather factored in as it is currently. Game does not stop for TV replays, the Umpire makes a decision, and then that’s it. They can replay between overs at the ground.

Who has been your funniest team mate?

Doug Walters, classic. 

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

Dennis Lillee bowling in a County match to a young bloke in his first 1st class game. The lad cannot lay bat on ball and after 2 overs Dennis has had enough. Hands on hips about 10 feet from the kid ‘hey mate, word of advice, flip your bat around, you’ll find the f……….g instructions on the back’. There are many many more of course.

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

All of them. Can’t single any out. 

Who was your childhood hero?

Fred Trueman. Loved his action and got to admire his training regime. Similar to Dougie Walters. 

Fred Trueman

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

Tiger Woods, Raphael Nadal and Paige Spiranac

Raphael Nadal

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Haven’t got one. They’re all hopeless. Billy Birmingham should be retained to give commentary a lot of ‘colour’, which is sadly lacking. In very small quantities Kerry O’Keeffe and Shane Warne aren’t bad.

Can you share the two cricket journalist whose work you’ve enjoyed most over the years? 

Alan McGilvray and Fred Trueman. 

What was your favourite ground to play at?

SCG. Great wicket and its daily complexion gave everyone a fair go. And I loved the old Long Bar. 

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

West Indies. Their batsmen gave you a chance, if you were prepared to have a go at them. Great blokes too. 

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

2nd Test, Lords 1972. 2 of the most incredible cricket performances I’ve witnessed. Bob Massie’s 16 wickets and Greg Chappell 131. Legendary and I was honoured to be on the field with them. 

Australian 1972 Ashes Tour Squad

Back Row - Graeme Watson, Ashley Mallett, Bob Massie, G Hammond, Rod Marsh

Middle Row - D. McEarlane (Physiotherapist), Bruce Francis, Greg Chappell, Ross Edwards, Fred Bennett, (Assistant Manager), Paul Sheahan, David Colley, Dennis Lillee, D. Sherwood (Scorer).

Front Row - Brian Taber, Doug Walters, Ian Chappell (captain), Ray Steele (Manager), Keith Stackpole, John Inverarity, John Gleeson

NSW Sheffield Shield team 1975

Back Row – John Dyson, David Hourn, Kerry O’Keeffe, David Colley, Len Pascoe, Graeme Hughes, Steve Rixon

Front Row – Gary Gilmour, Rick McCosker, Doug Walters (Captain), Alan Turner, Peter Toohey

If there was one match up, a bowler and batsman going head to head at their peak, who would you choose?

Jeff Thomson to Viv Richards. Match up made in heaven!!

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

Doug Walters, Gary Gilmour and David Hourn.

What are your hobbies?

Being slack and golf.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

Be true to yourself. Persevere and have intense integrity. 

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

No, I’m not at all. I am, nevertheless, a very practised armchair critic. We were better in my day, no doubt!

Can we ask what state cricket associations need to have as their top 2 priorities to ensure cricket in their state and across Australia remain strong and successful on and off the field?

 The states take their brief from Cricket Australia, as I understand it, and from my observations CA is a rudderless rabble.

So I can’t see any autonomy in play here. When you ask what ‘cricket associations’ can I assume you mean Cricket NSW etc. At the end of the day this is a ‘trickle down’ scenario, and if it’s shabby at the top, it won’t be clean at grass roots.

This is complex, and no quick fix is available. I go back to my ‘Whackit’ concept, because T20 is the Covid of cricket. It has to be compartmentalised in such a way that it is not played by cricketers who have been given a pathway to 1st class cricket.

Look this is a very complex and tricky challenge, but unless it is addressed in a tough, single- minded manner, we’ll be watching T20 Test matches only, believe me.