David Thompson - be prepared
Bankstown District Cricket Club | April 07, 2023
David Thompson made his first grade debut for Bankstown during the 1981/82 and is first grade cap number 144.
In 1985/86 David became the inaugural first grade captain of Fairfield Cricket Club where he spent one year and has the honour of Fairfield Liverpool Cricket Club Player of the Year Award named after him.
In first grade David scored 3,336 runs at 24.35 including one century and 21 half centuries. He took 58 wickets with his best figures 5 for 53.
In all grades David scored over 7,000 and continued to play into his 40s and became a tremendous influence and mentor to many younger players.
Let’s find out more about David’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1961
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
It was for Revesby Methodist in the Churches Competition U12’s, I was 10, and I can’t recall how I went
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Following my junior days at Revesby Methodist, my journey took in Bankstown (First Garde Cap No 144), Fairfield (First Grade Cap No 2, Kowloon, St George and now I’m on the Board at Western Suburbs.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I debuted in 1976-77 for Bankstown in 5th Grade against St George, scored 23 and found myself in 4th Grade the next week, got a golden duck and back to the 5ths next game and for the season.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I debuted in 1981-82 vs a Tony Greig led Waverly team at Waverly Oval, I took 5/53.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I began my grade career as an opening batsmen but debuted in first grade as an all-rounder. My bowling duties diminished as 2 young all-rounders by the name of Waugh came into our side, so for most of my career, a middle order batsmen
Mark Waugh on David Thompson
Thommo was your ultimate clubman. Leading the team song, organising team uniforms etc. As a player he was an aggresive all rounder who never took a backward step with either bat or ball
What was your highest score in first grade?
126 not out for Fairfield vs UNSW at Fairfield Park in 1985-86, a great highlight in my career.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
That 5/53 against Waverly in my 1st grade debut my best.
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
The most feared fast bowler I faced was Rod Foord, he got me first ball in Green Shield in 1976-77 and from then on he had me on edge. I think Dave Chardon from Petersham was an amazing fast bowler and his partner John Sullivan always kept you on your toes, mean, angry fast bowler. I also had the great fortune to open the batting against the mighty Malcom Marshall at Trumper Oval in 1991-92, I top scored in the first innings with 23, 3rd ball duck in the second, LBW Malcolm Marshall.
Who has been the best three spinners you have played against?
I always loved the contest with spin bowlers, the way I played always gave them a chance, but I often came off as well. David Hourn always had me guessing, Murray Bennett’s accuracy and Gavin Robertson always provided a challenge. Mark Waugh once said to me after I hit Peter McLay onto the hill at Pratten Park a couple of times that “spinners” always bowled rubbish to me” no credit from Junior.
Murray Bennett
Who has been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Graeme Hughes seemed to score a century every time we played him, a great sportsman who seemed to do it easy. Geoff Miliken from St George was always hard to get out and I always loved playing with and against Steve Small.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I think Steve Smiths 215 not out against Sydney in 1981-82. He also scored a Poidevin Gray double on New Years Day at Petersham Oval, 201 not out in the same year. He was a great batsmen who made very few mistakes.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I think Terry Davies was the best keeper I played with, efficient and mistake free. Its interesting that I once said my best cricket friends are wicket keepers, as a first slipper, I spent so much time next to them, Greg Lockerbie, Kevin Pillay, Sean Pope, Steven Wise, Russel Wilcoxon, Ray Brewster, loved them all
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
I really admired the guys who owned first grade cricket and never quite made the next level, Graeme Pitty, Brett McKirdy were great 1st Grade fast bowlers who never played first class cricket, Rod Bower was ahead of his time and never got the accolades he deserved and my brother Scott dominated 1sr Grade for years but never owned a spot in the NSW team.
Scott and David - proud Bankstown players
Can you recall a time when you thought “wow, this is a step above what we’re normally used to in grade cricket, “if you could describe the moment and share why it was such a challenge?
I think anytime Mark and Steve Waugh came back and played for Bankstown. I felt everyone lifted, our team, their team and I had some great partnerships with Mark Waugh. They both made it look easy. It was a challenge because you wanted to impress them and make sure you belonged.
Mark Waugh and David Thompson
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
I think in my formative years, John Bull (Bankstown 3rd Grade Captain), John Dunn (Bankstown 2nd Grade Captain) and Bob Vidler (Bankstown 1st Grade Captain), developing under these 3 helped in 3 consecutive years, not just as a cricketer, but I learnt strong values and discipline.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
It’s a tie in 2 eras, Pat Rosser when I was at St George and Paul Talbot at Bankstown, both extremely different characters but fun in their own right
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Every time Brian Riley was involved in a game his banter (sledging) was pretty straight and honest. I recall a game at Petersham where he was in this mode and was chasing a ball around the boundary line. He didn’t see a pile of dirt and went head over heels over it, the crowd enjoyed that moment.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
In Hong Kong in the World 6s in 1993, we played Pakistan. I had bowled 2 bouncers to Wasim Akram, both dispatched for 6 (and ended up on a Cathay Pacific in flight news broadcast). Our turn to bat and I was run out without facing a ball, Javed Miandad threw the ball from the keepers end, it went through between my legs and hit the stumps, all broadcast.
Who was your childhood hero?
NO DOUBT, Greg Chappell
Who’s the sports person in the world you’d most like to meet?
Roger Federer he will do.
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
I love summer cricket with Bill Lawry, his sparring with Tony Greig was legendary.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Always loved stepping onto Hurstville Oval along with my home of many years Bankstown Oval
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
I think it would be any contest against Petersham. They were a team of tough aggressive cricketers, Riley, Hughes, Chardon, Wright, Taylor, Sullivan, Mulherin, Hartshorne, you knew you were in for a challenge every time and you were left in no doubt how they felt about you and your ability, your physical attributes, luckily I usually did OK against them.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
I loved the mateship, in those early days your friends were all local, you’d played Green Shield and PG’s together, it didn’t matter what Grade you were in, you were all friends and enjoyed each other’s company, a beer in the dressing room was a joy.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
I think playing a season of First Grade with my brother Scott (11 years younger) his first was my last, it was a great family moment. Winning a 1st Grade Premiership with Bankstown in 1987-88, 2nd Grade Premiership with St George on 2002-03 and playing for Hong Kong in the World 6’s in 1993, in the same dressing room as Vic Richards, Wasim Akram, Graham Gooch, Javed Miandad and of course my great mate Mark Waugh.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
The 2nd Grade Premiership for St George vs Mosman in 2002-03, I had said all week that the game wouldn’t be done till 6pm Sunday Night. We had to dig deep on that last day, had to bowl them out and with Mosman 2/130 odd needing 200 to win, it looked bleak, then Ed Zelma 6/56 bowled with heart and soul like I’d never seen and Steve Wark 2/49 off 23 overs weaved his magic and we won the memorable game,
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Pat Rosser, Kevin Pillay and Paul Talbot all made an impact on me.
What are your hobbies?
My hobbies are my family, my wife Karen and 3 children Ashleigh, Courtney and Jack and now my grandson Henry, that’s all I need.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
I don’t know who gave me this advice BUT it is what I always share…….BE PREPARED!!!
What is your current occupation?
I’m the CEO of Hockey NSW
What are the main challenges sporting organisations will have to deal with over the next 5 years and what’s your advice to cricket leaders and club administrators?
Keeping today’s children and youth interested in playing structured team sport. Team sport builds character and having older mentors to coach and captain them is critical. This is the foundation of tomorrows stars, and at the same time creating playing opportunities that meet the participants needs, Accessible, Available and Affordable.
