Dan Doran - spin it big
Gold Coast District Cricket Club | September 11, 2023
Dan Doran made his first-class debut for Queensland against western Australian in Perth in January 2006.
In 32 first class games Dan took 43 wickets with his best figures coming in the 2005-06 Sheffield Shield final when Queensland defeated Victoria by an innings and 354 runs.
Victoria batted first and scored 344 and in reply Queensland scored an incredible 6 declared for 900. In Victoria 2nd innings Dan took the big wickets of Nick Jewell, David Hussey and Cameron White to take 3 for 33 as Victoria were bowled out for 202.
Dan is a Life Member of the Gold Coast District Cricket Club. A premiership winning players and the highest wicket taker for the club.
Let’s find out more about Dan’s journey in the game.
What year you were born?
1981
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I was 9 and was playing Under 12’s at HSDCC with my brother Ben. It was at a high school, and it was cold and wet. I made a duck. Fun times.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Having older brothers, I can’t remember a time we weren’t playing cricket in the backyard or in the street. My first cricket club was HSDCC in south east Victoria. I moved to Queensland in 2003 with a goal of playing for Queensland. 20 years later I am a life member of the Gold Coast District Cricket Club (Dolphins), premiership player, former captain, and club leading wicket taker. I represented Queensland, played in two Shield Finals winning in 2005-06 and a graduate of the Australian Centre of Excellence. I’ve spent three winters in the UK and played 2nd X1 for Surrey, Nottinghamshire and Kent.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
After relocating from Victoria, I went to the Gold Coast Dolphins and asked if I could train with them on a Tuesday night. I was fortunate that they had a spot available that weekend and made my debut that weekend in 2nd Grade. I was 22.
At what age did you make your first grade debut?
The next round.
Dan Doran
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
One of the millions of cricketers that Shane Warne inspired to try leg spin. And an umpire whisperer.
You played 32 first class games for Queensland, can you share with us how you found out you’d been selected to make your debut, who did you play and what do you remember about your first-class debut?
I received a call on a Saturday morning before a club game. I was selected in the squad to play WA at the WACA. I assumed I would be 12th man but made the X1 and grabbed a handful of wickets on debut. The whole experience was a whole lot of fun.
How do you look back on your cricket career?
I’m really thankful that I took the chance and moved to Queensland. There were plenty of reasons not to do it. I am fortunate to land at the Gold Coast when I did as they were building a talented group of cricketers who happened to also be superb people. But mostly I look back at my first-class career with enormous gratitude to Queensland Cricket, the coaching staff and the playing group. I was lucky to be given the opportunities I was, and especially given the quality of the squad at the time. To be lucky enough to play on the Gabba with Hayden, Maher, Love, Johnson, Symonds, Watson, Bichel, Hopes, Kasprowicz and Hartley is something I will always be grateful for.
Gold Coast District Cricket Club First Grade Premiers 2008-09
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Shaun Tait, Dirk Nannes and Mitchell Johnson. Each were equally scary and being a spinner and lower order batsmen, I couldn’t reciprocate any bouncers. The bowlers code never applied to spinners.
Mitchell Johnson
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
There are two because they were streets ahead of all others. Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill. They are the two best wrist spinners of all time.
Shane Warne
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Darren Lehmann, Brad Hodge and Michael Di Venuto. They were awesome in full flight.
Brad Hodge
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in grade cricket?
After six first-class matches and only half a season in a state squad I was sent to the CA Centre of Excellence for the winter. The head coach was Tim Nielson and Terry Jenner was the spin coach. It was an exceptionally talented squad and about day two I realised I was a long way off the pack.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I played around 150 first-grade matches with the Gold Coast wicket keeper Damian Wallis and he was as good as I have had keeping to my bowling. He was a natural glovemen, silky soft hands and the hardest trainer I’ve seen. Chris Hartley kept most of my Queensland time and of course his record is exceptional.
Damian Wallis
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
For competitive spirit and full commitment to every team they played in would be Ryan Broad and Luke Feldman. They were my favourite Queensland players to play with as they competed like every ball was for the match.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Jimmy Maher.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Gold Coast played Toombul in a club final in 2010 and Jimmy Maher was playing for Toombul. He was in good form and seeing them so well that he was commentating as the balls were bowled, calling “boardroom” even before the bouncers hit the pitch. On one delivery a bird flew across the pitch as the ball was bowled and he played it easily whilst also commenting “it’s a Gold Coast swallow!” This continued all day. He finished not out, and we’d still be trying to get him out today.
Who was your childhood hero?
David Boon.
David Boon
What was your favourite ground to play at?
As a former Victorian and an AFL fan the MCG was special.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Playing against Shane Warne. It was a Shield match at the Junction Oval and facing him was real thrill for a young leg spinner.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Queensland Pura Cup win in 2005-06 against Victoria. Queensland scored 6-900 dec. which was extraordinary.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
“If you’re not going to try and spin it big, you may as well bowl medium pace.” Stuart MacGill
Stuart MacGill
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
No, I’m taking a season off. I expect to get involved again next season.
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
1. I would seek a leadership group (coaching, operations, and players) that prioritised high expectations and exacting standards over player comfort. Nothing good comes from a place of comfort.
2. I’d pursue more alternative revenue streams to Cricket Australia to ensure Queensland can fund all programs for Queensland cricketers regardless of the CA allocation. That will make for a stronger state organisation and ensure long term funding for important player development programs.
