John Dyson - Jannali to Jamaica via Johannesburg
Dean Tuckwell | February 07, 2023
John Dyson was a determined opening batsman for NSW & Australia playing 30 Tests between 1977 & 1984 – not the ideal era in which to be opening the batting. 5 of his tests were against the West Indies in their prime and in 1982 scored 127 not out to draw the Sydney test against an attack comprising Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Sylvester Clarke & Colin Croft – no mean feat.
He also top scored in both Australian innings of the Headingly Test of “Botham’s Ashes” in 1981. John made 102 in the first innings and was the 6th wicket to fall for 34 out of Australia’s total of 111 chasing 130. He scored 1015 runs @ 63 with a best of 241 to be named Sheffield Shield player of the year in 1983/84.
Dyson also excelled on the rebel tours of South Africa scoring 577 runs @ 44 in 1985/86 & 522 @ 52 the following season against a quality fast bowling attack containing Garth LeRoux & Clive Rice.
In addition to his batting feats, he is also responsible for one of the greatest catches ever seen at The SCG catching Sylvester Clarke in the outfield off the bowling of Bruce Yardley.
After retiring as a player he progressed to coaching, taking charge of Sri Lanka in 2003 and West Indies in 2007 and was also the General manager of the Sydney Thunder in the BBL
What year were you born?
1954
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
U12s playing for Jannali Boys CC v Kirrawee at Forest Rd Oval, Kirrawee. I scored 67 & took 4-27.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey? Where you’ve played, clubs you’ve played for?
Junior cricket for Jannali Boys CC. School cricket for Jannali Boys HS. While still playing junior cricket on Saturday mornings played two years with Kogarah Dragons A2 (men’s comp) on Saturday afternoons. First grade club was Sutherland District Cricket Club. Also played grade cricket for Randwick and Sydney University. Finished my grade career back home at Sutherland. I played first class cricket for NSW & Australia.
At what age did you make your debut in grade, Shield & Test cricket & how did you go?
Debut grade cricket in 1971, scored 20 odd. Shield cricket v Qld at SCG in 1975-76, scored 13. Australia v India at Perth, 1977-78, scored 53.
John Dyson
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
241 for NSW v SA at Adelaide Oval.
What did you bowl & were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Bowled pace in junior cricket and off spin in senior cricket, best bowling v SA at Adelaide, 0.1-0-1.
As if facing the cream of the West Indies fast bowlers wasn’t a big enough challenge, you signed up to go to South Africa – who were the best fast bowlers you have played against?
Pace (in no particular order)- Malcolm Marshall, Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Colin Croft, Michael Holding, Patrick Patterson, Sylvester Clarke, Bob Willis, Ian Botham, Clive Rice, Sir Richard Hadlee, Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, Jeff Thomson, Len Pascoe, Rod Hogg, Dennis Lillee, Terry Alderman, Carl Rackemann.
They all had varying degrees of pace, swing & bounce but all had great control, determination and competitiveness.
Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Colin Croft and Joel Garner
Who has been the best three spinners you have played against?
India: Bishen Bedi, Prasanna, Chandrasekhar- all had control, subtle variety and worked well together.
Pakistan: Abdul Qadir, fantastic variety, aggressive, always attacking.
England: John Emburey, great control no rubbish!
Bishen Bedi
What batsmen did you most like watching?
Bob Simpson, Viv Richards, Greg Chappell, Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Mahela Jayawardena, Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, Jimmy Cook, Graeme Pollock, AB de Villiers, Geoff Boycott, Ian Botham, Glenn Turner, Zaheer Abbas, Majid Khan.
Which are the most memorable innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Ian Botham’s century at Headingley, 1981, self-explanatory.
Alan Border’s 62no at MCG v England, 1982, because of his focussed concentration, technical skill and ability to bat “with the tail” under enormous pressure.
Chris Gayle 104 v England at Sabina Park, 2009, when he started by hitting a “fired up” Freddie Flintoff back over his head for six in the first over then showed concentration and technique to score a century in front of his home crowd.
Graeme Pollock 144 v Australian XI (“Rebel Team”) at Port Elizabeth, 1987. I couldn’t believe that a player of his age, who had been out of international cricket for so long could make it look so easy to find the gaps!
Ian Botham
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Steve Rixon, to spinners. Rod Marsh, to quicks. Bob Taylor (England) up there with them both.
Who are the three players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Clive Rice, South Africa. Ian Botham, England. Imran Khan, Pakistan. All greatly skilled, ultra- competitive all-rounders of their era.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Bob Simpson who, when he came out of retirement to captain NSW & Australia, still had tremendous skills, held the respect of the team, was an excellent tactician and was able to promote a new work ethic and professionalism into his team(s).
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Geoff Barron (Sutherland DCC fast bowler) whose excuses for being late, unwell, unfit, bowling no balls and unwanted bouncers and getting out always cracked me up.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Grade cricket (I wasn’t playing but heard various recounts of the story) when Evan Atkins ran his captain Len Pascoe out. On returning to the dressing room and being questioned by Len, Evan quickly replied, “You would have made it if you’d slid your nose”.
Who was your childhood cricketing hero?
Bob Simpson
Bob Simpson
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Dino Zoff, former goalkeeper for Italy who played 112 matches for Italy, 1968-1983.
Kim Brennan, 2016 Olympic 2000m rowing gold medallist. 16 times National Champion, 2 times World Champion, 3 times Olympian.
Steffi Graf, only tennis player in history to have won the “Calendar Slam” across three different surfaces.
Steffi Graf
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
When I was young and listening on the radio, John Arlott. Early TV days, Norman May then Richie Benaud, Bill Lawry & Tony Greig. These days Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Sydney Cricket Ground.
Were you really a soccer goalkeeper?
Played semi-professional football (soccer) as a goalkeeper for Sutherland and St George.
What did you enjoy most about playing cricket?
Batting! Then the barramundi for lunch at the Gabba.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Scoring a Test century at the SCG with Mum & Dad present.
What do you recall about your best innings?
A couple had the same “features”- if it was up, I played forward, and if it was short I played back. If it was a good ball I defended it, if it was rubbish I attacked it and found the gap. The ball seemed so clear I clearly saw the seam and the gold writing embossed on it. It felt that I had more time than usual to play my strokes, almost as though time slowed down. Noise disappeared when concentrating on each delivery.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Sheffield Shield final v Qld at SCG, 1985.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Kerry O’Keefe (leave the silly laugh at home but bring some jokes and cricket knowledge), Imran Khan (providing he provides security & bullet proof vests) & Geoffrey Boycott (always has an opinion and an excellent cricket knowledge).
What music would be playing?
Dire Straits, Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson.
Dire Straits
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Never swear at your Mum and don’t shave during an earthquake.
What was your biggest challenge when coaching the West Indies?
The fact that the players were spread so far apart on different island nations.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Thanks to the ACA I’m involved with Sutherland District CC to help with the batsmen.
If you were running Cricket Australia what would be your 2 priorities to ensure cricket remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Reduce the size of the administration and eliminate duplication at state level.
Restore the Sheffield Shield to its former position of being a world class competition played on world class grounds.
