Big, strong, barrel-chested, Ray Davies slipped seamlessly into the role of leg-spinning all-rounder left by the retiring Vic Cristofani. Ray loved to thump the ball when batting, fielded athletically and enthusiastically, and was always a happy presence in the dressing room.
He took 19 wickets in 1969-70, his first full season, 26 in the second and 36 in Warren Saunders’ last year. Mostly he bowled in a support role, reaping the benefits of quality bowlers around him.
Bereft of Saunders, Watson, O’Keeffe, Leslie and Osborne in the next summer (1972-73), Ray struggled. Hopes he would become the No 1 spinner who could both attack and bowl tightly were not fulfilled. And in a sense it didn’t look right when the burly Ray tweaked his leggies delicately. Towards the end of the net sessions he would revert to bowling pace, and had batsman ducking and weaving. Eventually he was tried as a pace bowler in the firsts and proved much more effective with a haul of 6-56 an excellent effort. For the next 10 years he bowled pace in first grade and finished with 245 first grade wickets and 451 in all grades for the club.
Ray loved St George and has stayed involved as a long-term chairman of selectors, a link with pat players, and the doer of good things around the club. In particular his mentor/caring role with Rod Luckman over 30 years does him enormous credit.
The story was originally published in John Rogers book 'Mr St George' - Warren Saunders and the culture he inspired
last year
Responses
Greg Hartshorne
Cricket Coach
last year
Always a pleasure playing against the big man. Remember many tussles he had with Riles!
