Vale / in Memorium

cooldewd · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 4:53 pm

Rod McCurdy was very overrated and there was a shortage of quallity fast bowlers at that stage.

The Dude

piedys · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 4:56 pm

Pa Marmo · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 5:35 pm

I am glad to be able to say that I am old enough to remember David Hookes making Tony Greig look very ordinary, as well as some of the most exciting one day performances you could wish to see. I remember when Hooksey broke his jaw and came back as good as new much to our delight. I loved his candour on the radio and it was only Hooksey that allowed me to put up with Gerard Heally and his tripe. So right at the moment I`m thinking this bloke who hit him should also be charged with theft. Why? Because he has stolen a mans life, a husband, a father, an orator and a legend. Hooksey, I pray the God of all peace watch over and protect your family and that justice is truly served. Thanks for the memories..........................Norm

commonwombat · commonwombat Joined: 12 Jul 2003 Location: sydney/s.africa

The lamentable McCurdy got his limited over run when DK had cashed in his super, Lenny and Thommo were past their best, Rackemann wasas usual on the injured list.

He rooted around Sth African domestic cricket post rebel tours with varied results. Kepler Wessels booted him out of Eastern Province for being a general negative influence.

Interesting that even some Vics can admit that they too have inficted some appalling hacks on Australian teams, not just NSW and Qld.

Have kept quiet on the Hookes issue and will keep my piece brief.

Let's just remember him for what he was and hope this "industry" comes to an end. He was a fine player for SA and a memorable entertainer whilst never really doing full justice to his talents at intl level.

He had considerable leadership gifts as evidenced by his tenure as SA captain and by his later work as Vic coach. His media career whilst lucrative was not to everyone's taste.

David Hookes' reputation and mark on the game does transcend his career figures. Let's remember and honour him for what he really was, not the media mythology around at the moment.

Donny · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 10:31 pm

Thousands pay tribute to Hookesy

Wisden Cricinfo staff

Ricky Ponting and his team were among around 15,000 mourners who gathered to pay their respects at the funeral of David Hookes at the Adelaide Oval. Hookes, 48, died last week following an assault outside a Melbourne hotel.

Ian Chappell, a close friend and former captain of Hookes's, delivered a moving eulogy, remembering his debut in the Centenary Test of 1977. "I think that innings is so typical of David, not only of his cricket career, but his life," Chappell said. "When everybody else was struggling with the occasion, Hookesy came along and put it all into perspective.

I can just imagine him saying, 'Well mate, it's just another game of cricket, a half-volley is a half-volley, you've got to whack it'.

"We will think of David always as someone who put entertainment ahead of personal achievement and he was a great reminder to us all, that after all, it is just a game."

Three stumps were placed at one end of the Adelaide Oval pitch where Hookes scored 20 of his 29 first-class centuries. A bat was left resting against them, as he had always done that during breaks in play. His red South Australia team cap was draped over the top of one of the stumps.

"Nothing can justify this senseless waste of life," Reverend Steven Ogden, the Dean of St Peter's Cathedral, told the gathering. "David did not deserve this and it offends all we hold dear and true, and we feel cheated.

There is no third umpire in the sky who we can turn to - we have to accept responsibility for our own actions and decisions. And because of that, we are outraged by what has happened to David. In the name and memory of David, we refuse to submit to the despair and violence of this world."

Hookes' brother, Terry Cranage, said: "It has been so difficult over the past week to absorb ... the tragedy of this insane incident. David my brother, David my mate, my hero - rest in peace as we that are left behind ask why."

Darren Lehmann, South Australia's captain, placed one of Hookes's old bats on the coffin before the crowd gave one final standing ovation.

Russell Crowe and boxing world champion Anthony Mundine mingled among what was almost a who's who of Australian cricket. Ian and Greg Chappell, Allan Border, Richie Benaud, Mark Taylor and Kim Hughes joined the current Australian, South Australian and Victoria teams. Martin Crowe, Tony Greig and Clive Lloyd were also in attendance.

The service was broadcast on national television.