The life of David Hookes will be remembered for many things in his life, but sadly at the age of 48 his death has cut down someone in the prime of his life. The name of Hookes first became known when in the centenary test in 1977 David hit 6 4’s off the bowling of Tony Greig in one over. Again his name hit the spotlight when Hookes joined a brigade of rebel players in what was known as World Series Cricket. His first season was waylaid by an infamous bouncer by Andy Roberts that broke his jaw ,in World Series Cricket his career became better known for this incident. On his re-introduction into first class cricket Hookes struggled, and struggled in his return series in Pakistani 1980.
Over the next 6 years Hookes was in and out of the Australian team never securing a place in the side, but there were highlights and that included his 143 Vs Srilanka in their first test series against Australia. Davids’ career was not highlighted by a great test career, but rather a dashing one as he was a great attacking batsmen and this was shown by his many innings for South Australia in Sheffield Shield cricket.
At the end of Davids’ career he headed for radio where he was well known for his outspokenness, this was followed up by his involvement in Foxtel as a lead commentator, commentating on many foreign Australian cricket tours. Apart from Hookes’ leading of the Foxtel cricket show Inside Cricket and his radio commentary, Hookes took on the job of coaching the Victorian Bushrangers.
David Hookes was best known as a social commentator and he made strong comments publicly about the career of the Waughs, the Shane Warne scandals, Simon Katichs’ selection in the test squad, his views on domestic cricket and offered a view to the lack of Victorians in the national team. One thing is for sure Hooksey was never short of a word and its his sports commentary and his potential as a cricket player that David Hookes will be remembered for, and of course that one glorious over in the centenary test match.
Goodbye David and thanks for all the memories.