David Boon

David Clarence Boon MBE, born on December 29, 1960, in Launceston, Tasmania, is an Australian cricket match referee, former cricket commentator, and international cricketer. His international playing career spanned from 1984 to 1996. A right-handed batsman and occasional off-spin bowler, Boon played first-class cricket for his home state Tasmania and English county side Durham. Boon’s early life saw him move with his family in Launceston, where his parents Clarrie and Lesley worked in a newsagency. His mother, Lesley, had previously represented Australia in hockey. At age 17, Boon made his first-class debut for Tasmania during the 1978–79 Sheffield Shield season, mentored by English coach Jack Simmons. His ability to develop into a prominent Test player from a less established cricket state highlighted his determination.

Boon made his international debut in February 1984 in a One Day International (ODI) against the West Indies. His Test debut followed in November 1984, also against the West Indies, where he scored 51 in the second innings. Initially struggling with spin bowling during the 1985 Ashes tour, Boon’s career saw a turning point when he was promoted to open the batting. He scored his first Test century, 123, in this new role against India at Adelaide. This shift, alongside Geoff Marsh, brought stability to the Australian batting order. Boon achieved his maiden ODI century, 111, against India in 1986. A significant milestone was his role in Australia’s first World Cup victory in 1987, where he was named player of the match in the final for his 75 runs against England in Kolkata. He was voted International Cricketer of the Year for the 1987-88 season after a strong performance, including an unbeaten 184 in the Bicentennial Test. He earned his highest Test score, 200, against New Zealand in 1989.

Throughout his career, Boon was a leading batsman, particularly notable for his performances in the Ashes series, contributing to four Australian victories. He consistently delivered against strong bowling attacks, including those from the West Indies and India. He scored three Test centuries against India in the 1991–92 season and hit centuries in three consecutive Tests in England in 1993. His 106 against New Zealand made him the first Tasmanian to score a Test century in Hobart. After a distinguished career with over 7,000 Test runs, Boon retired from international cricket in January 1996 following the Test series against Sri Lanka. Post-retirement, he captained Durham in the English county championship from 1997 to 1999 and accumulated 9,077 runs in first-class cricket for Tasmania. He later served as a national selector for Cricket Australia and, in May 2011, became an ICC match referee, replacing Alan Hurst on the Elite Panel. His contributions to cricket were recognised with an MBE in 1988, induction into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2005, and the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2017.