David Boon

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	Tests	ODIs
David Boon Australia (Aus)

Batting style	Right-handed batsman (RHB)
Bowling type	Right-arm Off Break (OB)
Matches	107	181
Runs scored	7,422	5,946
Batting average	43.65	37.04
100s/50s	21/32	5/37
Top score	200	122
Overs bowled	6	13.4
Wickets	0	0
Bowling average	-	-
5 wickets in innings	0	0
10 wickets in match	0	n/a
Best bowling	-	-
Catches/stumpings	99/0	45/0
As of 28 August 2005 Source: Cricinfo.com

“Boonie” redirects here. For the headwear, see Boonie hat.

David Clarence Boon, usually referred to as Boony (born December 29, 1960, in Launceston, Tasmania) is a former Australian cricketer of the 1980s and 1990s. He was a stocky right-hand batsman who fielded at short leg.

1 Career
2 Cult Figure
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Career

Making his Test debut against the West Indies in Brisbane in 1984, he went on to be one of Australia's most prolific run scorers.

Following Boon's retirement from international cricket, Tasmania proclaimed November 14, 1996 David Boon Day, and an all-star testimonial match was held in his honour.

Boon is currently a member of the Cricket Australia selection board, along with fellow colourful cricketer Merv Hughes, former Australian opener and current chairman, Andrew Hilditch and the newly appointed Jamie Cox.

[edit] Cult Figure

Nicknamed 'Boony', the stocky, moustached batsman became something of a cult figure for his colourful character.

The ABC comedy show The Late Show gave him the moniker of "Dead-set Legend"

The Billy Birmingham series "Wired World of Sports" also poked fun at his Tasmanian origins and usual fielding position with the pretend Richie Benaud voice saying "Australia then brought on a short backward square... David Boon being the natural choice"

He famously vomited on the Adelaide Oval in a WSC game in 1988 before a live national television audience of millions (he went on to make 122 and win Man Of The Match). He has also been popular for his drinking exploits and singing of team songs.

Boon achieved much fame and notoriety for consuming 52 cans of beer on a flight between London and Sydney^[1] before the victorious Ashes tour that saw Australia regain the trophy after five years of English dominance; the previous record had been held by Rod Marsh, with 48. He is often jokingly referred to as the "Keg on Legs" because of his legendary drinking exploits and dogged, iconoclastic batting displays. He is a unique interview guest, often giving short, clipped, amiable answers to every question.

More recently he became the face of Victoria Bitter (VB) beer for its 2005/06 summer advertising campaign, called Boonanza. Part of the promotion was the sale of a talking David Boon figurine with purchases of beer, which would make comments when prompted by Channel Nine commentary.

The promotion caused some controversy. One health expert claimed it was a "..a dog-whistle marketing strategy directed at the heavy-drinking, sporting public that says, 'Go for it'." ^[2]