Christopher Davies (cricketer)

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Christopher James "Chris" Davies (born 15 November 1978 in Bedford Park) is a retired first-class cricketer who played for the Southern Redbacks. He was most recently coach of the Melbourne Cricket Club. He also suffers from the genetic condition cystic fibrosis.

Contents

[edit] Playing Career

A highly-promising number three batsman as a junior, Davies broke into the Southern Districts first XI at the age of just 14 before going on to both win the South Australia Young Cricketer of the Year Award[1] and represent Australia at Under-19 level, vice-captaining the side at the 1996 youth World Cup. After co-captaining the South Australia under-19 side with future Adelaide Crows champion Simon Goodwin, Davies made his first class debut with the Redbacks in 1997, going on to play 25 Sheffield Shield encounters and 38 limited overs matches for his State, making two centuries (high score of 125)[2] and showing tantalising glimpses of his potential before a series of shoulder injuries forced his premature retirement in March 2004.[3]

Shortly before his retirement Davies' efforts in the face of adversity were recognised at the 2003 The Advertiser-Channel 7 Sports Star of the Year Awards when he became the second recipient of the Tanya Denver Award after teammate Jason Gillespie.

Davies took the opportunity to send a message to kids with cystic fibrosis. "Winning the Tanya Denver Award is truly an honour. I hope that by me winning this award, young kids who also suffer from cystic fibrosis might just realise it still is possible to achieve your dreams - whether in sport or other facets of life," he said.[4].

[edit] Coaching Career

Upon retiring from first class level, Davies coached the Adelaide Cricket Club to the Minor Premiership of South Australia's A-Grade competition in 2004-05, winning coach of the year in the process.[5] In May 2007 he was appointed captain-coach of the prestigious Melbourne Cricket Club on a two-year contract[6] but resigned due to an inability to commit the necessary time to the position at the conclusion of the 2007/08 season after taking Melbourne to 2nd place in both the One Day and Two Day competitions - from 10th in season 2006/07 - and winning the Primary Edge Cup Twenty20 competition.[7]

[edit] Administration Career

In July 2005, Davies was appointed to the position of General Manager, Cricket Operations and Membership of the Australian Cricketers' Association - The representative body of First Class and International cricketers in Australia.[8]

[edit] References

Notes
  1. ^ 'Young Cricketer of the Year Award Past Recipients', Australian Cricket Society of South Australia
  2. ^ 'Rogers defies Redbacks again to force draw', The Age, 12 November 2002
  3. ^ South Australian Cricket Association Media Release, 'Chris Davies retires from first class cricket', 3 March 2004
  4. ^ South Australian Cricket Association Media Release, 'Chris Davies recognised with Tanya Denver Award', 7 February 2004.
  5. ^ 'Ben Johnson wins 2005 Bradman Medal', Official SACA Website, 16 March 2005
  6. ^ 'Chris Davies Profile', Official Website of the Melbourne Cricket Club, 1 May 2007
  7. ^ 'MCC appoints Adam Dale as head cricket coach', Official Website of the Melbourne Cricket Club, 1 May 2008
  8. ^ 'Chris Davies joins the ACA', Australian Cricketers' Association

[edit] External links

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