Davo down-under

John Davison made a name for himself with his stunning all-round performances at the 2003 World Cup in South Africafew will forget his record-breaking century against the West Indies. John currently is the only Canadian active in first-class cricket and in 2003-04 is representing South Australia. In 2002-03 John consolidated his place in the South Australian team, picking up 17 wickets in 6 first-class matches, and averaging 22.5 with the bat. He only played a single match in the ING Cup, and will be looking to build on his World Cup efforts in the one-day competition this year. John also plays for the Glenelg club in South Australian grade cricket.

We'll be updating these pages with news of John's season down-under and look forward to seeing him back in Canadian colours soon.

October 19-22: John opened the season with South Australia as they completed a solid opening round victory over Western Australia in the Pura Cup. He made a rapid 35 in 23 balls with 8 fours in the first innings, but only managed 6 in his second effort. Not called upon to bowl in the first innings he failed to capture a wicket as Western Australia were bowled out for 319, but bowled economically, conceding just 27 runs from 19 overs [Scorecard].

October 24: John's first effort in the one-day ING Cup was a re-match with Western Australia and was less successful. His 6 wicketless overs cost 41 runs, and when asked to take the pinch-hitting role, he hit his first ball for 4, but was caught in the gully from his second [Scorecard].

November 1: After taking part in a practice match against former team Victoria, John cemented his one-day place with a brilliant all-round performance in the ING Cup match against Tasmania. Asked to open the batting he top-scored with 59, made out of 116, with 8 fours from 65 balls - a relatively sedate effort for him but vital in allowing his side to reach a modest toal of 239. Tasmania looked to be cruising to victory at 149/3 with 27 overs remaining, when John struck, taking the next five wickets. His final figures were 5/26 off 8 overs, and South Australia won by 27 runs. [Scorecard].

November 3-6: John's somewhat up and down season continued as South Australia remained in Hobart for a Pura Cup match. Reverting to the more familiar 8 in the batting order for the 4-day game, John suffered the embarrasment of a golden duck, caught at 3rd slip trying to drive an over-pitched delivery. After bowling his first 8 overs for just 18 runs, John, along with most of the other South Australian bowlers struggled as Tasmania built a big lead. The match ended in a draw, with John making 23* as South Australia batted out time. [Scorecard].

November 9: John opened the batting as South Australia played Western Australia in the ING Cup. He got off to a flying start with a six over cover in the first over, and followed this with a second six over square leg. He made 36 off just 23 balls in an opening partnership of 51 before falling to a brilliant catch at cover from a powerful drive. When Western Australia batted, John took two of the three wickets to fall, having Langer caught at long-off, and North stumped. He bowled his ten overs straight through ending with 10-0-52-2, but Goodwin and Hussey took WA to victory [Scorecard].

November 18-21: South Australia took on the powerful NSW side in the Pura Cup. NSW batted first, and John bowled just 7 wicketless overs as they totaled 272. South Australia looked to be in some trouble in their reply standing at 177/6 when John came into bat. He and Cosgrove put on 181 for the 7th wicket, John's contribution being 84 off 81 balls with 13 fours. Although John went wicketless again in the 2nd innings his batting was a major contribution towards South Australia's 5 wicket win. [Scorecard].

November 23: John played a major part in South Australia's ING cup win over NSW. Opening the batting he made a rapid 48 off 41 balls, with 7 fours, whilst wickets tumbled at the other end. When he sliced a skier to cover he was 6th out with the total on 85, but a rearguard action by the Redbacks' tail took them to a winning total of 245. On a wicket that favoured pace, John did not need to bowl as SA cruised to a 61 run win, but took a nice catch to dismiss Steve Waugh [Scorecard].

November 27-30: Queensland batted first in the Pura Cup match at the Adelaide Oval, and seemed to be heading for a good total when John came on to bowl. He took a wicket in his 3rd over, having Martin Love caught at short leg. His second wicket was that of Law caught at mid-wicket, ending a crucial of 88, and later snagged Andy Bichel as he tried to hit him over mid-wicket. John help finish off the innings by taking a diving catch at square leg to break a stubborn last-wicket partnership. He was less successful with the bat, hitting a nice four to get off the mark but trapped in front by a yorker from Bichel 3 balls later. Queensland were in deep trouble when they batted again, losing their first 5 wickets for 46, before Law and Seccombe staged a recovery. They had put on 138 before John had Law caught at deep mid-on. He later dismissed Seccombe leg-before, fooling him with his arm-ball, and finished with figures of 18-2-83-2. South Australia needed 284 to win, but had a poor start, losing four wickets for 17. John batted at 9 and came in with the score on 191. Any hopes of a South Australian win ervaporated when he was caught behind for just 3. [Scorecard].

December 13: John played in grade cricket, the first day of Glenelg's match against Adelaide. He was not successful with the bat, not troubling the scorers, but bowled fourteen overs for 28 runs and one wicket [Scorecard].

December 17: Queensland were the next opponent in the Ing Cup as South Australia travelled to Brisbane. John was not asked to bowl until late in the innings and bowled 6 overs for 35 runs as Queensland looked to accelerate. He opened the batting, and initially had trouble finding the boundary, although scoring off nearly every ball. His first two fours were cut over point, and he gave a couple of half-chances from lofted drives. He hit Hopes square for six, and then reached a half-century off just 32 balls with a straight drive into the crowd. Hopes of a higher score were dashed when his partner Dietz called him for a quick single and he was run-out by Perren. He had made 55 from 39 balls in a partnership of 95 in just 15.3 overs. Unfortunately South australia squandered this excellent start to lose by 99 runs. [Scorecard].

Jan 12-14: Tasmania were the next Pura Cup opponent in a low-scoring match at the Adelaide Oval. John took the last wicket to fall in the Tasmania 1st innings, then, in company with several team-mates, failed to trouble the scorers as South Australia collapsed for just 112. John recorded figures of 39-9-85-2 in the Tasmanian 2nd innings, but failed with the bat again, making 4 as South Australia fell to a big defeat, and out of contention for the Pura Cup. [Scorecard].

Jan 18: Back to the ING Cup, with this time John's former team Victoria as opponents. In a close game, John bowled 7 overs for 35 runs and one wicket, a good spell late in the innings. Opening the batting in what is now his usual pinch hitting role he struck a big six over mid-off from his fourth ball but spooned a catch to mid-off trying to pull when he'd made just eight. Victoria won the game in the last over. [Scorecard].

Feb 1-4: South Australia took on John's former team Victoria in the Pura Cup. He went wicketless in the first innings, conceding 66 runs in 14 overs but made a useful 28 batting at eight. He had more success with the ball in the Victorian 2nd innings, taing 4 for 72, including the wicket of Brad Hodge, top-scorer in the innings. South Australia never got close to a target of 354, with John coming in to bat with the score on 109/6. He contributed a brisk 13, but Victoria won by nearly 200 runs [Scorecard].

Feb 8-11: South Australia played victoria again in the Pura Cup in a match of special significance. The match was originally scheduled for 23-26 Jan 2003 but was rescheduled after the death of the Victorian Coach David Hookes. In his honour Victoria and South Australia now play for the David Hookes Memorial Trophy in first-class cricket. South Australia batted first and struggled; John came into bat with the score on just 116 with 6 wickets down. He made a steady 30 as part of a useful partnership with Miller of 62. Victoria went on to build a big first innings lead thanks to an unbeaten 154 from Elliot, and John took a solitary wicket but was economical conceding 58 runs from 22 overs. The match was drawn however, as much of the last two days was washed out [Scorecard].