David William Hookes was a natural, aggressive, and irrepressible cricket player from Australia. Born on May 3, 1955, in Adelaide, South Australia, Hookes had an innate talent for the sport that made him stand out among his peers. His confident and flamboyant playing style harkened back to a time when cricket was more spontaneous and vibrant.
Hookes burst onto the scene in his second season of domestic cricket, at just 21 years old. In a remarkable display of skill, he scored five Sheffield Shield centuries from six innings, including back-to-back centuries in consecutive games. This achievement had only been accomplished once before, 70 years earlier. His impressive performances earned him the recognition of Australia’s Cricketer magazine, which hailed him as the new rising star of Australian cricket.
It was during the Centenary Test in March 1977 that Hookes truly made his mark on the international stage. Playing alongside cricket legends Greg Chappell and Doug Walters, he entertained the crowd with a series of five consecutive fours off Tony Greig’s off-spin deliveries. This cameo innings instantly made him the face of Australia’s cricket future and caught the attention of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket.
Hookes thrived during his years in World Series Cricket. He showcased his batting prowess, scoring 770 runs at an average of 38.50 in a dozen SuperTests, making him Australia’s third-highest scorer behind the Chappell brothers. However, tragedy struck in December 1977 when he had his jaw shattered by a bouncer from Andy Roberts. Despite the injury, Hookes continued to play with an intense passion that left a lasting impression on all who witnessed his determination.
After the integration of World Series Cricket players into official cricket, Hookes faced setbacks due to a knee injury and poor performances during a tour of Pakistan. However, he bounced back in December 1980, captaining South Australia to a Sheffield Shield victory. In the following summer, Hookes had a free-swinging season, scoring 1,424 runs at an impressive average of 64.72. He followed this up with his only Test century, an unbeaten 143 against Sri Lanka.
Though Hookes struggled to maintain consistency at the international level, he was widely regarded as a destroyer of second-rate bowling in first-class cricket. His extraordinary performances in Sheffield Shield matches, particularly at the Adelaide Oval with its short square boundaries, became the stuff of legend. Hookes set records for speed and scale, including a century off just 34 balls and an unbeaten 306 in a partnership of 462 with Wayne Phillips.
After retiring from playing cricket, Hookes shied away from an administrative career and instead embraced a role in radio. In Melbourne, he hosted the popular show Sports Today on station 3AW alongside Gerard Healy. Hookes was not afraid to express his opinions, and his reckless abandon in doing so endeared him to many listeners. He even played a part in exposing the involvement of Shane Warne and Mark Waugh with a bookmaker in Sri Lanka.
In May 2002, Hookes was appointed as the coach of the Victoria cricket team. With his characteristic zeal, he transformed the team by focusing on young talent and infusing them with energy and drive. Under his leadership, Victoria found success, leading the Pura Cup and finishing second in the ING Cup at the time of Hookes’ untimely death.
David Hookes may have left this world tragically and prematurely, but his legacy in Australian cricket is already considerable. His natural ability, aggressive style, and commitment to the sport have made him a revered figure in Australian cricket history. His impact as a player, coach, and media personality continues to inspire and captivate cricket lovers around the world.
