Almanac Dinners: An evening with Rick Darling

 

 

 

Spirits were high at the North Fitzroy Arms Hotel on Thursday night. A group of around 30 Almanacers gathered to listen to former Australian cricketer Rick Darling speak about his cricket career. The timing of the event could not have been better, the Aussies had the English on the ropes after a successful Day 1 of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s.

 

Everyone was incredibly excited to hear from a great cricketing mind, share a few yarns and watch S.P.D Smith bring up his 32^nd Test century as the Aussies looked to capitalise on a great start to the second test at Lord’s.

 

After everyone had a couple of drinks, dinner (tea as JTH put it) was served along with a few glasses of red and sporting tales of the past.

 

It was my first time at an Almanac event here in Victoria and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

 

JTH is a natural MC, the discussion was natural, like two old friends reminiscing. Rick held the room like a seasoned orator answering all sorts of questions about his career and the game of cricket.

 

One of the key points I took away from Rick’s speech was his mention that his career suffered from lack of coaching and mentoring. The English used to tour with a senior player that was a leader on tour providing players with vital feedback and being someone to talk to outside of the team setup. The Aussies didn’t have anything like that and Rick felt as if his career was not as successful as it otherwise might have been.

 

Rick also talked about touring the West Indies, particularly the Fifth Test in Jamaica in 1978, a Test that was infamously abandoned due to riots.

 

One thing neither Rick or any of the great sporting minds in the room could answer was one that all cricket fans around the world can’t answer- what is ‘Bazball’?

 

We were all enjoying Rick’s discussion so much we missed the moment Smith hit the triple figures but I’m sure we will see it again this series.

 

Following the conclusion of Rick’s speech, many of us purchased copies of Bush to Buckingham Palace: Crazy adventures of fun-loving cricketer Rick Darling, Rick’s autobiography which is an excellent read. The Lions-Tigers game wasn’t much of a contest by the conclusion of the event, all our attention was on the cricket.

 

It was a terrific night of sporting stories from a very different time in Australia’s cricketing history. A big thanks must go to The North Fitzroy Arms Hotel, John Harms, Rick Darling and all the Almanacers who were in attendance. I look forward to the next Almanac event!

 

Read Ian Hauser’s review of Rick’s book HERE

 

Bush to Buckingham Palace: Crazy adventures of fun-loving test cricketer
by Rick Darling
2022, Ryan Publishing, Melbourne
RRP $39.95
Also available as an eBook.
For copies, contact the Ryan Publishing, here.

 

 

More from Josh Coales can be read Here.

 

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