Christopher Davies (cricketer)
Encyclopedia
Christopher James "Chris" Davies (born 15 November 1978 in Bedford Park
) is a retired first-class cricketer who played for the Southern Redbacks
. He is currently the CEO
of the Woodville-West Torrens Football Club
.
first XI at the age of just 14 before going on to both win the South Australia Young Cricketer of the Year Award 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
captain Simon Goodwin
, Davies made both his First Class and List-A debuts with the Redbacks
in 1997. This was followed in 1998 by an explosive 125-run man-of-the-match performance in the Mercantile Mutual Cup against a Western Warriors
outfit featuring present and future Australian internationals Michael Hussey, Damien Martyn, Tom Moody, Simon Katich, Brendon Julian, Ryan Campbell and Adam Gilchrist.
Davies went on to play a total of 25 Sheffield Shield and 38 List-A matches for his State, making two First Class centuries (high score of 125) and the single aforementioned List-A century before a series of debilitating shoulder injuries forced his premature retirement in March 2004.
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
, an affliction Davies also suffers from. "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.
to the Minor Premiership of South Australia's A-Grade competition in 2004-05, winning coach of the year in the process. In May 2007 he was appointed captain-coach of the prestigious Melbourne Cricket Club
on a two-year contract 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.
In September 2008, Davies was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Woodville-West Torrens Football Club.
Bedford Park, South Australia
Bedford Park is a southern suburb of Adelaide in South Australia.The Hancock family established a homestead and farm at the foot of the Adelaide Hills in the mid 19th century. A family name from an earlier generation lent its name to the property of Bedford which was later changed to Bedford Park...
) is a retired first-class cricketer who played for the Southern Redbacks
Southern Redbacks
The South Australia cricket team, nicknamed the Southern Redbacks and known as the West End Redbacks due to their sponsorship agreement with local brewers West End, are an Australian first class cricket team based in Adelaide, South Australia, and represent the state of South Australia...
. He is currently the CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of the Woodville-West Torrens Football Club
Woodville-West Torrens Football Club
Woodville-West Torrens Football Club is an Australian rules football club playing in the South Australian National Football League . It was formed in 1990 from an amalgamation of the neighbouring Woodville and West Torrens football clubs and played its inaugural game in 1991...
.
Playing career
A highly-promising number three batsman as a junior, Davies broke into the Southern DistrictsSouthern Districts Cricket Club
The Southern Districts Cricket Club is a semi-professional cricket club in Adelaide, South Australia. It competes in the South Australian Grade Cricket League, which is administered by the South Australian Cricket Association ....
first XI at the age of just 14 before going on to both win the South Australia Young Cricketer of the Year Award 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
Adelaide Crows
The Adelaide Football Club, nicknamed The Crows, is a professional Australian rules football club based in Adelaide, South Australia, playing in the Australian Football League ....
captain Simon Goodwin
Simon Goodwin
Simon Goodwin is a former Australian rules footballer, who is a dual premiership player with the Adelaide Football Club and is now an assistant coach at the Essendon Football Club.-Early career :...
, Davies made both his First Class and List-A debuts with the Redbacks
Southern Redbacks
The South Australia cricket team, nicknamed the Southern Redbacks and known as the West End Redbacks due to their sponsorship agreement with local brewers West End, are an Australian first class cricket team based in Adelaide, South Australia, and represent the state of South Australia...
in 1997. This was followed in 1998 by an explosive 125-run man-of-the-match performance in the Mercantile Mutual Cup against a Western Warriors
Western Warriors
The Western Australia cricket team are an Australian first class cricket team representing the state of Western Australia...
outfit featuring present and future Australian internationals Michael Hussey, Damien Martyn, Tom Moody, Simon Katich, Brendon Julian, Ryan Campbell and Adam Gilchrist.
Davies went on to play a total of 25 Sheffield Shield and 38 List-A matches for his State, making two First Class centuries (high score of 125) and the single aforementioned List-A century before a series of debilitating shoulder injuries forced his premature retirement in March 2004.
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
Jason Gillespie
Jason Neil Gillespie is an Australian cricketer who formerly represented Australia at international level, in both Tests and One Day Internationals, and South Australia, Yorkshire and Glamorgan at first-class level. His primary role is as a right-arm fast-medium bowler, but he is also a competent...
.
Davies took the opportunity to send a message to kids with cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a recessive genetic disease affecting most critically the lungs, and also the pancreas, liver, and intestine...
, an affliction Davies also suffers from. "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.
Coaching career
Upon retiring from first class level, Davies coached the Adelaide Cricket ClubAdelaide Cricket Club
Adelaide Cricket Club or is a semi-professional cricket club in Adelaide, South Australia. It competes in the South Australian Grade Cricket League, which is administered by the South Australian Cricket Association...
to the Minor Premiership of South Australia's A-Grade competition in 2004-05, winning coach of the year in the process. In May 2007 he was appointed captain-coach of the prestigious Melbourne Cricket Club
Melbourne Cricket Club
The Melbourne Cricket Club is a sporting club based in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 1838 and is regarded as the oldest sporting club in Australia....
on a two-year contract 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.
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 and is widely regarded as one of the sport's best young administrators.In September 2008, Davies was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Woodville-West Torrens Football Club.