IT all began on a concrete wicket at Wombat.
More than 35 years later, the career of one of Harden’s greatest cricketers, if not the greatest, Simon Doolan came to an end.
When Harden wrapped up the 2009/10 Merrin Cup with a comprehensive 2-0 victory over old foes Big O, Doolan called stumps on an association with the bastion of summer sports that has been extensive as it has been
exemplary.
At the annual presentation dinner held at the Cootamundra Ex-Services Club, Doolan was rewarded for his service to the Cootamundra association when he was presented with an award recognising his 25 Years Service to the Merrin Cup.
The consummate professional, Doolan (upon hearing whispers of some sort of award) had prepared a speech, delivering it with the same excellence he had delivered with the bat and ball during his glittering career.
From the moment he was asked to fill in for Wombat as a seven or eight year old and claiming a wicket in his first match, Doolan was hooked.
“If I recall correctly, the ball landed halfway down the concrete wicket, the batsman took a huge swipe and missed the ball and was bowled,” Doolan said.
“At the end of the over the umpire gave me my hat and said that was a great googly. Now I was only young at the time, but even I knew that a googly was associated with spin bowling.
“And so the seed had been sown, I decided then I wanted to be a fast bowler.”
That decision led to Doolan enjoying a magnificent career in which was highlighted when he represented NSW Country against the mighty West Indians in a one-day match at Armidale, claiming the wicket of Richie Richardson.
Doolan took time to thank two players he said had a significant influence on his career, Greg Bennett and Tom Purcell.
“Greg was ruthless, aggressive, passionate, skillful and a superb
tactician,” Doolan said.
“Greg could read a game like no other; he seemed to know what was
coming. Only truly great players have this gift and Greg was one of them. His guidance and leadership was second to none and it played a major part in my eventual understanding of the game.”
Doolan was even more glowing in his praise of Purcell.
“Without a doubt Tom is the reason why Harden won the Merrin Cup four times in my career,” he said.
“He was the greatest motivator in cricketing circles I have ever met. There wasn’t much Tom couldn’t do except bowl fast, so I guess that’s where I came in and boy did I get an education.
“Tom was all class and I was fortunate enough to get an insight to what it was like to play cricket with one of the best.”
Doolan declared captaining Harden to the 1995/96 Merrin Cup
premiership as his proudest moment of his career, describing it as ‘a reward not only for me but the players who turned up each week, took wickets and catches, made runs and contributed in any way they could’.
He also thanked three close friends in Tom O’Brien, Bill Stanley and Craig Henman who shared the final years of his career with him and helped shape the next generation of cricketers from the twin town.
“If I could leave some advice for junior players starting their careers, it would be respect your opposition, value your wicket, never give in and don’t be frightened to have a go,” Doolan said.
You could say it was a mantra Simon Doolan lived by from the time he first rolled his arm over on the concrete wicket at Wombat.
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