Wicket keeping legend and commentator Ian Healy reckons beer and sport go hand in hand.
How does it feel to have invented the iconic Aussie cricketing phrase, "Bowling Shane"?
When you’re playing, you don’t actually realise how much the punters at home can hear you, which can be good and bad. But "Bowling Shane" is pretty good. I get it everywhere.
What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you on the pitch?
I got hit in the nether regions three times in two overs at the MCG. [West Indies pacemen] Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose were bowling. The crowd started laughing, as they do any time someone gets hit there. I got out soon after and felt pretty crook.
Were you keen on the booze back in the day?
Not just back in the day. I still am, mate. I think alcohol is a very important part of cricket. If you can’t relax with your teammates over a few beers, you’re not going to get any benefits out of the game. I think sport’s got it wrong with the strict attitude towards alcohol. There are plenty of positives to having a beer with your teammates.
Will anyone ever break Boonie’s record of downing 52 tinnies on a flight from Sydney to London?
It’s untouchable. There’s no way anyone will ever break Boonie’s record. The team probably doesn’t even have that many beers in a whole tour of England now. Having said that, if Doug Bollinger locked himself away in the cargo hold, I reckon he could come pretty close.
Have you got any funny stories involving Richie Benaud?
He swore on air one morning. Quite often, you don’t remember what you’ve said, because you’re thinking ahead and watching the game. It was on a Saturday morning at a game over
in England and he said something like, "Everyone’s rolled up to the cricket after morning sport and going home to put the shopping and s_t on the shelves." Everyone in the box just
fell over. Richie didn’t even realise he’d done it.
Does much sledging go on in the commentary box?
Heaps. Richie, Bill, Ian, Tony — they’re extremely tough men and all former captains. They certainly let you know what they’re thinking and there’s always a debate about something, whether it’s a current cricketer or picking your career to bits.
Dan Steiner
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