My first captain for NSW was Steve Waugh, which was unbelievable: Bollinger
DOUGLAS Erwin Bollinger, one of the few cricketers to represent Australia and NSW in the three forms of the game, has hung up his boots after a very successful 15-year first class career.
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HILLS Local Douglas Erwin Bollinger, one of the few cricketers to represent Australia and NSW in the three forms of the game, has hung up his boots after a very successful 15-year first class career.
A crowd favourite, the 36-year-old left arm paceman announced his retirement on Monday, with Cricket NSW CEO Andrew Jones calling him a “larger than life presence on and off the field”.
Bollinger, who lives in The Ponds, began his first class cricket with NSW against Queensland in 2002 and finishes as the third most successful fast bowler in the state (290 wickets), behind Geoff Lawson (395) and Mike Whitney (314).
He is the ninth in the all-time NSW bowling list.
The 191cm tall Bollinger also played for T20 for Sydney Sixers, Sydney Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes and Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, with English county stints with Worcestershire and Kent.
Bollinger, who only took to cricket aged 15 starting with Seven Hills-Toongabbie RSL, said he wanted to spend more time with his wife Tegan and children Skye and Liam.
He thanked Steve Rixon and Trevor Bayliss, who were the NSW Blues’ coach and assistant coach when he began.
“I was pretty raw and they gave me a really good chance at cricket,” Bollinger said.
“My first captain for NSW was Steve Waugh, which was unbelievable.
“I played under some great captains and players for NSW and Australia including Steve, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting.
“To play for 15 or 16 seasons with the SCG as my home ground has been amazing.
“It’s been a great ride.
“I met so many wonderful people and achieved the ultimate ambition of playing Test cricket for Australia.
“A special thank you to all the great people at Cricket NSW who helped me on my journey.
“Now it’s time for the next stage of my life with my wife Tegan and my children Skye and Liam. I couldn’t have achieved everything I have without them.”
Bollinger played the last of his 12 Tests in 2012, taking 50 wickets at an average of 25.92. In 39 one-day internationals, he took 62 wickets from 39 (average 23.90) and had nine wickets in nine T20 games.
He made his Test debut in 2009 against South Africa. He now plays regular golf and is the face for Cancer Council NSW’s new campaign urging golfers to wear sunscreen wile playing.
Cricket NSW CEO Andrew Jones said Bollinger gave his heart and soul to the Blues and will be sadly missed.
“Doug was a larger than life presence on and off the field,” Mr Jones said.
“Whether it was charging in full throttle for another delivery, celebrating a wicket with unrestrained joy or being the personality of the dressing rooms, he was always imposing himself on the game.
“Doug will always be an important part of the NSW Cricket family.”
Sydney Sixers General Manager Dom Remond said Bollinger was a committed member of the team for the past few seasons.
“He is an absolute crowd favourite and his humour and entertainment factor will be missed,’ Redmond said.
“We wish him and his family well in their next chapter and congratulate him on a fabulous career,” Mr Remond said.