Premier Cricket: Ringwood champion David King set to play 250th First XI match

It’s another big milestone for the man widely regarded as Ringwood’s greatest ever. David King reflects on his 15 years in the top-flight.

Ringwood captain David King will play his 250th First XI match this weekend. Picture: Valeriu Campan

He’s comfortably regarded as the greatest player to have represented Ringwood Cricket Club across its century-long history.

And Rams captain David King will add yet another honour to a lengthy list of career achievements, as he runs out for his 250th First XI match this weekend.

The milestone joins three First XI premierships, more than 10,000 runs (a club record), more than 250 wickets, six Premier team of the year honours, four club champion awards, life membership, a 2001-2010 team of the decade gong and a Ryder Medal to name a mere few honours.

The 31-year-old sits top for achievements at Ringwood, among the renowned King family synonymous with the club.

As the youngest of the clan, the 250-gamer says it was a foregone conclusion that he would one day follow the family legacy. He started as a junior at age six but has been part of the furniture at Russell Lucas Oval for as long as he can remember.

David’s father, Robin, and grandfather, Norm, played at the club, as did uncles Noel, and Chris – who opened the batting in its inaugural Premier match in 1974. Older brothers Michael and Matt followed in the footsteps, as did cousin, Daniel King.

Norm (front, centre) with grandsons Matthew and Daniel (front) Michael and David (second row) and sons Robin, Chris and Noel in 2006. Picture: LAWRENCE PINDER

“It’s just been a family following,” King said.

“For me, I suppose I was just the last one to follow the line essentially … I don’t think I really had an option!”

Ringwood coach Sean Flynn was captain of the First XI when King made his debut in 2006, presenting the then rising star with his cap. King would go on to break Flynn’s games record (244) in season 2020-21.

But the coach remembers the potential shown by King years before.

“We identified that (his talent) when he was about eight years old, hitting balls out the front of the club rooms,” Flynn said.

“He was always around the club as a small kid. He always had freakish hand-eye coordination, was always so athletic and he’s just kept fine-tuning his skills as he’s got older.”

David King has returned to the Rams’ captaincy.

King says coming from a strong sporting family has helped drive him – and it’s easy to see how – the Kings are sporting royalty in Melbourne’s east.

Michael ‘Zippy’ King is still a damaging cricketer for South Croydon in the RDCA – he also kicked more than 600 goals across South Croydon and Chirnside Park in more than 250 games in his footy career. Matt was a lethal left-hander at the crease across multiple clubs, Daniel captained South Croydon to its first top-flight premiership and won the EFL’s Chandler Medal in 2013, and cousin Steve Dinnell enjoyed a decorated footy career which included two VFL flags with North Ballarat.

David was also more than handy as a footballer in the Eastern league’s top division for South Croydon, before retiring in 2016.

“It definitely helps to bring out that competitive spirit and being in my family of three boys … seven years younger than Michael and five years younger than Matt, I always had that competitive drive to try and beat them at a young age, whether that be at backyard cricket, or anything really,” King said.

“I think it definitely helps having cousins and brothers interested in the same sports – I think sometimes being the youngest can actually help drive that competitive nature and I like to think of myself as a competitive person. There’s no doubt that those earlier days definitely would have contributed to that.

“I haven’t felt pressure to deliver, but having that (family) as well, using their experience to help you get to the next level, also helps.”

He played with and against plenty of household names through his time as a junior and senior Victorian cricketer – and as an Australian under-19 representative at the 2007-08 World Cup.

Steve Smith, Phil Hughes, Josh Hazlewood, James Faulkner, James Pattinson, Marcus Stoinis to name just a few.

“I think Josh Hazlewood got me out at every level – ‘15s, ‘17s, ‘19s, and Sheffield Shield – but it’s okay to be a bunny to one of the best bowlers in the world,” King laughed.

It’s impossible to argue King didn’t have the makings of a career in first-class cricket – but he feels humbled to have represented Victoria at senior level.

“I suppose I can’t complain too much, because I did get that opportunity where I played a couple of (Sheffield Shield) games back in 2014 and unfortunately I didn’t grab that opportunity with both hands,” King said.

“I do think that I was up to that state level standard, and to get to the next level, Australia, you need to get to that state level and perform.

“It’s a little bit frustrating now, but I’ll look back and say it was pretty cool to play for Victoria as well … I still got to represent my state which is exciting.”

King has earned six Premier team of the year gongs. Picture: Valeriu Campan

As for the title of Ringwood’s greatest-ever player? It’s simply not up for debate in the eyes of club stalwarts.

“Most definitely he is,” Flynn said.

“He averages 38 with the bat, which is going to put him up with Darren Dempsey, Brendan Ricci and Tom Stray on the batting side of things, then add in his couple of hundred or so wickets, hat-tricks and other bits and pieces … all-round impact, he’s unrivalled.”

Former club president Mark Freeman agrees.

“From a consistency point of view, he’s played 14 seasons of First XI cricket and he’s scored 600 runs plus in 10 of those 14 seasons,” Freeman said following King’s 2019-20 Ryder Medal win.

It’s a humbling tag to own for the Rams champ, who cites former captain and batsman Tom Stray, paceman Matt Gale and all-rounder Ian Holland as the best he’s played with at the club.

He also credits the likes of Dempsey and former leading wicket-taker Darryl Stranger for paving the way.

“It’s quite nice to hear my name up with some of those, you feel a bit chuffed sometimes about it, but there’s a lot of other really good players that set the tone,” King said.

“I was lucky that the time I came along, I played in three premierships which a lot of people don’t get that opportunity, I think a lot of those aforementioned players played a role in setting the club up for when I came along.”

The premierships rank far above any of the individual honours for King, however the 2019-20 Ryder Medal holds a special place. But the six teams of the year are a point of pride.

“It’s something a little bit different but it shows that consistency … it’s going to be a nice one to look back on as well,” King said.

And it’s the pursuit of another flag that’s driving the 31-year-old.

“That’s why I’m still playing now, to try and win another premiership,” he said.

“But probably more to the point, only about four or five of the current team have even played in a final … so I really want to help those guys experience that high (of a premiership) – there’s nothing better in sport.

“I’m happy to (keep playing) as long as my eyes and my body let me.”

David King — by the numbers:

First XI cap number – 165

Jack Ryder Medal (2019-20)

288 club matches – (249 First XI – all-time most at Ringwood)

10,128 club runs – (9,177 First XI – leader in both)

257 club wickets – (230 First XI)

Four club champion awards (Don Mathieson Medal – ‘11-12, ‘15-16, ‘17-18, ‘19-20)

Four First XI club batting trophies (LW Ewart Trophy – ‘11-12, ‘14-15, ’15-16, ’17-18)

First XI club bowling trophy (LH McLeod Trophy – ‘19-20)

Ringwood Cricket Club Most Promising Player (2006-07)

Ringwood Cricket Club Life Member

Team of the decade member (2001-2010)

Six Premier team of the year selections (‘11-12, ‘13-14, ‘14-15, ‘15-16, ‘17-18, ‘19-20)

Future Star Award (2008-09)

Cricket Victoria 200 Club member

Three-time 1st XI premiership player (‘07-08, ‘08-09, ‘14-15)

18 First XI finals appearances (equal most at the club)

Fourth XI premiership player (‘05-06)

First XI captain (‘16-17, ‘17-18, 2021 – present)

Highest RCC First XI season runs aggregate – 916 runs (‘15-16)

Highest RCC club season runs aggregate – 916 runs (‘15/16)

Victorian representative:

Under-15 (SSV) – 2004-05

Under-17 – 2006-07

Under-19 – 2007-08; 2008-09

Sheffield Shield – 2014-15 (two matches)

Australian representative:

Under-19 – 2007-08 (World Cup)