Motions

Davis, Mr Steve

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. T.J. Stephens:

That this council—

1. Celebrates the outstanding 25-year career of South Australian international cricket umpire, Steve Davis, upon his retirement in June;

2. Acknowledges Steve Davis's commitment to cricket in which he umpired 57 test matches, 137 One Day Internationals, and 26 T20 Internationals; and

3. Recognises the important role played by umpires, officials and volunteers in grassroots, state, national, and international sport.

(Continued from 13 April 2016.)

The Hon. T.T. NGO (21:00): I rise to indicate that the government supports this motion. After a prestigious career which has lasted a quarter of a century, one of the world's best known cricket umpires, South Australian Steve Davis, announced his retirement from the International Cricket Council (ICC) Elite Panel of Umpires. He officiated his final match as an international cricket umpire during the One Day International series between England and New Zealand, which concluded at the Riverside Ground on 20 June 2015. As cricket buffs would be aware, international cricket umpires are not able to officiate in matches that involve their home nation. It is a shame that his final game could not involve Australia or be on home soil for the benefit of his family.

Mr Davis was born in the UK and raised in South Australia. Steve Davis debuted as an international umpire in 1992 at the Adelaide Oval for a One Day International between Pakistan and the West Indies. This was a match in the old triangular series tournaments that are no longer held during the Australian summer. Five years later in 1997, he officiated in Hobart for his first test, umpiring the match featuring Australia playing New Zealand.

For 25 years, his outstanding contribution to international cricket has been considerable and includes officiating at 57 tests and in the 2007, 2011 and 2015 International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cups. He also umpired at 135 One Day Internationals and 26 Twenty20 Internationals. In 2008, Steve Davis was elevated to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. The panel represents the sport's very finest umpires, and to be chosen to join the panel is an aspiration for every top international umpire.

Steve Davis was widely respected across the very highest level of international competition for his role as a leader in the management of on field player behaviour. The announcement of Steve Davis' retirement from international cricket brought many tributes from the highest level of international cricket. Mr Davis is well respected by the international cricketing community, including international players and his fellow match officials. Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland congratulated Mr Davis for his contribution to the game.

In 2009, he and other international officials survived a horrific terrorist attack on the minibus transporting them to the cricket ground in Lahore on the third day of the second test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Despite this traumatic event, Mr Davis continued officiating at international cricket matches. In grassroots community sports, officials often are found among the many thousands of volunteers across our country engaging in coaching, officiating and administration of grassroots sports and recreation programs. Due to the many pressures and demands of officiating sports matches, it can be difficult to retain officials across many sports.

Without officials whose time and commitment is often voluntary, sport and its many participants and players would suffer. This is why it is important sporting clubs and associations build a positive culture of support for officials. On behalf of the government, I congratulate Steve Davis on his incredible career as an International Cricket Council Elite Umpire. We wish him the very best of success spending well earned time closer to home with his family and friends and his wife, Annie, who has long supported his love of cricket.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (21:04): I would like to thank the Hon. Tung Ngo for his contribution and the government for their support of this motion. Steve Davis was an ornament to the game, and we wish him a long and happy retirement.

Motion carried.