David Boon went down in sporting folklore when he drank 52 cans of beer on a flight to London for the 1989 Ashes sequence – however now his teammate Geoff Lawson has lastly set the document straight over an necessary reality he claims has been incorrectly reported for the final 36 years.
‘Boonie’ has since admitted he regrets his most well-known half-century, saying it was a ‘silly’ factor to do with ‘ramifications’ for his household and kids.
However for generations of followers, the cricket legend’s feat stays an all-time Ashes second that may by no means be repeated.
Now Lawson, who was an eyewitness to Boon’s staggering alcoholic consumption, has lastly uncovered some never-before-reported particulars in regards to the flight – and the large remorse he has carried ever since.
On the time, the Aussie Check staff was extensively anticipated to be thrashed by England, having misplaced the 2 earlier Ashes sequence throughout a rebuilding section.
Boon – who scored 7422 runs in 107 Exams for Australia – was one of many staff’s veterans and high batters, with a popularity for toughness and an immediately recognisable handlebar moustache.
David Boon (pictured with a celebratory beer after the primary Check of the 1989 Ashes) set a staggering document on a flight to London, necking 52 alcoholic drinks
It was universally thought that Boon caught to beer as he set the mark – however now his teammate Geoff Lawson (pictured) has revealed what actually occurred on the notorious journey
Boon (pictured on the Australian Open tennis in January) has his consumption meticulously recorded by Lawson as they flew to London
He’s so well-known for his in-flight consuming that his center identify could as effectively be ’52 beers’ – however in response to Lawson, that will be doing him a disservice, as a result of he was necking every little thing he might get his fingers on.
‘I used to be writing it [Boon’s beverage tally] on the again of a sick bag: the model, the alcohol content material and the quantity,’ Lawson informed the Telegraph.
‘It was a complete lot of various drinks – a lot of beer, a number of spirits, however I recorded each drink’s alcohol content material.
‘One in all my greatest regrets of my profession is that I’ve written this all down on the again of a white sick bag, however I left it on the airplane.
‘It might have been one of many best items of memorabilia in Australian sporting historical past.’
Lawson, who was a teetotaller throughout his profession, added that the 52-drink document ‘wasn’t seen as an enormous deal’ among the many staff, as there was a historical past of Aussie stars participating in outlandish consuming contests on lengthy flights.
Former batter Doug Walters reportedly bought via 44 beers on the flight to London for the 1977 Ashes sequence.
That did not sit effectively with ex-wicketkeeper Rod Marsh, who drank 45 on the way in which to the 1983 World Cup in England, with legend having it that his record-breaking final beer was even introduced by the captain of the airplane.
‘Boony’ (centre) is pictured unloading kegs of beer with teammates Greg Ritchie (left), Jeff Thomson (backside proper) and Craig McDermott (high proper) in 1985
The Tasmanian cult hero (pictured in a promotion for Victoria Bitter beer in 2006) got here to remorse his consuming feat, branding it ‘silly’
Based on Lawson, there was no such fanfare when Boon set the brand new mark.
‘There was no track and dance about it,’ he recalled.
‘It wasn’t seen as an enormous deal.
‘It was only a enjoyable factor of “oh, you broke Rod’s document, let’s win the Ashes now”.’
Lawson additionally states that Boon was capable of stroll off the airplane and not using a downside.
After years of claiming his mid-flight effort had been ‘significantly embellished’ by mates who ‘realized by no means to let the reality get in the way in which of a very good story’, Boon modified his tune in December 2023.
‘I’ve bought to be brutally trustworthy right here, I will not deny it occurred… all of us do silly issues in our lives,’ he stated.
‘You will have enjoyable, you do one thing and you then suppose s**t, what in regards to the ramifications to every little thing else – to your loved ones, to your youngsters.
‘It prompted some crap through the years and it is one thing that I remorse rather a lot … I used to be silly given I used to be within the public eye.’
English rugby legend Mike Tindall – now a member of the Royal household after marrying Princess Anne’s daughter Zara – reportedly tried to interrupt Boon’s document as he flew dwelling from Australia after successful the World Cup in 2003.
Born in Tasmania, Boon made his Check debut in 1984 in opposition to the West Indies and was additionally a gifted batsman at ODI stage, successful a World Cup in 1987.
He performed his ultimate Check in 1996 earlier than turning into a nationwide selector.
