Doug Ring

Who Was Douglas Thomas Ring?

Douglas Thomas Ring, an Australian cricketer who played for Victoria and Australia from 1948 to 1953, left his mark on the cricket world with his leg spin and batting prowess. Imagine a player whose story is woven through the fabric of Australian cricket history—Douglas Thomas Ring was that player.

Early Career: A Test Debut

Ring made his Test debut against India in the 1947-48 season, playing just one match on Australia’s tour of England. Can you imagine how daunting it must have been to step into such a big stage? Yet, he took six for 120 runs in his first game, earning him a spot on the team. Was this just a fluke, or did Ring possess something special?

Struggles and Successes

Over the next three seasons, Ring played regularly for Victoria and appeared in some lesser representative matches. He figured in both the Donald Bradman Testimonial Match and the Alan Kippax-Bert Oldfield Testimonial before going on a non-Test playing tour of New Zealand. These experiences were like stepping stones, each one shaping his journey.

Highlighting Success: The 1951-52 West Indies Tour

The 1951-52 West Indies tour was where Ring truly shone. He took six for 80 runs in the second innings at Brisbane and was instrumental in Australia’s win. Can you picture the tension of that match, with Ring playing a passive role while his partner hit boundaries? It’s like watching a chess game unfold, each move carefully calculated.

Impactful Batting

In subsequent Tests, Ring’s batting made more impact than his bowling. He scored his best Test score of 67 and helped Australia win by chasing a target of 260 to reach 218 for seven with one wicket remaining. Lindsay Hassett departed without runs added, leaving Langley at 222. Bill Johnston joined Ring, who played a passive role while Ring hit boundaries, with an unbeaten 32. Johnston scored the winning run and won the series for Australia.

Later Career: Beyond Cricket

After cricket, Ring worked in industry administration and became a cricket radio commentator and host of Australia’s World of Sport. He was employed by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries from 1946 to 1982, where his supervisor was Les Menzies, brother of Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies.

Media Presence

In 1958, he entered the media as a cricket commentator on Melbourne radio station 3DB. In 1961, he moved to television, where he was a popular presenter of the HSV-7 program World of Sport. Ring had three children with his wife Lesley and died in Melbourne on 23 June 2003 at the age of 84.

Character and Playing Style

Ring was a large man, 6 feet (183 cm) tall, and with his large hands he was able to impart plenty of spin on the ball. He was not usually eager to loft the ball into the air, especially in English conditions. As a batsman, he was good enough to be considered a genuine all-rounder; however, his habit of playing the ball in the air prevented him from scoring more runs.

Conclusion

Douglas Thomas Ring’s journey through cricket is a testament to resilience and adaptability. From his early struggles to his later successes, he left an indelible mark on Australian cricket history. His story reminds us that every player has their unique path, filled with challenges and triumphs.