David Boon: From Cricket Star to ICC Match Referee – Facts & Myth
Few cricketing legends carry a story as sticky as David Boon’s alleged 52-beer flight. But behind the tall tale is a genuine, data-backed career — 107 Tests, 7,422 runs, and a second act as an ICC match referee that ended only recently.
Tests played: 107 · Test runs: 7,422 · Highest Test score: 200 · ODIs played: 181 · Current role: ICC Elite Panel match referee · Born: 29 December 1960
Quick snapshot
- Born 29 Dec 1960 in Launceston, Tasmania (Wikipedia)
- Australian cricketer – right-handed batsman (ESPNcricinfo)
- ICC match referee since 2011 (ICC)
- Legend: 52 beers on Sydney–London flight in 1989 (Wikipedia)
- Boon himself has downplayed the story (Wikipedia)
- Teammates Geoff Lawson and Dean Jones confirmed the feat (Wikipedia)
For a quick reference, here are David Boon’s core details.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Clarence Boon |
| Born | 29 December 1960 (age 63) |
| Birthplace | Launceston, Tasmania |
| Batting style | Right-handed |
| Role | Batsman, ICC match referee |
| Teams | Australia, Tasmania |
| Test centuries | 21 (ESPN) |
| ODI centuries | 5 (ESPNcricinfo) |
| International runs (all formats) | 13,386 (ICC) |
The implication: These figures cement Boon as one of Australia’s most durable cricketers across formats.
What is David Boon doing now?
Current role as ICC match referee
- Boon ended a 14-year career as an ICC match referee with the Bangladesh–Zimbabwe Test in Chattogram as his final assignment (ESPN (established sports news)).
- During his tenure he officiated in 388 international games — 87 Tests, 190 ODIs, and 119 T20Is, including seven women’s T20Is (ICC (cricket governing body)).
- He was part of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees (ICC (cricket governing body)).
Previous roles as commentator and selector
- After retiring from playing in 1999, Boon took an administrative role with the Tasmanian Cricket Association (ICC).
- He joined the Australian national team selection panel in 2000 and served for 11 years, a period during which Australia won two ICC Cricket World Cups and two ICC Champions Trophy events (ICC).
- Boon is set to become a board director at Cricket Australia after leaving the referee role (ESPNcricinfo).
Personal life update
Boon’s Instagram bio describes him as “Husband, Father, Grandfather, Proud Tasmanian. ICC Match Referee Retired.” He remains based in Tasmania with his wife Susan.
The catch: his referee career outlasted his playing days, demonstrating a rare second act in cricket.
Where does David Boon live?
Boon has always maintained strong ties to his home state. According to the ICC, he signed off from first-class cricket in 1999 and immediately took an administrative role with the Tasmanian Cricket Association (ICC).
Residence in Tasmania
- He lives in Tasmania, as confirmed by his Instagram profile.
- His birthplace is Launceston, and he is a proud Tasmanian.
The pattern: Boon’s career path — from Tasmanian debutant to selector to referee — never strayed far from the island state that shaped him.
Who is David Boon’s son?
David Boon’s children
- Boon has a son named James Boon and a daughter named Sarah (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
- His wife is Susan Boon (Wikipedia).
Family life
Boon’s son James has largely stayed out of the public eye, while his daughter Sarah is occasionally mentioned in interviews. The family maintains a low profile in Tasmania.
What this means: Unlike many modern cricketers, Boon has kept his private life firmly off the field, with only his Instagram bio offering a rare glimpse.
How many beers did David Boon have on a flight?
The legend of the 52 beers
- The widely repeated story claims Boon consumed 52 cans of beer on a flight from Sydney to London in 1989 (Wikipedia).
- Teammates Geoff Lawson and Dean Jones confirmed the feat, but the story has never been confirmed by Boon himself (Wikipedia).
Comparing to Wade Boggs
The anecdote is often compared to American baseball player Wade Boggs, who allegedly drank 107 beers on a cross-country flight. Boon’s version, however, remains firmly in cricket folklore.
Boon’s own account
In interviews, Boon has downplayed the story, stating he did not drink that much and that the tale is exaggerated (ESPNcricinfo).
The beer myth has overshadowed a solid statistical career. For every fan who remembers “52 beers,” fewer recall his 200 not out against New Zealand in 1990.
The consequence: the legend endures, but the numbers tell a different story.
What was David Boon’s cricket career?
Test match career
- Test debut in December 1984 against West Indies (ESPNcricinfo (detailed cricket database)).
- Played 107 Tests, scoring 7,422 runs at an average of 43.65 (ESPN).
- Highest Test score: 200 against New Zealand in 1990 (ESPNcricinfo).
- 21 Test centuries (ICC).
ODI career
- 181 ODIs, 5,964 runs at an average of 37.04 (ESPN).
- Highest ODI score: 122 (ESPNcricinfo).
- Member of the 1987 World Cup-winning team (ICC).
Highest scores and records
Boon’s 200 against New Zealand remains one of the finest innings by an Australian opener. He also scored 13,386 international runs across all formats (ICC).
Role in Australian cricket
Beyond the runs, Boon was a key figure in the 1980s and 1990s Australian batting line-up, known for his grit against fast bowling.
Boon’s playing stats place him among Australia’s top ten run-scorers in Tests. His later career as a match referee adds another dimension: few cricketers have contributed to the game on and off the field for four decades.
The takeaway: his on-field legacy is as solid as his post-career service.
David Boon timeline
- 29 December 1960 – Born in Launceston, Tasmania (Wikipedia)
- 1978/79 season – First-class debut for Tasmania (ICC)
- December 1984 – Test debut against West Indies (ESPNcricinfo)
- 1987 – Won Cricket World Cup with Australia (ICC)
- 1990 – Scored 200 against New Zealand (ESPNcricinfo)
- 1999 – Retired from international cricket (ICC)
- 2000 – Joined Australian selection panel (ICC)
- 2011 – Became ICC match referee (ICC)
- 2025 – Retired as ICC Elite Panel match referee after 388 international games (ESPN)
The implication: Boon’s timeline shows a career in continuous service to cricket — from player to selector to referee — spanning nearly five decades.
Confirmed Facts vs Unclear Claims
Confirmed facts
- David Boon played 107 Tests and 181 ODIs (ESPN)
- He is an ICC Elite Panel match referee (retired 2025) (ICC)
- He lives in Tasmania (ICC)
What’s unclear
- Exact number of beers consumed on the flight — often reported as 52, but Boon disputes it (Wikipedia)
- David Boon’s net worth — estimates vary with no official confirmation
- Details about his marriage and children rely on Wikipedia, a community-sourced encyclopedia
The balance: the solid career numbers are beyond dispute; the personal and mythical details carry more uncertainty.
In his own words
Husband, Father, Grandfather, Proud Tasmanian. ICC Match Referee Retired.
— David Boon, Instagram bio
Boon has publicly downplayed the beer legend, preferring to be remembered for his actual cricket achievements. (ESPNcricinfo)
The consequence: For Australian cricket fans, the legacy of David Boon is clear: a gritty batsman who never took a backward step, a dedicated referee who shaped the game’s integrity, and a man whose legend is larger than the beer myth. For the ICC, losing Boon’s experience means a gap in the Elite Panel. For the public, the beer myth remains a cautionary tale about how a single story can overshadow a career built on 13,386 international runs.
For those interested in how match officials shape the game, David Boon’s transition to ICC match referee mirrors the level of scrutiny seen in high-stakes fixtures like the international cricket officiating between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Frequently asked questions
What is David Boon’s nickname?
He is often called “Boonie” by teammates.
Is David Boon in the Cricket Hall of Fame?
Not yet inducted, but he is widely regarded as a Tasmanian cricket legend.
What teams did David Boon play for in domestic cricket?
He played for Tasmania in Australian domestic cricket.
How tall is David Boon?
His listed height is 178 cm (5 ft 10 in).
What is David Boon’s net worth?
No official figure; estimates vary and are unconfirmed.
Did David Boon play in the Indian Premier League?
No, he had retired before the IPL began in 2008.
What is the origin of the 52-beer flight story?
The story originated from a 1989 flight where teammates claimed Boon drank 52 cans of beer; the truth remains uncertain.
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