Scott Hookey - monster
Paul Ryan | February 02, 2023
11 days after his 21st birthday on 21 February 1988 Scott Hookey made his debut for NSW in the McDonalds Cup one day against Queensland at the Gabba.
Hookey a big left hand opening batsman had a presence about him at the crease and on debut he opened the batting with former Australian opener John Dyson. The star studded NSW team also included Steve Waugh, Mark Waugh, Trevor Bayliss, Greg Matthews, Graham Smith, Peter Taylor, Phil Emery, Mike Whitney and Geoff Lawson was the skipper.
The Queensland bowling attack on the day included Dirk Tazelaar, Carl Rackemann, Ian Botham, Michael Polzin and John Maguire. Allan Border, Greg Ritchie and Ian Healy were also playing for Queensland.
It was a big occasion for the debutant and NSW batted first.
After what could be considered a slow start by modern standards NSW advanced to 0 for 70 off 23 overs.
It was then Hookey took over and had the commentators captivated.
Together Hookey and Dyson put on 128 for the first wicket before Hookey was out for 77 off 103 balls. His innings included eights 4s and three 6s.
After the completion of their 50 overs NSW were 7 for 287 and they went on to bowl Queensland out for 134 to win by 153 runs.
Scott Hookey was named man of the match.
Hookey’s incredible and powerful talent unfortunately didn’t lead to a long first class career as he played 9 first class games and 9 domestic one day games.
His highest score in first class cricket was 116 and he averaged 27.2 in scoring 436 runs. In domestic one day cricket his 77 against Queensland was his highest score as scored 227 runs at an average of 25.22.
Unable to secure a batting position with NSW Hookey moved to Tasmania in 1989 and returned to NSW after just one season. He did not return to the first class arena until 1994/95 when he was selected by NSW after dominating the Sydney Grade with a 1,000 run season.
In fact Hookey twice scored 1,000 runs in a season in Sydney Grade Cricket.
After making his debut for Fairfield Liverpool in 1985 at the age of 18, (played lower grade cricket for Petersham at 16) Hookey scored 8,352 first grade runs in 236 innings at an average of 36.95. He hit 16 hundreds and 40 half centuries with a highest score of 200.
In 1977 at Punchbowl Shopping Centre a 10 year-old Scott Hookey with Ian Chappell and Michael Holding
Hookey played Sydney Grade Cricket for Fairfield Liverpool, Western Suburbs and North Sydney. One of the most common discussions around the Sydney Grade/NSW Premier cricket is what would Hook have been like with the modern day bat and T20 cricket.
Let’s take a look at some of the comments about Scott Hookey from his former team mates and opposition players.
Hookey’s former North Sydney skipper Phil Marks said in picking his best grade team
Devastating hard hitting batter with an attitude to match. Loved a scrap with the bowlers and started many, most of which he won. Destroyed bowling attacks all around Sydney including 200 in a one dayer against Fairfield. Loved to target short cover if the opposition thought they could get him caught there.
Michael McMahon played with Hookey at North Sydney and also picked him in his best grade team
Simply the most devastating batsman I played with. The "Hookey Monster" batted the way he lived his life. A giant of a man who took no prisoners. Two particular innings I'll never forget for their sheer brutality 1) He was unbeaten on 147 at lunch against Manly in 1994/95 season and 20 minutes after lunch he was brilliantly caught for 188, he would have made 400 that day! 2) A week later he was dismissed in the 37th over for 200 in a 50 over 1st Grade match against Fairfield at Rosedale Oval. Enough said.
Murray Radcliffe played with Hookey at Western Suburbs and when he asked who played the best innings he’s seen firsthand playing with or against, he responded with
Playing with Scott Hookey was exhilarating. He scored a big hundred against Fairfield in their first season or two on their ground. I have never seen anyone hit the ball so hard and so far. In a time before these monster bats, he was hitting it well over 100 metres over the bowlers head. Through and over the covers he was peerless.
David Kelley played for Fairfield on the day Hookey scored 200. When asked about who played the best innings he saw he nominated this one as number 2.
The other was against us which I’ve seen this one mentioned a few times in these columns was Scott Hookeys double century against us at Rosedale Oval in a one day game. I’m pretty sure he got out with still quite a few overs left. In true Hook fashion there was plenty of chat in his innings as well
In a profile interview with Brett Lack, Lack was asked who’s been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against. He nominated Scott Hookey as number 1.
Scott Hookey, just hit everything out of the screws, went hard all the time.
Ross Trewartha who played many years with St George and Manly was asked who has been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against.
Scott Hookey scored 3-4 hundreds against us over the years. It seemed like every year he’d get runs, including a memorable innings at Manly Oval when he was 147 not out at lunch!
So the question is: What price Scott Hookey at an IPL auction?
