Twenty - Weston Creek Cricket Club

Twenty Seasons OnAustralia he turned in his best Shield performance, 6 for 70.In all he took 30 wickets against some very tough oppositionat an average of 28.36.The critics were impressed with this young man. He was thefirst Aboriginal cricketer to play for Queensland since thelegendary Eddie Gilbert. According to cricket writer JackPollard, Ian King was the fastest bowler to play forQueensland since West Indian speed star Wes Hall. Unlikemany fast bowlers he generated speed with an action "assmooth as silk". Pollard writes that Ian "gave glimpses of raretalent, exceptional pace and splendid fielding ability".When Ian developed back problems, his friend Dennis Lilleeput him on to a specialist in Perth for treatment. Ian moved tothe West where he worked at a variety of jobs, learned moreabout the game of cricket through his association with theInveraritys, Lillees, Marshes and others who formed theformidable Western Australian Shield team of the 1970's andenjoyed his share of success. In 1974-75, playing with thePerth Club alongside Lillee and Marsh, he won the first gradecricketer-of-the-year award with 62 wickets at an average of13.8 and included in that haul figures of 7 for 47, 7 for 82, 6for 42, 6 for 53 and 5 for 44.Ian was especially interested in the coaching techniques thatwere proving so successful for Western Australia, techniqueslight years ahead of anything he had seen before. Heemployed every opportunity to apply his knowledge and therewere many who were willing to learn.Ian's natural enthusiasm, determination and ability to lead byexample brought success for the teams in his charge, andearned him a solid reputation with players and administrators.The word got around, so that when the decision was made tosend an Aboriginal cricket team to England to commemorate125