Rick Darling

It has been said that the introduction of the batting helmet saved Darling's life several times, but also gave him extra confidence to play his favoured shots.

Ian Chappell praised the fielding of Darling and David Hookes as a contributing factor to South Australia's triumph ("have added to our mobility").

[22] Darling eventually got back into the first eleven and scored runs, playing particularly well against Western Australia, making 45 and 100.

[28] Darling was selected for the Australian side for the fifth test against India and subsequent tour of the West Indies (both were announced on the same day).

[30][31] Ian Chappell wrote, "I applaud the selection" of Darling, saying "he is as good a hooker as you will find in Shield cricket and uses his feet well to spin bowlers."

Chapell added "I am not convinced about him opening in test matches yet, but if he is brought along gradually on tour he may be the answer to a long-standing Australian problem.

[33] Bill O'Reilly said he "functioned with extraordinary confidence" and called it "a magnificent debut which will give Australian cricket a lift.

[38] John Benaud wrote "the form of Rick Darling on this West Indian tour has been so disappointing the Australian selectors minds must be churning at the thought of yet another opening experiment.

[46] A score of 123 in a tour game against Guyana restored his confidence[47][48] but Darling failed twice again in the third test (which Australia won), making 15 and 0.

[52][53] According to one report "Darling has developed an unfortunate habit of committing himself to the front foot, always looking to work the ball on the leg side.

Darling began the 1978–79 season poorly failing twice for South Australia against the touring English team, making 17 and 1.

However they failed to put on a strong opening stand and when Darling scored 85 and 82 against NSW[62] he was recalled for the second test, with Cosier dropped down the order.

"[60] "I'm happy that we now have two experienced opening batsmen in Wood and Rick Darling, and I am confident that they will be able to give us a sound start," said captain Graham Yallop.

A few weeks ago this young man was performing like an undisiplined yet talented apprentice who had not mastered the basic lessons on self control...

[78] It was this match for which Darling is perhaps most famous, as he was struck on the chest by a delivery that lifted viciously from fast bowler Bob Willis.

Umpire Max O'Connell and SACA physiotherapist Michael Mason moved Darling's tongue forward and removed gum.

[81]Darling made 9 in the second innings and Australia fell to a crushing 205-run loss, which allowed England to retain The Ashes.

[1][82][83] English captain Mike Brearley attributed his team's success to its ability to get through the Australian batting order.

[94][95] A similar knock of 79 in the second innings helped Australia win and Darling won the man of the match award.

[96] It was reported that World Series Cricket officials had offered Darling a contract for the upcoming 1979/80 WSC season (which did not eventuate).

[97] Darling had been unemployed for six months but went to work for Hindmarsh Building Society, sponsors of the South Australian side.

It is the main reason why he has been made into an opener, when his technique and attacking flair make him more suited to a position down the order.

[119] In the final Test, Darling was hit on the head attempting a hook shot from a Kapil Dev bouncer, and was carried off the field and forced to retire hurt with no score to his name.

[120][2] His head split open, Darling was taken to hospital, where, according to Bob Merriman, the doctors refused to stitch him up until he signed an autograph for them.

A month later Darling said "I can see that if I want to get back in the Test side I will have to concentrate on opening because there seems to be plenty of middle-order batsmen".

[143] In January 1980 Darling was hit on the temple from a Jeff Thomson delivery in a Shield game against Queensland and had to be taken to hospital.

)[148][149] Darling made 41 in an ODI against Pakistan, featuring in another run out with Graeme Wood, but being Australia's second top scorer.

[161] Darling was dropped from the one day team with the return of Kim Hughes to the squad and the recall of Rick McCosker.

"Darling is chancy with the bat but the selectors are banking on his coming good in their moment of need", wrote the Canberra Times.

[170] He and Hookes were placed on standby for the Australian team for the Test in Adelaide against West Indies in case Greg Chappell and Kim Hughes were unable to field.