{{short description|Australian sportsman}} {{multiple issues| {{cleanup reorganize|date=May 2019}} {{cleanup rewrite|date=May 2019}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} {{Use Australian English|date=September 2012}} {{Infobox cricketer | name = Simon O'Donnell | image = | fullname = Simon Patrick O'Donnell | nickname = | birth_place = Deniliquin, New South Wales, Australia | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1963|01|26|df=yes}} | country = Australia | international = true | testdebutdate = 13 June | testdebutyear = 1985 | testdebutagainst = England | lasttestdate = 22 November | lasttestyear = 1985 | lasttestagainst = New Zealand | testcap = 329 | odidebutdate = 6 January | odidebutyear = 1985 | odidebutagainst = West Indies | lastodidate = 10 December | lastodiyear = 1991 | lastodiagainst = India | odicap = 83 | club1 = Victoria | year1 = {{nowrap|1983/84–1992/93}} | batting = Right-handed | bowling = Right-arm fast-medium | family = James O'Donnell (son) | = Tom O'Donnell (son) | columns = 4 | column1 = Test | matches1 = 6 | runs1 = 206 | bat avg1 = 29.42 | 100s/50s1 = 0/0 | top score1 = 48 | deliveries1 = 940 | wickets1 = 6 | bowl avg1 = 84.00 | fivefor1 = 0 | tenfor1 = 0 | best bowling1 = 3/37 | catches/stumpings1 = 4/– | column2 = ODI | matches2 = 87 | runs2 = 1,242 | bat avg2 = 25.34 | 100s/50s2 = 0/9 | top score2 = 74* | deliveries2 = 4,350 | wickets2 = 108 | bowl avg2 = 28.72 | fivefor2 = 1 | tenfor2 = 0 | best bowling2 = 5/13 | catches/stumpings2 = 22/– | column3 = FC | matches3 = 83 | runs3 = 4,603 | bat avg3 = 39.34 | 100s/50s3 = 7/31 | top score3 = 130 | deliveries3 = 11,647 | wickets3 = 151 | bowl avg3 = 37.36 | fivefor3 = 2 | tenfor3 = 0 | best bowling3 = 6/54 | catches/stumpings3 = 60/0 | column4 = LA | matches4 = 116 | runs4 = 1,784 | bat avg4 = 25.12 | 100s/50s4 = 0/12 | top score4 = 74* | deliveries4 = 5,827 | wickets4 = 126 | bowl avg4 = 32.47 | fivefor4 = 1 | tenfor4 = 0 | best bowling4 = 5/13 | catches/stumpings4 = 27/0 |medaltemplates=<!--MENTION HOST NATIONS FOR TEAM SPORTS--> {{MedalSport|Men's Cricket}} {{MedalCountry|{{AUS}}}} {{MedalCompetition|ICC Cricket World Cup}} {{Medal|W|1987 India and Pakistan|}} | date = 18 January | year = 2006 | source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/6995.html Cricinfo }} '''Simon Patrick O'Donnell''' (born 26 January 1963) is an Australian former cricketer, VFL footballer, and horse racing and cricket commentator. He is currently a horse breeder and enabler. He is a former record holder for the fastest One Day International half-century. He was educated at Deniliquin High School and Assumption College.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hanlon |first=Peter |date=2011-04-09 |title=Carroll a coach to the end |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/carroll-a-coach-to-the-end-20110409-1d8nm.html |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=The Age |language=en}}</ref> O'Donnell was a part of the Australian team that won their first world title during the 1987 Cricket World Cup.
==Cricket== O'Donnell played as an all-rounder for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield between 1984 and 1993, scoring a century in his first match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Records/Australia/Firstclass/Victoria/Batting_Records/Hundred_On_Debut_For.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref> He went on to play 6 Test matches in 1985, 5 on the Ashes tour of England and one at home, but with a low bowling strike rate in 5 and 4 day cricket, he was more successful in the shorter form of the game.
Seen as a limited-overs specialist with clever medium pace bowling and explosive lower order hitting, he played 87 ODIs between 1985 and 1992, scoring 1242 runs and taking 108 wickets in his career. He played in Australia's 1987 World Cup Final victory and was a significant wicket-taker and finished the World cup as Australia's most economical bowler, but soon after he suffered severe pain that was diagnosed as non-Hodgkin lymphoma.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/health-is-odonnells-best-win/story-e6frfg8o-1111113605056 |title=Health is O'Donnell's best win | Herald Sun |access-date=1 June 2010 |archive-date=14 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614170800/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/health-is-odonnells-best-win/story-e6frfg8o-1111113605056 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
He recovered with treatment to return to the Australian One-Day team in the 1988–89 season and played 43 more limited-overs matches till 10 December 1991 and claimed 56 wickets and made 5 match winning 50 plus scores including the fastest half-century in One Day Internationals (18 balls v Sri Lanka, Sharjah, 1990, which lasted for 6 years until Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya scored 50 from 17 balls v Pakistan at Singapore on 7 April 1996).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284095.html|title=Records – One-Day Internationals – Batting records – Fastest fifties – ESPN Cricinfo|work=Cricinfo|access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref> O'Donnell maintained a very good batting strike rate of 80.96 runs per 100 balls in ODIs, almost double his scoring rate in Tests.
He was captain of Victoria for five seasons from 1988–89 until his retirement in 1993. This was a mixed period, which included a Sheffield Shield victory in 90–91,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/54/54070.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref> but Victoria also finished last in 1988–89,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/Tables/Sheffield_Shield_1988-89.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref> 1989–90<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/Tables/Sheffield_Shield_1989-90.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref> and 1992–93.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Events/Tables/Sheffield_Shield_1992-93.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref>
O'Donnell was voted international cricketer of the year in 1990–91.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129095785 |title=winning without Test or tour. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=12 February 1991 |access-date=11 December 2014 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
==Australian rules football== As a junior, Simon played Australian rules football for Assumption College, Kilmore, where he kicked 100 goals in his senior year. This led to him being recruited for senior football by the St Kilda Football Club, where his father Kevin had played 49 games on a forward flank in the 1940s. Coincidentally, Kevin O'Donnell played alongside two more notable Australian cricketers; Sam Loxton and Keith Miller, members of the 1948 Invincibles.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.saints.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5315/Default.aspx?newsId=8231 |title=The Saints of 1946 - A team to be remembered - Official AFL Website of the St Kilda Football Club |access-date=1 June 2010 |archive-date=17 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717070406/http://www.saints.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5315/Default.aspx?newsId=8231 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
O'Donnell played 24 games and kicked 18 goals between 1982 and 1983 in what was then the VFL. However, he had continued to play cricket and retired from football to focus on his cricket career.
O'Donnell's son James made his AFL debut for Western Bulldogs playing against Carlton on 13 May 2023.
==Media career== thumb|265px|Simon O'Donnell's Test career batting performance. O'Donnell hosted Melbourne radio station Sport 927's morning program with Kevin Bartlett until 2004.<ref>{{cite web |title=SOD off Sport 927 |url=http://radionews.com.au/?p=131 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922173943/http://radionews.com.au/?p=131 |archive-date=22 September 2009 |access-date=2010-06-01}}</ref>
With the Nine Network, O'Donnell has been a commentator of cricket and now presents ''The Cricket Show''. Having owned and managed race horses through his company, O'Donnell Thoroughbreds International,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oti.com.au/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?id=189&nav_cat_id=116&nav_top_id=50&dsb=12785 |title=OTI Management Pty. LTD., OTI Racing and Bloodstock Pty. LTD., OTI Racing, O'Donnell Thoroughbreds International |access-date=2010-06-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706110731/http://www.oti.com.au/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?id=189&nav_cat_id=116&nav_top_id=50&dsb=12785 |archive-date=6 July 2011 }}</ref> he is also used as an expert on horseracing on Nine's racing coverage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/experts/#odonnell|title=Wide World of Sports breaking news and live scores|access-date=6 December 2015}}</ref>
During the mid-1990s as part of his work with Channel 9, O'Donnell was a regular on the daytime program ''The Midday Show'', teaming up with former rugby league footballer Paul "Fatty" Vautin on Fridays to give an overview of the weekends sporting events, usually the AFL and NSWRL competitions, and to give their racing tips. The pair would generally get into silly situations (e.g. coming out onto the set dressed in blowup Sumo suits), or would be on location such as in early 1994 when O'Donnell was taken on some hot laps of the high speed Calder Park Thunderdome oval racetrack in Melbourne with multiple AUSCAR champion Brad Jones.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWGqMQ0V-To|title=Brad Jones takes Simon O'Donnell around the Calder Park Thunderdome|date=19 December 2010|access-date=6 December 2015|via=YouTube}}</ref>
In November 2011, it was announced that O'Donnell would replace James Brayshaw as host of ''The Sunday Footy Show''. However, in November 2012, Nine announced that O'Donnell had left the network.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Timms |first1=Darryl |title=Television presenter Simon O'Donnell out of Nine stable |url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/television-presenter-simon-odonnell-out-of-nine-stable-/news-story/75445c688ccff4d966428ed7f4cc1efa |website=news.com.au |date=21 November 2012 |access-date=2 April 2024}}</ref>
==Cricket career== ===1983–84 Season=== O'Donnell made his first class debut for Victoria against South Australia at the MCG in February 1984.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116392381 |title=WA fights back after bad start. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=27 February 1984 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
===1984–85=== The following summer his bowling gathered attention when he took the wickets of Kepler Wessels and Allan Border in Sheffield Shield game against Queensland, as well as making 54.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136924404 |title=Qld seems a safe bet. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=28 October 1984 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=7 Section: SPORT |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136924759 |title=Qld picks up 16 points. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=30 October 1984 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
He made 78 in a run-heavy game against the touring West Indies<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122532380 |title=MCG pitch soaks up Windies' pace. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=4 December 1984 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTS SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and hit 42 off 43 balls and 129 against Western Australia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122535753 |title=Jones blasts 204 against WA. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=21 December 1984 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTS SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122536173 |title=Victorian bid thwarted by Marsh. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=24 December 1984 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=23 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
He was selected in the Prime Ministers XI to play the West Indies.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122536465 |title=Up-and-comers chosen in PM's XI. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=27 December 1984 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTS SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
In January 1985 O'Donnell was named in the 12 man Australian one day squad.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122476564 |title=O'Donnell named in WSC squad. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=4 January 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
O'Donnell's one day debut was a successful one, taking 1–39 and scoring 20 not out against Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122477275 |title=Border quells Sri Lankan spirit. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=9 January 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=34 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He scored 25 in a defeat against the West Indies.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122478159 |title=Australia devastated. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=14 January 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
In the Prime Ministers XI game he took two wickets but dropped two catches.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122479724 |title=Windies festive but firm. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=23 January 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=42 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Kept on in the one day team he took two wickets against Sri Lanka<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122481977 |title=CRICKET Smith, Phillips belt hapless Sri Lanka. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=4 February 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> then scored some useful runs in a rare Australian victory over the West Indies.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122482506 |title=Skipper Border leads team from the front Australians succeed at last. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=7 February 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=26 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
In the World Championship of Cricket, O'Donnell made 74 and took 2–42 against Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122485844 |title=Hughes' leaving stuns Border Young Pakistani speedster's day. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=25 February 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> This helped earn O'Donnell selection on the short tour to Sharjah in early 1985.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122486144 |title=Hilditch misses Middle East. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=27 February 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=42 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He was also selected on the squad to tour England for the Ashes.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122504539 |title=Australian tour squad. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=21 March 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=28 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
O'Donnell had only played seven first-class matches, hitting 528 runs at an average of 66, with two centuries, and had taken 15 wickets at an average of 38.23. He was still listed in the St Kilda squad.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122505081 |title=Times [?] Sport. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=24 March 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=6 Section: SPORT |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
===1985 Ashes=== O'Donnell leapt into test contention with a score of 100 against the MCC.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127012273 |title=CRICKET Border's third century. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=24 May 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
O'Donnell played in the Australian team for the one day internationals, taking two wickets in the second.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122513186 |title=CRICKET O'Donnell snares neat pair. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=2 June 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=23 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
He was picked in Australian side for the first test, as the fourth bowler. He scored 24 and took 3 wickets in England's second innings. England won the game.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122517228 |title=Australia's bowling comes good, but too late England deserved win. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=20 June 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=26 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
O'Donnell kept his place in the side for the second test. He navigated a second innings run chase and hit the winning runs with a six.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127206104 |title=Australians level series. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=3 July 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=48 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
There was a risk he would be made 12th man for the third test but O'Donnell kept his position.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127207556 |title=CRICKET Gilbert only change in Test side. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=11 July 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=26 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He was made 12th man for the last test.
===1985–86=== O'Donnell injured his hip at the beginning of the 1985–86 season and missed some early games.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132372592 |title=O'Donnell out with sore hip. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=19 October 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=17 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He recovered in time to be selected for the first test against New Zealand.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127534010 |title=O'Donnell gets Test-match fit to hold place. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=1 November 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He took a career best 2–53 and 5–66 against New South Wales.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127534981 |title=O'Donnell readies for the Tests by plundering NSW. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=4 November 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=21 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1980S/1985-86/AUS_LOCAL/SS/NSW_VIC_SS_01-04NOV1985.html|title=New South Wales v Victoria at Newcastle, 1–4 Nov 1985|website=Static.espncricinfo.com|access-date=18 November 2021}}</ref> However fellow all rounder Greg Matthews took 5–22 in the same game and he was preferred to O'Donnell, who was made 12th man.
O'Donnell was kept in the squad and played in the second test against New Zealand. He took part in an important second innings partnership which guided Australia to victory.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127540586 |title=At last – a victory. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=27 November 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=46 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> However he was injured during the test while fielding and was omitted from the third test.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127540981 |title=Lawson recalled for third Test. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=28 November 1985 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=32 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
He was out of cricket for a number of weeks. He returned against Tasmania taking 3–48.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118104142 |title=O'Donnell comes back. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=1 March 1986 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=11 Section: POSITIONS VACANT |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
===1986–87=== O'Donnell began the 1986–87 season well with 52 against Tasmania and 108 against NSW.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130626460 |title=O'Donnell century silences NSW. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=7 November 1986 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=26 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He followed this with 77 against England in a tour game<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130633804 |title=Bright, Hughes recalled. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=9 December 1986 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and 86 against West Australia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130635942 |title=Fifth-wicket stand rescues Victoria. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=19 December 1986 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
He was unable to force his way back into the test team but was selected in Australia's one day squad. Highlights included 4–65 against the West Indies,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119473301 |title=Australia brought to its knees by Windies. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=5 January 1987 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> 52 against the West Indies,<ref>tion {{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119476569 |title=Windies make short work of Australia. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=21 January 1987 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=36 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> 3–39 against England,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119477052 |title=Lamb the saviour. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=23 January 1987 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> a man of the match 4–19 against the West Indies,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119478262 |title=Australia shares WSC table lead. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=29 January 1987 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and a match winning 23 off 15 balls against the West Indies.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118117722 |title=O'Donnell gets Australia home. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=7 February 1987 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=58 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Allan Border said that O'Donnell, Dean Jones and Steve Waugh had been Australia's stand out players of the series.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118118787 |title=Spoils of summer fall to England. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=12 February 1987 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
O'Donnell's good form continued with 86 against Queensland<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118120453 |title=Fairbrother to Sharjah. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=21 February 1987 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=56 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and 73 against South Australia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136292688 |title=Fight ahead for Victoria. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=2 March 1987 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He made 80 and 78 against WA in the Sheffield Shield final, but Victoria did not win the game.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136296733 |title=Times Sport. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=25 March 1987 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=46 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
O'Donnell was selected to play in Australia's one day tour of Sharjah in 1987 and the World Cup.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136297775 |title=Everyone fit for Sharjah. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=30 March 1987 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=17 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122120010 |title=Sleep misses out, off-spinners get the nod. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=5 September 1987 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=12 Section: TIMES JOBS |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
===1987 World Cup and cancer=== O'Donnell had felt lumps on his ribs before he left for India, but he neglected to see the team's doctor, as he did not want to interrupt his team's campaign.<ref name="Australian">{{cite web |last1=Anderson |first1=Jon |title=Simon O'Donnell opens up on cancer, cricket, footy and horses |url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/superracing/simon-odonnell-opens-up-on-cancer-cricket-footy-and-horses/news-story/beb9a16564f10b2f43d8b90e7b584268 |website=news.com.au |access-date=2 April 2024 |date=13 October 2012}}</ref>
O'Donnell's World Cup highlights include 4–39 against Zimbabwe.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122107385 |title=Australia beats heat for a win. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=14 October 1987 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=40 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
O'Donnell went to Warrigal Private Hospital immediately after returning to Australia, where he underwent a biopsy and was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.<ref name="Australian"/> O'Donnell, who claimed that he felt "as strong as a bull" during his ordeal,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122116331 |title=O'Donnell feels 'strong as a bull'. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=19 November 1987 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> commenced chemotherapy and received the good wishes of Prime Minister Bob Hawke.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122417793 |title=TIMES Sport Crowe to experiment. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=23 December 1987 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
Three months later O'Donnell was declared cancer free.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article101985227 |title=Queanbeyan's top order holds out. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=29 March 1988 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=34 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
===1988–89: Victorian Captain=== Simon O'Donnell was appointed Victorian captain at the beginning of the 1988–89 season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102012813 |title=O'Donnell faces new challenge. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=6 October 1988 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
O'Donnell's highlights for the summer included 6–54 against NSW.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110611493 |title=TIMES Sport. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=6 November 1988 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
Victoria came last in the Sheffield Shield that summer.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120912208 |title=Victoria prepares 'sporting gestures'. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=22 February 1989 |access-date=1 January 2016 |page=45 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> However Victoria did make the finals of the one day FAI Cup.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120917605 |title=Qld crushes Victoria in FAI final. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=20 March 1989 |access-date=1 January 2016 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
O'Donnell was selected in the Australian one day team that summer; he was later dropped after the first final.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120904892 |title=Aussies out of steam. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=17 January 1989 |access-date=1 January 2016 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102040110 |title=O'Donnell back in Aussie squad. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=29 December 1988 |access-date=31 December 2015 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> His first game back was a successful one, taking 1–45 and scoring 46 off 54 balls against Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120902165 |title=TIMES Sport. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=3 January 1989 |access-date=1 January 2016 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
Through the 1989 English summer, O'Donnell played club cricket for Haslingden. He played a game for the Rest of the World against Glamorgan and scored 66 off 23 balls.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122281019 |title=O'Donnell hits four sixes Sobers style. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=6 July 1989 |access-date=1 January 2016 |page=19 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
He played in the Australian one day team that toured India in late 1989,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122092646 |title=England's Ashes nightmare will continue in India. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=15 October 1989 |access-date=1 January 2016 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and had a mediocre tournament with the exception of 3–48 against Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite news|title=11th Match, MRF World Series (Nehru Cup) at Margao, Oct 25 1989|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8539/scorecard/65925/Australia-vs-Sri-Lanka-11th-Match-mrf-world-series-(nehru-cup)/|access-date=16 October 2017|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=5 October 1989}}</ref>
===1989/90=== At the beginning of the 1989–90 summer there was some talk that Dean Jones might captain Victoria instead of O'Donnell.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120854298 |title=Vic captaincy on back boiler. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=21 September 1989 |access-date=1 January 2016 |page=19 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> However O'Donnell retained the captaincy.
During that summer, O'Donnell scored centuries against the touring Sri Lanka side and Tasmania.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120864210 |title=Vic batting splurge leaves Tas in lurch. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=3 December 1989 |access-date=1 January 2016 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
He kept his place in the Australian side for the one day tournament at the end of the summer. He won man of the match against Sri Lanka, scoring 57 and taking 4–36.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120868908 |title=TIMES Sport. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=27 December 1989 |access-date=1 January 2016 |page=42 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Other highlights of the summer included 3–36 against Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120869703 |title=Defiant Ranatunga saves Sri Lanka from disaster. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=31 December 1989 |access-date=1 January 2016 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
O'Donnell toured New Zealand with the one day side, taking 5–13 in a game against New Zealand.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120882505 |title=Australia shows New Zealand its one-day best. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=5 March 1990 |access-date=1 January 2016 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He later made 52 in another game.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120884065 |title=Injured Crowe in doubt for Test. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=11 March 1990 |access-date=1 January 2016 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
He also toured with Australia on a trip to Sharjah. In a game against Sri Lanka, O'Donnell scored 74 off 29 balls, making his 50 in 18 balls – the fastest one day 50 at that time.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122244945 |title=Final outcome unpredictable. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=4 May 1990 |access-date=1 January 2016 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
===1990–91: International Cricketer of the Year and Sheffield Shield Champions=== O'Donnell continued to play strongly for the Australian one-day team throughout the 1990–91 summer.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122327054 |title=O'Donnell sets sights on Tests. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=1 December 1990 |access-date=1 January 2016 |page=50 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Highlights included 4–45 against England,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122329508 |title=The Jones boy strikes again. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=10 December 1990 |access-date=1 January 2016 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and 71 against England<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122334539 |title=TIMES Sport England sent spinning as Taylor, Border fire. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=2 January 1991 |access-date=14 January 2016 |page=36 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He became Australia's leading ODI wicket-taker, a title hitherto held by Dennis Lillee,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122337339 |title=Australians make Kiwis regret trip. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=14 January 1991 |access-date=14 January 2016 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and there was talk he might go to the West Indies as a limited over specialist.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122339423 |title=The twins at war: a great story for the public. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=22 January 1991 |access-date=14 January 2016 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He was not selected but did win the International Cricketer of the Year Award despite playing no tests<!-- Not the first – Viv Richards did too -->.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129095785 |title=winning without Test or tour. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=12 February 1991 |access-date=14 January 2016 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He also led Victoria to the Sheffield Shield when they defeated New South Wales in the final.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122351786 |title=Classic rags-to-riches tale for Victorians. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=27 March 1991 |access-date=14 January 2016 |page=44 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
In 1991 he scored 71 off 45 balls in a one-day game for Victoria against Essex.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122386213 |title=CRICKET Waugh hits his third successive century. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=24 September 1991 |access-date=27 January 2016 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
===1991–92=== O'Donnell was selected in Australia's one day side for 1991–92 but had to withdraw due to a dislocated shoulder.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122397450 |title=TIMES Sport Batting must improve, says Richardson. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=14 December 1991 |access-date=27 January 2016 |page=50 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122397735 |title=O'Donnell could still line up today. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=15 December 1991 |access-date=27 January 2016 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He played for Victoria as a batsman only for a few games.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122398774 |title=O'Donnell to be restricted to batting. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=20 December 1991 |access-date=27 January 2016 |page=26 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Despite his injury he was named in Australia's preliminary 20 man squad for the 1992 World Cup.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118163226 |title=SPORT. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=10 January 1992 |access-date=27 January 2016 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He suffered a poor run of form, scoring 124 runs at an average of 12 with the bat, and only bowling gently medium pace.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133929294 |title=Whitney cracks Indian defences. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=6 February 1992 |access-date=27 January 2016 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He was not picked for the final 14 man World Cup squad.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133931529 |title=Regulars asked back to defend the World Cup. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=17 February 1992 |access-date=27 January 2016 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
O'Donnell responded with a quickfire 87 against South Australia for Victoria.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133932449 |title=SA reminded of what it's missing. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=22 February 1992 |access-date=27 January 2016 |page=46 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
Australia struggled during the World Cup, failing to make the semi-finals, and Allan Border later wondered if omitting O'Donnell was a mistake.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122402860 |title=O'Donnell 'our missing link'. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=9 March 1992 |access-date=27 January 2016 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
===1992–93=== O'Donnell was reappointed Victorian captain for the 1992–93 season. He earned selection in the Prime Ministers XI.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126955027 |title=PRIME MINISTER'S XI. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=12 November 1992 |access-date=27 January 2016 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Victoria struggled that summer and O'Donnell's captaincy came under criticism for supposedly being weak.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126975330 |title=O'Donnell admits job in jeopardy. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=11 February 1993 |access-date=27 January 2016 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
Victorian officials said that O'Donnell had their support.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126975556 |title=SA officials deny Siddons will oust O'Donnell. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=12 February 1993 |access-date=27 January 2016 |page=32 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> O'Donnell stated that, after the media alleged that O'Donnell may be kicked off the team, he was contemplating stepping down as captain.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127199656 |title=O'Donnell to rethink future after Vic turmoil. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=5 March 1993 |access-date=27 January 2016 |page=27 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
In July 1993 O'Donnell resigned as captain of Victoria.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127236393 |title=O'Donnell quits. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=2 July 1993 |access-date=27 January 2016 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}} *{{cite book| first=Richie |last=Benaud | year=1991 |publisher=Hamlyn Australia |isbn= 0-947334-31-9 |title=Border & Co: A Tribute To Cricket's World Champions}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} *{{AFL Tables|ref=S/Simon_ODonnell.html}} *{{cricinfo|id=6995}} *[http://howstat.com.au/cricket/Statistics/Players/PlayerOverview_ODI.asp?PlayerID=1288 Simon O'Donnell's ODI Howstat statistics] *[http://content-www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/296109.html Brydon Coverdale, "Australia's Winter Allrounders: XI Test Cricketers who played Australian Rules football at the highest level", Cricinfo, 28 May 2007] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060111061751/http://sports.ninemsn.com.au/cricketshow/ Nine network's Cricket Show] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160111094339/http://www.oti.com.au/html/s01_home/home.asp?dsb=88 Website for OTI Racing, O'Donnell's company]
{{Australia Squad 1987 Cricket World Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Odonnell, Simon}} Category:1963 births Category:Living people Category:Australian cricketers Category:Australia Test cricketers Category:Australia One Day International cricketers Category:Australian cricket commentators Category:Victoria cricketers Category:Cricketers at the 1987 Cricket World Cup Category:Cricketers from New South Wales Category:Australian rules footballers from New South Wales Category:St Kilda Football Club players Category:People from Deniliquin Category:M Parkinson's World XI cricketers Category:People educated at Assumption College, Kilmore Category:20th-century Australian sportsmen