David Boon's Epic 52-Beer Flight Legend Outshines England's Modern Drinking Crisis
The recent Ashes series ended with England's 1-4 loss to Australia. This defeat sparked intense discussions about the drinking culture within the English cricket team. Visuals of players drinking during a break in Noosa and reports of an altercation involving vice-captain Harry Brook in New Zealand fueled this scrutiny. However, these modern controversies pale in comparison to a legendary tale from cricket's past.
The Unforgettable Flight of 1989
David Boon, the Tasmanian cricketer famous for his glorious handlebar moustache, boasts an impressive career record. He scored 7,422 runs in 107 Tests and 5,964 runs in 181 ODIs for Australia. He also won the 1987 World Cup and later served as a national selector. Yet, one statistic overshadows all others: the 52 beers he reportedly consumed on a flight to England for the 1989 Ashes tour.
Whether Boon actually drank that much alcohol remains a matter of debate. Some of his teammates, like Dean Jones and Geoff Lawson, swear they witnessed this incredible feat. They stand by the story, calling it the most unbelievable half-century in Ashes history.
Boon's Own Admission and Regret
Boon himself initially denied the tale. Eventually, he admitted to the drinking spree. In a 2023 interview with the BackChat Sports Show, he offered a candid reflection.
"What I won't deny is that we had a beer. But to be perfectly honest, if it was that many... how the hell would I know?" Boon said. He confirmed he was not drinking alone, mentioning partners joined him throughout the journey.
Boon expressed deep regret over the incident. "I've got to be brutally honest: I won't deny what happened. We all do stupid things in our life. You have fun, you do something, and then you think, 'Shit, what about the ramifications to everything else? To your family, to your children.' And yeah, it caused some crap over the years. It's something that I regret a lot. I can't deny it, but I do regret it. It was stupid to do that when you're in the public eye," he stated, taking a gulp of water for emphasis.
Teammates' Vivid Recollections
Geoff Lawson provided fascinating details about that flight. He claimed Boon consumed various alcoholic drinks, not just beer. Lawson meticulously recorded each drink's brand, alcohol content, and volume on the back of a sick bag. He lamented leaving this unique piece of memorabilia on the plane, calling it a great loss for Australian sporting history.
Despite the massive alcohol intake, Lawson noted Boon walked off the plane without any visible problems. This added to the legend's mystique.
Dean Jones' Memorable Experience
Dean Jones shared his personal experience from that flight. Before his first Ashes tour in 1989, his father advised him to sit next to an experienced player like Boon to learn about English playing conditions. Jones followed this advice, hoping to gain valuable insights.
"I said, 'Dad, the best guy is Boony.' He said, 'Well, sit next to him, have a beer, and drain him for every bit of knowledge you can.' So I did. And two hours outside of Singapore, I found myself finishing my 25th can. I'm as full as a fat lady's sock. I'm absolutely pissed," Jones recalled.
Jones revealed the team implemented a "roster system" during the 22-hour journey, allowing different players to sit with Boon and share drinks. He concluded the tale with a dramatic flourish, describing how the flight captain delayed landing to help Boon break the drinking record.
"The captain got back on the air and said, 'Ladies and gentlemen, I've just got some advice from Heathrow. We've got some traffic problems, so we're just going to have to do a few loops before we land.' When we finally landed, this wealth of applause came up. It was like he'd just done something heroic," Jones said.
A Broader Culture of Legendary Tales
Boon is not the only Australian cricketer with folkloric drinking stories. Doug Walters allegedly consumed 44 beers on a flight to London during the 1977 Ashes. Rod Marsh reportedly downed 45 beers en route to the 1983 World Cup in England. These tales highlight a different era in cricket culture.
Today, England's team faces harsh criticism for much milder incidents. The contrast between Boon's celebrated legend and England's current drinking crisis is stark. It underscores how perceptions and standards have evolved over the decades.
Boon's 52-beer flight remains etched in cricket folklore. It serves as a colorful reminder of the sport's past, even as modern teams navigate stricter scrutiny and higher expectations.
