The secret strength of David Boon revealed by Ricky Ponting, Damien Fleming

JUST when you think you know someone, a huge secret is often uncovered that changes everything.

In the case of former Australian cricketer David Boon, this revelation goes against everything the much loved cricketer stands for.

Boon, nicknamed “the keg with legs” is best known for the years spent at the top of the cricketing world, despite a diet and physique that would be best described as counter-productive to life as a professional sportsman.

The Tasmanian legend is most remembered for the stunning beer drinking record set on a flight from Australia to England in 1989.

52 cans were reportedly chugged down by the 107-Test veteran on route to the Ashes series, a mark that would probably claim lives should anyone look to better it today.

But Big Bash commentators Damien Fleming and Ricky Ponting have lifted the lid on Boon’s unheralded athleticism, saying the Tasmanian was the one to watch in the Australian side’s beep-test.

The beep test is an interval based exercise where participants run between two cones placed metres apart in time with a series of beeps. If you do not get to the cone in time, you are eliminated. If you’re successful you progress to the next level.

It’s a challenging test and often used by professional sides to sort the men from the boys. It’s not exactly tailored for Boon’s body type, but it seems that wasn’t an issue as the Ten commentators revealed.

“The most consistent was David Boon. He never did any worse than 10 and never did any better. Just got to 10 every time,” Fleming said.

Boon put his athleticism on show with his famous catch during the Boxing Day Test against England, that gifted Shane Warne the only hat-trick of his cricketing career.

Former Australian quick Fleming also revealed that Boon’s beep test performances were often used as a benchmark, as Fleming once experienced.

“I used to run a lot when I was younger. Got 14-15 once, which was a reasonable effort,” Fleming said.

“As knee tendinitis came in, I did less running. I started dropping down in levels and the fitness guys started to get into me, saying ‘look at Boony’s’.

“Great consistency, never changes.”

Whilst Boon was strong, fellow Tasmanian and former Australian captain Ricky Ponting says he didn’t have much time for the dreaded fitness test.

“I didn’t pay too much attention to it, I must admit,” Ponting said.

“I was more worried about my cover drive and pull shot.”