Rick Darling

Darling is the great-nephew of Joe Darling, and learnt to play cricket at his family's home at Ramco on the Murray River. He started playing for the Salisbury Cricket Club in the Adelaide district competition in 1970–71.

He was picked for South Australia Colts in 1974–75, scoring 67 against Western Australia,{{cite web |title=Western Australia Colts v South Australia Colts, Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth on 5th, 6th, 7th January 1975 |url=https://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/131/131771.html |website=CricketArchive |access-date=27 March 2024}} 105 against Victoria,{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/131/131773.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308055032/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/131/131773.html |url-status=dead }} 48 against the West Indies{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/140/140056.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308225835/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/140/140056.html |url-status=dead }} and 45 against WA.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/132/132925.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309185443/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/132/132925.html |url-status=dead }}

Darling started his first-class career in 1975–76 with South Australia. He made his debut against Queensland, batting at number 6, being run out for 5.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/35/35701.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309191857/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/35/35701.html |url-status=dead }} (Darling would later become notorious for being involved in run outs throughout his career.) He then made 26 and 48 against Victoria, helping South Australia win the game.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/35/35747.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=25 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091125020635/http://www.cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/35/35747.html |url-status=dead }} He scored 2 against the touring West Indians.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/35/35778.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=25 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091125020211/http://www.cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/35/35778.html |url-status=dead }} A second innings of 29 helped guide South Australia to victory against Western Australia.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/35/35834.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309194043/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/35/35834.html |url-status=dead }} He also made 2 and 32 against WA,{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/35/35895.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309195214/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/35/35895.html |url-status=dead }} 1 and 41 against Victoria{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/35/35902.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309204709/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/35/35902.html |url-status=dead }} and 12 against NSW.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/35/35913.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309194846/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/35/35913.html |url-status=dead }} South Australia won the Sheffield Shield that year. Ian Chappell praised the fielding of Darling and David Hookes as a contributing factor to South Australia's triumph ("have added to our mobility").{{cite news|first=Ian|last=Chappell|newspaper=The Age|date=4 March 1976|page=30|title=We're the best - that's for sure}}

Darling's Sheffield Shield scores for the 1976–77 season were 2 and 14,https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/36/36622.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} 0 and 25,{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/36/36641.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308072811/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/36/36641.html |url-status=dead }} 3 and 64.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/36/36655.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308193531/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/36/36655.html |url-status=dead }} He made his initial first class century with 107 against Victoria.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/36/36663.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309203422/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/36/36663.html |url-status=dead }} Then made 1 and 39,{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/36/36763.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309202536/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/36/36763.html |url-status=dead }} 22 and 4https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/36/36822.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and 7.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/36/36854.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309191743/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/36/36854.html |url-status=dead }}

Darling made his one-day debut in the Gillette Cup quarter finals but only scored one.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/36/36684.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=11 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211012328/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/36/36684.html |url-status=dead }}

Darling was given his chance in the Australian Test team through the defection of several players to World Series Cricket in 1977. In October 1977 Ray Robinson listed Darling as a test possibility, saying Darling and Dav Whatmore "both look test material for the future".{{cite news|first=Ray|last=Robinson|title=Much talent remains in Austrlaia|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=23 October 1977|page=74}} However at the beginning of the season he was 12th man for South Australia against the Indian team.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110877481 |title=SA batsmen told to 'buckle down'. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=11 November 1977 |accessdate=31 October 2015 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}} Darling eventually got back into the first eleven and scored runs, playing particularly well against Western Australia, making 45 and 100.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110885271 |title=South Aust confident of first win in Shield. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=31 December 1977 |accessdate=31 October 2015 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/37/37636.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He made 101 against Tasmania in a one-day game, which won him the Man of the Match Award nd saw him come into discussions about possibly opening for Australia, especially as the test team had been unable to find a consistent opening combination throughout the summer.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131709688 |title=TASMANIA UPSETS SOUTH AUSTRALIA. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=16 January 1978 |accessdate=31 October 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTS SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}}{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/37/37778.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=11 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211012646/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/37/37778.html |url-status=dead }} Darling's other scores were 0 and 43 against Victoria{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/37/37663.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309214354/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/37/37663.html |url-status=dead }} and 39 and 15 against WA.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/37/37727.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309193414/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/37/37727.html |url-status=dead }}

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). He later recalled, "I was at the local water ski beach having a ski and first thing I knew was dad came down in the ute in a cloud of dust and was yelling out from the other side of the river 'come over here, get to Adelaide and play in the fifth Test'".{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-05/australia-vs-india-cricket-the-1977-replacements-series/104666608|title=How an unlikely group of Australian cricketers downed India during the World Series cricket war|first=Duncan|last= Huntsdale|work=ABC News |date=5 December 2024}} Also selected to make his test debut was Graeme Wood of Western Australia; it was thought Wood and Darling two could make an ideal opening combination, although Wood was only 21 and Darling just 20. Darling was the youngest member of the tour side.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131711329 |title='Baptism of fire' for Darling, Wood. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=24 January 1978 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTS SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131712212 |title=Callen ser for fifth Test. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=27 January 1978 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=27 |via=National Library of Australia}} 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."{{cite news|first=Ian|last=Chappell|newspaper=The Age|date=26 January 1978|page=23|title=Selectors err on Ogilvie}}

Australia's gamble on Wood and Darling made dividends with the two of them putting on 89 for the first wicket, Australia's best opening partnership of the series. Darling made 65.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131712572 |title=Newcomers lift Australia. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=30 January 1978 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}} Bill O'Reilly said he "functioned with extraordinary confidence" and called it "a magnificent debut which will give Australian cricket a lift."{{cite news|first=Bill|last=O'Reilly|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=29 January 1978|page=60|title=Simpson pulls right reins with openers}} Darling followed his up with 56 in the second innings, helping Australia win the game.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37809.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131712820 |title=Bedi critical of umpiring Australia takes 339-run lead in Test. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=31 January 1978 |accessdate=31 October 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTS SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}}

Darling began the West Indies tour well, scoring 26 and 35 in a tour game against Leeward Islands{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37864.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}} and 8 in the first ODI.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37875.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}} 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."{{cite news|first=John|last=Benaud|title=What's wrong, Darling?|newspaper=The Age|date=25 February 1978|page=34}} Darling then made 105 and 43 against Trinidad and Tobago.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37885.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131718468 |title=Middle-order batsmen give Simpson concern. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=28 February 1978 |accessdate=31 October 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTS SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}} However he missed the first test due to a virus infection (being replaced by Craig Serjeant.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110885906 |title=SPORTS SECTION. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=4 March 1978 |accessdate=31 October 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTS SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}}

Darling recovered and made 62 against Barbados.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37906.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110887507 |title=Simpson's nostalgic century. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=15 March 1978 |accessdate=31 October 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTS SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}} He scored 21 in the second ODI.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37921.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}

Darling was picked for the second test but failed twice, making 4 and 8.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37912.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}} A score of 123 in a tour game against Guyana restored his confidence{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37915.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110889449 |title=Australian batsmen find form. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=27 March 1978 |accessdate=31 October 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTS SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}} but Darling failed twice again in the third test (which Australia won), making 15 and 0.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37916.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110890992 |title=Australia wins third Test. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=6 April 1978 |accessdate=31 October 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTS SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}}

Darling made 12 and 36 against the Windward Islands (doubling as wicketkeeper){{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37919.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}} and failed again in the fourth test, making 10 and 6.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/37/37924.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110892906 |title=Holder swings Test to West Indies. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=18 April 1978 |accessdate=31 October 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTS SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}} 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. Yesterday he was bowled when he moved too far inside the line to glance and left his leg stump exposed."{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110893299 |title=Batting was 'worst of the tour'. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=20 April 1978 |accessdate=31 October 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTS SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}}

Darling had made 43 runs in six test innings. He was dropped from the Australia team for the fifth test, being replaced by David Ogilvie. Bob Simpson said he would have preferred a specialist opener "but we couldn't really persevere with Rick."{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110894477 |title=Foster back in W. Indies Test team. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=28 April 1978 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=25 |via=National Library of Australia}} Australia came close to winning the game before the crowd rioted and the match ended in a draw. Darling did finish the tour with 75 against Bermuda Counties.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131853248 |title=SPORT IN BRIEF Moffat out to May 28. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=15 May 1978 |accessdate=31 October 2015 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/133/133519.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}} However it had been a disappointing tour for Darling, who now found his position in the Australian side in doubt.

Darling began the 1978–79 season poorly failing twice for South Australia against the touring English team, making 17 and 1.https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/38/38611.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110923955 |title=McDiarmid out of Quenbeyan team. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=18 November 1978 |accessdate=31 October 2015 |page=44 |via=National Library of Australia}} Peter McFarline of The Age felt Darling "hooked himself out of the first test side" with this match.{{cite news|first=Peter|last=McFarline|newspaper=The Age|date=7 December 1978|page=32|title=2 Vics axed}}

Darling then made 39 against Tasmania.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/38/38643.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308214224/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/38/38643.html |url-status=dead }} He was omitted for the first test side with Australia using Wood and Gary Cosier as openers. However they failed to put on a strong opening stand and when Darling scored 85 and 82 against NSW{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/38/38665.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308023205/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/38/38665.html |url-status=dead }} he was recalled for the second test, with Cosier dropped down the order.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110925891 |title=HOURN FINDS FORM NSW set for win against S. Australia. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=28 November 1978 |accessdate=31 October 2015 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110927669 |title=Dymock, Darling in, Higgs, Laughlin out. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=7 December 1978 |accessdate=31 October 2015 |page=44 |via=National Library of Australia}} "I will hook as long as I live," said Darling. "I am not going to quit the shot. Why should I when it gets me so many of my runs?" "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.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110929530 |title=WILLIS, OLD HURT England hobbling on Test eve. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=15 December 1978 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}} This did not turn out to be the case with Darling only scoring 25 (run out) and 5.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/38/38729.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}} (Although he was incorrectly ruled run out in the first innings.{{cite news|first=Peter|last=McFarline|title=Hogg, umpire clash as test turns sour|newspaper=The Age|date=18 December 1978|page=28)}})

Darling then made 19 and 41 for South Australia against England.https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/38/38744.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Darling and Wood put on two 50-plus opening stands in the third test, helping Australia to a rare victory. Darling made 33 (run out) in the first innings and 21 in the second.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/38/38770.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136972909 |title=Rash shots give English a hope. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=2 January 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136973275 |title=Australia has 103-run margin. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=4 January 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}} The number of times either Darling or Wood were run out saw them given the nickname "the kamikaze kids". According to Darling, "It was not the way we ran between wickets it was the speed we ran between wickets. For example, if we were running a three, I or him would be coming back for the third when the other person was only finishing the second. It wasn't the calling, it wasn't the misjudgement of a run — well I suppose it was — but it all goes back to the speed of us at the time."

Darling's finest Test innings was 91 against England at Sydney in the 4th Test.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136973849 |title=Australian batsmen labour mightily on the Sabbath day. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=8 January 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}} Bill O'Reilly called the batsman's performance "top class. 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... Since then, he has matured incredibly."{{cite news|first=Bill|last=O'Reilly|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=8 January 1979|page=24|title=Relentless Hendrick is the hero}} Darling helped Australia to a first innings lead but they collapsed in the second innings (Darling made 13; it was Wood's turn to be run out) and lost badly, meaning England retained the Ashes.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136974539 |title=England retains Ashes. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=12 January 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/38/38794.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}} O'Reilly bemoaned Darling's second innings dismissal calling it "a depressing loss of concentration."{{cite news|first=Bill|last=O'Reilly|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=12 January 1979|page= 24|title=We just threw this one away}}

Darling was injured in a fielding mishap playing for South Australia against an invitational eleven. "I just could not hold a bat", he said. "Frankly I don't think I'll be able to play again for at least a week".{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136975741 |title=Rick Darling out Blewett in doubt. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=19 January 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}} This saw him omitted for a one-day match against England (he was replaced by Andrew Hilditch). However he kept his place for the fifth test.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136976480 |title=HILDITCH IN FOR HURT DARLING. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=23 January 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}} 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. The blow caused Darling's chewing gum to become lodged in his throat, and he collapsed on the pitch, not breathing. Umpire Max O'Connell and SACA physiotherapist Michael Mason moved Darling's tongue forward and removed gum. "He was in agony, grasping for breath and almost unconscious when I got to him," said Mason.{{cite news|title=Darling 'ok' to resume innings|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=28 January 1979|page=71}} Darling was taken off the field to send to hospital:{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136977361 |title=FIFTH CRICKET TEST Australian hopes badly shattered. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=28 January 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}}

"All I can remember is, Bob Willis had this big inswinging, in-dipping action", Darling says. "The ball was pitched well outside off stump was the last thing I remember. Once it swung in, it also cut in further. I was caught in no man's land. I was sort of caught out of position, and hit in the chest. Unfortunately, at the time, I was chewing a chewy, and I swallowed my tongue and chewy as well. That caused me to black out."

Darling returned to the crease the following day, but could only make 15 runs. Darling:

I knew the Englishmen would test me out as soon as I walked out. Ian Botham. Bob Willis. I remember facing Ian Botham when I went out there, and he did test me out. Fortunately enough I did hook him for a six, but I must admit it was more of a top edge. Adelaide Oval had quite short square boundaries, and it managed to clear them for a six. Of course he tested me out a few more times.

Darling made 9 in the second innings and Australia fell to a crushing 205-run loss, which allowed England to retain The Ashes.{{Ref|ashes}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136977491 |title=England 87 runs on, wants more. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=29 January 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/38/38856.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}

English captain Mike Brearley attributed his team's success to its ability to get through the Australian batting order. "The biggest problem is to break the opening pair, Rick Darling and Graeme Wood", he said. "At times they have played very well, but we have found that once we can get one of them cheaply we have been able to dismiss numbers three, four and five with the new ball."{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136977836 |title=England has upper hand: Brearley. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=31 January 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=32 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Darling was dropped from the Australian test team for the sixth test in favour of Andrew Hilditch.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136978238 |title=HILDITCH GAPPED |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=3 February 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=44 |via=National Library of Australia}} He kept his place in the one day side but performed poorly.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/38/38815.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/38/38880.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}} Darling made 36 against NSW,https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/38/38899.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} 17 and 22 against Queensland,https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/38/38915.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and 1 and 34 against WA.https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/38/38939.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Australia lost the first test against Pakistan and Darling was recalled for the second test, replacing Graeme Wood. "Darling has been unlucky throughout the series", said Yallop.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110935421 |title=Four dropped from Australia's team. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=17 March 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=41 |via=National Library of Australia}} Darling made 79 for South Australia against Pakistan.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/38/38966.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308202902/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/38/38966.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110935934 |title=S. Australia leads the Pakistanis. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=20 March 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTS SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}} He carried this form into the test match, fielding brilliantly and scoring 75 in the first innings, putting on 96 with Hilditch.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110936834 |title=TEST CRICKET |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=25 March 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=25 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110937006 |title=Australian bats in best opening stand of season. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=26 March 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=12 |via=National Library of Australia}} A similar knock of 79 in the second innings helped Australia win and Darling won the man of the match award.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/38/38973.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}

It was reported that World Series Cricket officials had offered Darling a contract for the upcoming 1979/80 WSC season (which did not eventuate).Australian Cricket, "People...", March 1979, p. 5. Darling had been unemployed for six months but went to work for Hindmarsh Building Society, sponsors of the South Australian side.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110932347 |title=Imran Khan 'threat' to NSW batsmen. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=1 March 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=1 Section: SPORTS SECTION |via=National Library of Australia}}

File:Rick Darling Batting.png

Darling was described as one of the most nervous first-class cricketers, often biting his fingernails before he went out to bat.

Darling was selected to play for Australia in the 1979 World Cup. He made 60 in a warm up game against New Zealand{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110950053 |title=Australians defeat NZ by 153 runs in trial. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=4 June 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=17 |via=National Library of Australia}} but failed to impress in the official games, with scores of 25 (against England{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/39/39253.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}), 13 (against Pakistan{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/39/39274.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}) and 13 (against Canada{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/39/39293.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}).

Darling was selected for Australia's tour of India in 1979.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110568526 |title=Wood back for tour of India. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=19 July 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=30 |via=National Library of Australia}} He fell ill with a stomach ailment early in the tour.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110578305 |title=Two Australian cricketers down with illness but practice 'best yet'. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=28 August 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}} Then later he was hit in the face while fielding, meaning he only batted once in the lead up games, making 34 against North Zone.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/39/39665.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110596687 |title=OVERSEAS SPORT CRICKET Test worry. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=10 September 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}} Eventually Darling was ruled unfit and Wood took his place.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110597179 |title=Australia on top in Test. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=12 September 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=36 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Darling returned to the team for the second test, replacing Dav Whatmore but was dismissed cheaply for 7 in the first innings, and did not bat in the second innings due to illness.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110600270 |title=CRICKET Australia trails India as Test drawn. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=25 September 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/39/39701.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}

82 in a tour game against Central Zone restored his confidence.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/39/39704.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110601398 |title=CRICKET Australians lead Central Zone. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=29 September 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=38 |via=National Library of Australia}} In the third test he was injured again while fielding.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110602373 |title=Hogg bounces back with late wickets. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=3 October 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=36 |via=National Library of Australia}} Darling batted down the order and scored a fighting 59.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110602785 |title=CRICKET Darling defies India, Australia on top. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=5 October 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}} He opened in the second innings and scored only 4.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/39/39711.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}

According to a contemporary report, "In a team of complex characters, Darling is perhaps the most complex. He is a tremendously talented batsman dragged back by acute nervousness. Sometimes he gets so worked up thinking about batting that he has to run off the field and be physically ill in the dressing room. Darling's problem has always been with him. 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."{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110603136 |title=CRICKET Lower-order form of Darling bonus. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=6 October 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=42 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Darling made 27 and 3 against West Zone{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/39/39715.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}} and was dismissed cheaply twice in the fourth test, 19 and 7.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/39/39721.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}} He was dropped down the order for the fifth and sixth tests. In the fifth he made 39 and 7;{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/39/39731.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}} in the 6th it was 16 and 0.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/39/39740.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}

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.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110966412 |title=India takes sixth Test by an innings. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=8 November 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=36 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{Ref|head}} 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.{{Ref|autograph}} (Darling later said this was untrue.)

In late 1979 Ian Chappell wrote that Darling was a front runner to partner with Bruce Laird for Australia although "my personal feeling is that he [Darling] is better down the list."{{cite news|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=14 October 1979|page=95|title=Ian Chappell names XV in line for test}} Indeed, Darling asked if he could bat down the order for South Australia although "I accept I would have a better chance" of playing for Australia "if I was opening. But I enjoy it better down the order. I feel more relaxed."{{cite news|title=Darling risks test spot to bat at number 4|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=16 November 1979|page=28}} He was originally named at number four for South Australia against the West Indies then was promoted to three. He made 88, which saw him discussed as a possible selection for the first test.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110968208 |title=W. Indies none for 27. SA 202. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=17 November 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=42 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/39/39759.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309185000/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/39/39759.html |url-status=dead }} However Darling was overlooked in favour of Rick McCosker.

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".{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110969507 |title=Lloyd to test injured back. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=23 November 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}} However, when picked to play against the West Indies for a Tasmanian Invitational XI he made 1. He asked to bat down the order he was dismissed for 15.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110969941 |title=Injured knee worry for Lloyd. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=26 November 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/39/39776.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}} Darling returned to opening. Against NSW he made 42 and 10{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/39/39789.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309191702/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/39/39789.html |url-status=dead }} then impressed against England with 45 and 75 not out{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/39/39801.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=11 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211011208/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/39/39801.html |url-status=dead }} and 50 against WA.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/39/39855.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309205140/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/39/39855.html |url-status=dead }}

Darling was selected to play for Australia in the one day side in December 1979, replacing Bruce Laird.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110972741 |title=Richards spearheads W. Indies' easy win. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=10 December 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}} He made 20.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/39/39816.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110973010 |title=CRICKET England humbles Australia. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=12 December 1979 |accessdate=8 December 2015 |page=56 |via=National Library of Australia}}

He followed this with 134 against Queensland in a Sheffield Shield game, his fifth first class century.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/39/39957.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309191631/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/39/39957.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137016334 |title=Outright win to Qld with day to spare. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=18 February 1980 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}} He was injured while fielding later in the season.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110579993 |title=CRICKET Qld collapses, SA poised to win. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=3 March 1980 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Darling began the next summer well with 81 against Tasmania.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/40/40689.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309195256/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/40/40689.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article125629627 |title=SHEFFIELD SHIELD CRICKET. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=25 October 1980 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=45 |via=National Library of Australia}} He suffered more injury problems hurting his thigh in a game against Western Australia.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article125645904 |title=Darling doubtful. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=8 January 1981 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}} Highlights of the summer included 61 against India,{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/40/40763.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308074952/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/40/40763.html |url-status=dead }} 65 against Victoria{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/40/40868.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309212157/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/40/40868.html |url-status=dead }} and 50,https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/40/40991.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} plus 51 in a McDonald's Cup semi final.https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/40/40959.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} 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.

Darling had an excellent season in 1981–82. He made 72 against NSWhttps://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/41/41770.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126856525 |title=CRICKET South Australia has something to 'Crowe'about. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=7 November 1981 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=46 |via=National Library of Australia}} and 88 against the West Indies (a game in which he ran out Gordon Greenidge).https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/41/41788.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126858791 |title=South Australia crashes. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=17 November 1981 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}} When Graham Yallop fell injured, Darling was recalled to the Australian one day team; he was felt to be suited to one day cricket due to his fast scoring and excellent fielding. (However Dirk Wellham, not Darling, replaced Yallop in the test team.){{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126859772 |title=Australia trains confidently for Melbourne. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=21 November 1981 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=44 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126860070 |title=Large crowd expected at MCG game. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=22 November 1981 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=27 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Darling made 41 in an ODI against Pakistan, featuring in another run out with Graeme Wood, but being Australia's second top scorer.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/41/41816.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126860371 |title=CRICKET Visitors take revenge for first Test loss. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=23 November 1981 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}} Later innings included 5 against the West Indies,{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/41/41818.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}} 35 against Pakistan (where Darling was run out again){{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/41/41849.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126863642 |title=CRICKET Easy win for Australian in bad-tempered game. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=7 December 1981 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}} and 74 against Pakistan (Australia's top score, Darling run out again, Pakistan won).{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/41/41867.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126866347 |title=CRICKET Pakistan wins in a canter. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=18 December 1981 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Darling followed this 132 and 58 not out for South Australia against Pakistan.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/41/41883.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309202438/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/41/41883.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126868282 |title=Darling and Phillips defy Pakistan attack. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=28 December 1981 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}

However he had a run of low scores in the ODIs – 7 against the West Indies,{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/41/41877.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}} 5 (run out) against Pakistan{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/41/41929.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}} and 20 against the West Indies.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/41/41932.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}} Darling was dropped from the one day team with the return of Kim Hughes to the squad and the recall of Rick McCosker.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126871248 |title=CRICKET Australian one-day fortunes bleak. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=12 January 1982 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Darling made 134 against Victoriahttps://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/41/41950.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126872593 |title=Victoria chases 364. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=18 January 1982 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}} which saw him back in the one day team, replacing an injured 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. "He now has 659 runs in first-class cricket this season and brings the bonus of brilliant cover fielding."{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126872685 |title=CRICKET Win or nothing for Australians. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=19 January 1982 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Darling made a useful 34 against the West Indies, helping Australia to a victory.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/41/41967.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126872836 |title=CRICKET Rain helps Australia into Cups finals. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=20 January 1982 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=30 |via=National Library of Australia}} He made 14 in the next game (in which Wood was run out){{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126873803 |title=CRICKET Big win for W. Indies. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=24 January 1982 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=15 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/41/41981.html|title=The Home of CricketArchive|website=cricketarchive.com|accessdate=8 June 2018}} then was dropped again from the squad in favour of David Hookes.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126874112 |title=CRICKET W.Indies piles on the agony. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=25 January 1982 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126875384 |title=CRICKET Australia launches fightback in Test. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=31 January 1982 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=17 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Other notable innings that year for Darling included 88 and 52 against Tasmania,https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/42/42041.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and 121 against West Australia.https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/42/42073.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He also made a half century in the McDonald's Cup semi final.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/40/40971.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308061813/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/40/40971.html |url-status=dead }} South Australia won the Sheffield Shield at the end of the season. Darling's batting was a crucial part of the state's success.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126906729 |title=CRICKET Shield earned by South Australia. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=2 March 1982 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}} His omission from the 1982 tour of Pakistan surprised several observers.

Darling took some time to get going form-wise at the start of the 1982–83 season. He was beginning to find form with 98 against NSW.https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/42/42956.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} His next match was against Queensland; Darling was 17 when he was hit on the face by a delivery from John Maguire. He suffered bleeding in the eye and lacerations and had to spend several days in hospital.https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/42/42996.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130832606 |title=Darling hit, hospitalised. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=28 November 1982 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=25 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130838370 |title=Darling, Hilditch and Sleep return for SA. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=23 December 1982 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}} He returned to the team two months later.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116450791 |title=South Australia favourite to win. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=18 February 1983 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}} He played one game, making 15 and 4,{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/43/43274.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308073622/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/43/43274.html |url-status=dead }} then declared himself unavailable due to personal commitments.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116452385 |title=Darling ruled out for SA. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=25 February 1983 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}} Darling later recalled:

The one that finished my career was when I got hit in my eye by John Maguire from Queensland...He got one to really rear up, and I got back to hook and it went between the visor and the top part of the helmet and smashed in my eye. That finished me. After that, I didn't want to be there. I thought of other things I wanted to do in life. Even though I continued playing on in Shield for two or three years, I just didn't want to be there.[http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-india-2014-15/content/story/810337.html Sidharth Monga, "Rick Darling: bouncer magnet", Cricinfo 14 December 2014] accessed 15 December 2014

During the 1983–84 summer he returned to the South Australian side, batting down the order.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/44/44119.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309185251/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/44/44119.html |url-status=dead }} He scored 58 against Pakistanhttps://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/44/44138.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116414931 |title=SA in strong position. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=29 October 1983 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=50 |via=National Library of Australia}} but in his next game he clashed with South Australian captain David Hookes who wanted Darling to open in the absence of Wayne Phillips, but Darling wanted to bat down the order. Hookes responded by making Darling come in at number eight.https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/44/44182.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116398233 |title=Victoria and SA fade to drawn match. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=29 November 1983 |accessdate=15 December 2014 |page=24 |via=National Library of Australia}} Darling was then told he would have to open in the next game. He withdrew for the rest of the season as a result.{{cite news|title=Row threatens Darlings career|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date= 28 November 1983|page= 32}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116398653 |title=CRICKET Sarfraz arrives with pledge to scare batsmen. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=1 December 1983 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=32 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Darling returned for the 1984/85 season, claiming the dispute had been settled. He scored 100 in a state trial game but was omitted from the initial state squad.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136920873 |title=CRICKET Big summer ahead. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=10 October 1984 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=40 |via=National Library of Australia}} He managed to force his way back into the side for several games that summer, making 113 runs at 37 with a highest score of 58.{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/45/45421.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309193020/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/45/45421.html |url-status=dead }}

In 1985–86 Darling scored a century against the touring Indians.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118175846 |title=TOUR MATCH India's spinners prove expensive. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=2 December 1985 |accessdate=9 December 2015 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/46/46657.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} It was his best innings of the season, in which Darling made 350 runs at an average of 31. Another highlight was 97 against NSW{{Cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/46/46688.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 September 2017 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309193743/http://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/46/46688.html |url-status=dead }} and 60 against NSW.https://cricketarchive.com/SouthAustralia/Scorecards/46/46702.html{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In 1986 Darling played Lancashire League cricket for Whalley. He scored eight consecutive centuries for them.

Overall, he played 98 first-class games, finishing with a batting average of 35.83. Darling was renowned for being one of the country's best cover fieldsmen of his time.

In 2014 he recalled that he was injured several times:

Probably the ones that hit me in the head later on in my career were a lot more detrimental than the one that hit me in the chest. The fact that it has caused long-term effects – I was probably hit badly in the head three or four times in my career. To the point where it has now caused what they call post-traumatic epilepsy. It's not a full-blown epilepsy attack, but more of a dizzy spell, sort of a blackout type. Only in the last 12 months has this been identified. Medication has fixed it up.

In 2014 Darling was working as a gardener at a retirement home.

• Darling holds the record of eight consecutive scores over 50 in the Ribblesdale League, obtained whilst playing for Whalley Cricket Club.{{Ref|whalley}}

1. {{note|windies}} – {{cite book| author = Alan McGilvray| year = 1978| title = ABC Cricket Book - England Tour of Australia 1978–79| chapter = Alan McGilvray's Australian Selection| publisher = Australian Broadcasting Commission| location = Sydney, Australia| isbn = 0-642-97244-3| page = 21}}
2. {{note|ashes}} – {{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1970S/1978-79/ENG_IN_AUS/ENG_AUS_T5_27JAN-01FEB1979.html|title=The Ashes, 1978–79, 5th Test scorecard|publisher=Cricinfo|accessdate=3 January 2006}}
3. {{note|head}} – {{cite web|author=Partab Ramchand|author-link=Partab Ramchand|date=26 February 2001|url=http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/99684.html|title=India one up at the Wankhede stadium|publisher=Cricinfo|accessdate=2 January 2006}}
4. {{note|autograph}} – {{cite web|date=8 October 2004|url=http://www.ausport.gov.au/fulltext/2004/sportsf/s1215237.asp|title=Shake those Pompoms!|work=The Sports Factor|publisher=ABC Radio National|accessdate=2 January 2006}}
5. {{note|whalley}} – {{cite web|url=http://www.ribblesdalecricketleague.co.uk/Whalley.htm|title=Whalley Cricket Club|accessdate=2 January 2006|archive-date=12 January 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060112104419/http://www.ribblesdalecricketleague.co.uk/Whalley.htm|url-status=dead}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book | year= 1997| title=200 Seasons of Australian Cricket | pages=454–455, 485| publisher=Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Limited | isbn=0-330-36034-5}}
• {{cite book | first= Jack| last= Pollard| year=1982 | title=Australian Cricket – The Game and the Players |pages=310–311| publisher= Hodder and Stoughton (Australia) Pty Limited| isbn=0-340-28796-9}}

• {{cricinfo|id=4900}}

{{Australia Squad 1979 Cricket World Cup}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Darling, Rick}}

Category:1957 births

Category:Australia One Day International cricketers

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