simon doull
Simon Doull – Quick Scoop
Simon Doull is a former New Zealand fast- medium bowler who reinvented himself as a prominent cricket commentator and media personality, known for his blunt, no-nonsense opinions on the game.Who is Simon Doull?
- Full name: Simon Blair Doull. [9][1]
- Born: 6 August 1969, Pukekohe, New Zealand. [1][9]
- Height: Around 6 ft 4 in, which helped him generate bounce as a seamer. [9]
- Main roles: Former New Zealand international bowler, now a radio personality and TV commentator. [3][1][9]
Playing Career Snapshot
Doull’s international career was relatively short but featured a few standout peaks, especially in Test cricket.
[7][1][3][9]- International debut:
- ODI – Zimbabwe vs New Zealand at Bulawayo, 31 October 1992. [5][9]
- Test – Zimbabwe vs New Zealand at Bulawayo, 1–5 November 1992. [5][9]
- Matches for New Zealand: 32 Tests and 42 ODIs. [1][3][5][9]
- Wickets: 98 Test wickets and 36 ODI wickets for New Zealand. [7][3][5][9][1]
- Domestic team: Northern Districts in New Zealand domestic cricket. [3][5][9]
- Style: Right‑arm medium/medium‑fast, right‑hand lower‑order bat. [5][9][3]
Career-Defining Performance
- His most famous spell came in the 1998 Boxing Day Test in Wellington against India, where he took 7 for 65. [7][1][3]
- That performance lifted him to a career‑high of No. 6 in the ICC Test bowling rankings on 26 December 1998. [1]
- He played his final Test against Australia in March 2000, before injuries finally pushed him toward retirement. [1]
From Cricketer to Commentator
After retiring, Doull shifted into broadcasting and built a second career in cricket media.- Media roles: New Zealand radio personality and TV commentator on major international and T20 leagues. [3][7][1]
- Key skills he’s known for: leadership, motivation, teamwork, media work, public speaking, coaching and mentoring. [7]
- On his commentary style: He has spoken in interviews about valuing instinct over over‑preparation, and about balancing words and numbers to keep commentary engaging. [2]
Why He’s Often in the News
In recent years, Doull has become something of a “lightning rod” figure in cricket discussions because he’s willing to criticise superstar players and big fanbases.
[10][2]Friction with Fans
- Doull has publicly described receiving abuse and even death threats from fans when he criticises icons such as Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni or Babar Azam. [10][2]
- He says he still sees it as his job to “call it as he sees it” and not shy away from honest analysis. [2]
- He emphasises that arguments should stay on the cricket, not become personal, echoing the idea: attack the argument, not the person. [2]
- He has occasionally shared screenshots of abusive messages on social media to highlight the darker side of fan culture. [10]
Online & Forum Talk
- Cricket forums and Reddit threads often highlight clips of Doull “shutting up trolls” or responding sharply but wittily to online critics. [4][10]
- These posts frequently gain significant upvotes and comments, reflecting how polarising yet popular his straight‑talking persona is. [4][10]
Controversial Comments
Doull has not shied away from broader social topics either, which sometimes sparks backlash.
- During an ODI commentary stint, he reportedly dismissed climate change as “rubbish,” which triggered criticism among fans on Reddit and elsewhere. [8]
- Threads discussing that remark often feature people debating whether ex‑players should air such opinions on air, and what responsibility broadcasters have. [8]
How Fans See Him (Multi‑View)
- Supportive view: Many fans and presenters praise him as one of cricket’s most honest voices, appreciating that he is not intimidated by big names or fan pressure. [2]
- Critical view: Some feel he crosses the line into negativity, or that he should be more careful with comments on sensitive topics like climate change or star players with huge followings. [8][10]
- Middle ground: Others enjoy his analysis but wish he framed certain opinions more carefully, especially during live broadcasts watched by young fans. [8][2]
“He’s blunt and rubs people the wrong way sometimes, but at least he’s not afraid to say what most commentators only hint at.”[4][2]
Mini FAQ – Simon Doull
- Is Simon Doull still active in cricket?
Yes, he remains active as a TV and radio commentator, appearing in international series and franchise T20 leagues. [3][7][1] - What was his best
bowling performance?
7 for 65 vs India at Wellington in the 1998 Boxing Day Test, which pushed him into the top 10 of ICC’s Test bowling rankings. [7][1] - Why is he often trending?
Because of strong on‑air opinions on star players, his openness about online abuse, and occasional controversial remarks that quickly spread through social media and forums. [10][2][8]
Key Career & Profile Facts (HTML Table)
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Simon Blair Doull | [9][1]
| Born | 6 August 1969, Pukekohe, New Zealand | [9][1]
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (approx.) | [9]
| Batting style | Right‑handed, lower order | [5][3][9]
| Bowling style | Right‑arm medium / medium‑fast, swing bowler | [5][3][1][9]
| Main role | Bowler; later commentator and radio personality | [3][7][1][9]
| International teams | New Zealand (Tests & ODIs) | [5][1][3]
| Domestic team | Northern Districts | [3][5][9]
| Test record | 32 matches, 98 wickets; best 7/65 | [7][1][3]
| ODI record | 42 matches, 36 wickets; best 4/25 | [5][7][3]
| Peak ICC ranking | No. 6 in Test bowling rankings after 7/65 vs India (Dec 1998) | [1]
| Notable media traits | Blunt, “no‑filter” commentary; willing to criticise big stars; open about receiving online abuse. | [10][2]
| Controversies | Criticised for comments like calling climate change “rubbish” on air; polarising social media figure. | [8][10]
TL;DR
Simon Doull is a former New Zealand swing bowler turned outspoken commentator, best remembered for his 7/65 vs India and for his fearless, sometimes controversial takes that keep him at the centre of cricket’s online conversation.Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.