Tony Dell


Anthony Ross "Tony" Dell is a former Australian cricketer who played in two Tests, one in 1970-71 and the other in 1973-74.

Cricket career

Dell was a fast-medium seam bowler who made his debut against England for the vital Seventh Test at Sydney in the 1970-71 Ashes series. With Australia needing to win he opened the bowling with Dennis Lillee and took 2-32 in the first innings - John Edrich caught by Greg Chappell for 30 and Basil d'Oliveira bowled for 1 - as England collapsed to 98-5 and 184 all out. In the second innings he was the best bowler with 3-65, but England made 302 and 223 was too much for Australia to make for victory. Dell batted last and made 3 not out in each innings and so was present at the crease when The Ashes were lost. His five wickets put him ahead of Dennis Lillee at the top of the series averages, if you exclude Ian Chappell's one wicket for 10.00. His only other test was the at Melbourne in 1973-74 where he did not bat, but took 1-54 and 0-9 in Australia's innings victory.

Life

Dell was born in England and came to Australia at the age of 14 when his father was transferred to Queensland. Educated at the Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane, Dell served in the Vietnam War as a National Serviceman in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment from 19 May 1967 until 26 March 1968. He took part in several battles around the Australian base at Nui Dat.
He worked in an advertising agency in Brisbane until the 1990s, when the company collapsed.
As a result of his military service, Dell suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder, undiagnosed till 2008. He founded the PTSD support group Stand Tall for PTS. Stand Tall For PTS was the official charity partner of the Prime Minister's XI match at Manuka Oval on 14 January 2015 versus the English cricket team.