CS Team of the Century | ‘It was certainly a surprise’: Shane Davidson honoured with selection

By Daniel Webb

Oct 20, 2022

Good strike: Shane Davidson in action for Karramomus in 2001.

For Shane Davidson, being selected in the 30-person Cricket Shepparton Team of the Century squad was a surprise; however, when one looks at his career, it is clear why he was named.

The natural leader played a key role in the early years of the Northerners Cricket Club, with spells at Tallygaroopna, Congupna and Karramomus adding to an impressive career.

“It was certainly a surprise,” Davidson said.

“It’s an absolute honour and very humbling, certainly a huge surprise.”

Taking out the prestigious Lightfoot medal in Karramomus’ 2000/2001 premiership season, Davidson would go on to play an important part in the club’s winning years.

The batsman, who would often come in at number three, played for Northerners in the club’s early years and was the inaugural captain; however, it was his spell at Karramomus that stands out most.

Family affair: Shane Davidson played alongside his son, brother and nephew last year. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

“Certainly that first flag, 2000/2001, that was a nice close game against Numurkah,” he said.

“I didn’t have a particularly good game myself but the team managed to get over the line.

“That was my first cricket premiership of any level at club level.

“That was certainly a sensational effort by the boys and then to back it up the following year was good.”

Heading back to Northerners after his spell at Karramomus, Davidson was able to play alongside his brother Glen.

This family affair would hit a whole new level last year, when Davidson returned to the field to play a D-grade T20 alongside his son Zavier, Glen and Glen’s son Jake.

Davidson and his son would go on to score 150 runs between them, with the former A-grade captain putting on an impressive 123.

“All four of us played, that was another highlight, we batted in the top four,” he said.

“There probably wouldn’t be too many people around that have been able to play in the same team as their kid.

“That was certainly exciting as well.”

Alongside his club exploits, Davidson captained Cricket Shepparton to a Country Week win in Bendigo and led the team out in Melbourne.

Currently coaching at Northerners, the former Karramomus chairman of selectors joked that he was glad he did not have to narrow down the 30 person team-of-the-century squad, with plenty of talent across the board.

“I’m certainly honoured and humbled to be in the top 30, that’s for sure,” he said.