Noteworthy Members

Members of the club who shine off the cricket pitch

RALPH DOUBELL

Ralph is most likely the most famous sportsman to have played CMCA/SECA Cricket winning an Olympic gold medal in the 800 metres at Mexico City in 1968.

Ralph went to Mexico City in 1968 as the Australian 800 metres champion but as a comparatively unknown on the world scene. He won the 800 metres in the world record time of 1 minute and 44.3 seconds (a time that stood for 8 years and would have won the race at five out of the next 10 Olympics, including the Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and the Beijing 2008 Games). He became only the third Australian male to win a track gold medal following Edwin Flack in 1896 and Herb Elliott in 1960.

At the Team of the Century function at his old cricket club, Bentleigh Uniting, nearly 40 years
later, he recalled how, in the semi-final, he psyched out the Kenyan favourite Wilson Kiprugut, by moving level with him with 60 metres to run. He looked across at the Kenyan and indicated that the pace felt like a training run as if to ask: can’t you run any faster? Doubell described this moment as “the start of the psychological battle”. He moved ahead to win the semi-final narrowly.

However, many still thought the Kenyan had too much in reserve and would be too strong in the final, especially in the high altitude of Mexico City. In the final, Kiprugut took off as expected and covered the first 400 metres in 51 seconds. Ralph was unhurried, keeping a steady pace, well back in fourth place. While the Australian team looked on in dismay, Doubell kept to his plan to hold his finishing burst until the last possible moment. As the runners moved into the final lap, Ralph increased his pace and moved into third, and then quickly into second place. Only Kiprugut, the 30-year-old Kenyan soldier, stood between him and gold. The long strides of the Kenyan gave the impression of invincibility. There appeared no chance of his slackening. But with 150 metres to go, Ralph applied the pressure. He was closing in.and really wanted to attack but disciplined himself. “I just kept telling myself to wait, wait, wait…until you’re coming off the straight.” With 150 metres to go, Doubell kicked and raced neck and neck with Kiprugut for nearly 80 metres…” and then I broke contact”. That magic moment when the race was decided, physical and psychological contact was broken… He passed Kiprugut 50 metres from the finish and broke the tape one metre ahead of Kiprugut. “There was an eerie silence in the stadium. The moment was mine. It was the ultimate high.”

An Australian male has not won an Olympic track gold medal since that day.

Ralph's run was acknowledged as one of the finest tactical runs in Olympic Games competition. It is a must watch on You Tube, with Ralph looking no chance of winning the race with a lap to go. Ralph continued to run after the Games, breaking more records and beating the best in the world. He won 13 straight races on the American indoor circuit during 1969 and 1970. Ralph retired in 1972 after fighting a losing battle with injury.
Ralph enjoyed his cricket with Uniting, playing as high as the 1st XI level and tasting premiership success.

Ralph's achievements were as follows:

• 69 Games (9 1st XI)

• 1086 Runs - Average 12.8

• Highest score 89

• Half centuries 23

• Wickets - Average 16.3

• Best Bowling figures 2/7

• 2nd XI Premiership

• U16 XI Premiership