Tony Dodemaide OAM - 2012 VU Sport Hall of Fame inductee

Male cricketer bowling in front of crowd.
An Australian Test cricketer who went on to shape the sport through influential leadership roles in cricket administration.

2012 VU Sport Hall of Fame (cricket)
Bachelor of Applied Science, 1985

Tony Dodemaide OAM is a distinguished figure in Australian cricket, recognised for his achievements as an international fast-bowling all-rounder and for his influential leadership roles in cricket administration. A proud Victoria University graduate, his career spans elite performance, strategic leadership and long-term service to the sport.

Born in 1963, Tony progressed through the Victorian cricket system before making his Test debut for Australia in 1987. He made an immediate impact, taking six wickets in the second innings against New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His One Day International debut was equally impressive, claiming five wickets against Sri Lanka. Between 1987 and 1993, Tony represented Australia in 10 Test matches and 24 ODIs, finishing his international career with 34 Test wickets and 36 ODI wickets.

At domestic level, Tony was a consistent and respected performer. Across 184 first-class matches for Victoria, Sussex and the Marylebone Cricket Club, he claimed 534 wickets and contributed valuable lower-order runs. He was a key member of Victoria’s 1990–91 Sheffield Shield-winning team and was named Sheffield Shield Player of the Year in 1991–92. In Premier Cricket he played 152 matches for the Footscray Cricket Club, scoring 3,986 runs and taking 279 wickets.

Following his playing career, Tony moved into cricket administration. He served as Manager of Corporate Marketing at the Melbourne Cricket Club before relocating to London to become Head of Cricket at the Marylebone Cricket Club. In 2004 he returned to Australia as Chief Executive of the Western Australian Cricket Association and, in 2007, was appointed Chief Executive of Cricket Victoria, where he guided the organisation through a period of significant growth.

In 2021 Tony joined the Cricket Australia National Selection Panel, contributing his extensive experience to the development of Australia’s elite teams. His service to cricket was recognised in the 2022 Australia Day Honours when he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia.

His induction into the Victoria University Sport Hall of Fame recognises both his achievements as a player and his ongoing leadership within Australian cricket.