Testimonials
Some Kind Words
It was great to see that OHD had been awarded with a benefit year at the end of the season. It is extremely well deserved for some outstanding performances over his career so far with the Bears. I was capped with OHD at the bears and have always said he’s one of the best team mates ive had the pleasure of sharing a dressing room with. Not only a top player but more importantly a top man off the pitch and someone I miss playing with.
Sibs
Dom Sibley
ENOUGH OF THIS CIRCUS!
What an honour it is to be able to pen a few notes to a great friend and fantastic human being that is Mr Oliver Hannon-Dalby. So good they surnamed him twice.
I’ve had the absolute pleasure to have known OHD for 10 years. And in that decade I’ve shared a cricket field, dressing room, hotel room, karaoke bar and golf course with him.
He is a perfect example to any young aspiring bowler (and handy left hand batter) on how to conduct yourself in the professional arena. In his early days, Olly was often having to wait patiently for opportunities in red ball cricket with our attack boasting the likes of Woakes, Barker, Wright, Clarke, Rankin et al. I’d often find myself making my way towards him before the toss to give him the bad news of his non-selection only to find he’d spotted my approach and decided to leg it away from me, making my difficult job even harder.
He would, however, simply accept the situation and then work tirelessly on his craft, leading the second team attack and taking poles at a miserly economy rate.
As the red ball team transitioned, and I had moved from captaincy to Head Coach, Olly had evolved into the most dependable performer in Championship cricket in the Bears seam attack. 2019 was a disastrous campaign in terms of injuries to seam bowlers and Olly was literally the last man standing on his way to 50 championship wickets and rightfully earning his First Team Cap. Presenting him with the White Bear was one of my proudest moments as Warwickshire’s Head Coach.
Since my departure from the Bears it’s been brilliant to see his consistency go from strength to strength. He is now a regular 50 wickets a season cricketer and a prime example of what being a Bear is about.
What people who don’t know Olly won’t know - he’s an even better bloke than he is a cricketer - and that is saying something. You won’t find a more humble or funny human being and I’m sure once he does decide to hang those spikes up he has all the attributes of being a tremendous coach.
Ol. Huge congratulations on receiving your benefit for 2024. Absolutely deserved and I hope it’s an incredible success.
Please support him this year. He’s a true bear and a greeeet bloke.
Love to Kirsty and Toby-lad
Love, Jim, Nay, Eva and Rosie Troughton.
Jim Troughton
‘Never judge a book by its cover’ is obviously a very wise saying and one that I think could apply to our Oliver. It certainly takes me back to the first time I started to work with OHD and has been a good reminder that people aren’t always who or what they first present. An indoor school in February and a winter physical training program can often not be the best place to judge a cricketer. The medium pacer comes on to the bat nicely, lack of batting skills can be exaggerated, and a shortfall of natural fast twitch muscles, prominent in fielding or sprints, isn’t obviously endearing and all which could be accounted to Ollie. The winter though doesn’t belong to the warriors. They excel in the summer, in the arena, those who fiercely drag every bit of talent out of themselves, whose will to win and desire is always on show. They don’t accept limitations on themselves but just strive to find a way.
In my three years Ollie has got better and better. I have always found when you get a senior player with a young heart, they are the most exciting players to work with. They have years of experience but an openness to listen and want to keep evolving which often means they have a second coming. Ollie can still be a bit stubborn and at times a bit safe or protective, but like a good wine maturing less so with each passing year.
On the pitch he is a winner, a captain’s dream, always reliable, always up to bowl at any end at any time. Limited with the bat but as brave and determined to fight his corner as anyone I have ever worked with.
Off the pitch he has become more and more influential and important. At times he’s the teams conscience, protecting the standards and what’s just the right thing for a Bear to do. Always available to meet supporters or go out in the community to serve bigger causes than just trying to win cricket matches. Ollie’s humor and ability to either unite or defuse a tense dressing room is so important in professional sport.
Ollie, you have so many has many qualities that are not instantly apparent, especially in the false environment that is an indoor school and we are very grateful you are a part of us.
Many congratulations on being awarded a benefit, the concept was made for players like you, players who have served the game selflessly with distinction over many years.
Good luck and thank you for all you have done for the team.
Robbo
Mark Robinson
As Bowling Coach for Yorkshire C.C.C. for many years, I was regularly asked “how do we turn out so many bowlers”? The answer was fairly simple “pace or pace and bounce or have a nice mother”. Oliver fitted the bill.
My first recollection of watching the beneficiary was when he was involved with Yorkshire Schools under 15(B) team. At the time (around 2004/5) and after years of developing a successful youth section, the club had discovered a rich vein of bowlers. To be selected for any youth team was no mean fete. Unknown to Oliver I had watched him bowl in league cricket and it was quickly decided that he would be promoted to the “A” team. I remember that he made his debut somewhere in the far North versus Durham or Nothumbrland and did very well. Promotion to the prestigious Academy followed and then quickly to second team cricket. A bright career that looked on the right track to all.
In retirement and a few years later, out of the blue I met Oliver (who was distraught) he told me of his recent release from Yorkshire. It was November and the start of pre-season, many bowlers have developed through winter practice and Yorkshire must have regretted this rash decision on many occasions since. I had received a couple of phone calls and tried to convince him that he would be ok and have plenty of offers from other counties. The rest is history as they say and Tyke’s loss was The Bears gain. Sad I know but I keep track on the bowlers that I coached and look at the scores to see who’s doing well. I reminded him regularly that he had not beaten my career best but his recent 7 for 46, keeps me quiet!
Having two daughters, the highest praise given is that I would have been happy to have had Oliver as a son-in-law. Forget cricket, more importantly he is a good natured, respectful and well-mannered young man, a role model.
Congratulations on your very successful career at Warwickshire. A richly deserved benefit for a model professional and super lad, have a bumper year.
Cheers.
S.O.
Steve Oldham
I was absolutely buzzing when OHD shared the news about being awarded a benefit year by the club. It's a brilliantly well-deserved recognition of his years of dedicated service at Edgbaston. On the field, Ollie's consistently dependable performances have significantly contributed to the club's triumphs in all three competitions, and more recently, it's been fantastic to witness his achievement of back-to-back seasons with fifty first-class wickets.
However, it's Ollie's off-field contributions that truly highlight why this honour is rightfully bestowed upon him. OHD is not just a phenomenal player but a brilliant team man, always seeking ways to give back to the team and look after his mates. His dedication to coaching academy, EPP, and age group players during his free time speaks volumes. If the next generation inherits even a fraction of his work ethic, skill, and attitude, the club's future is undoubtedly in good hands.
I know winning the Rick Coleman Community Award this year would have meant a lot to him, recognizing his contributions across various Bears community initiatives. This truly sums up his selflessness in always looking for ways to help.
Thanks for being a constant support over the last 10 years, not just for me but for all Bears, past and present. Looking forward to having some fun and raising money for great causes throughout your benefit year. Congrats, Dizzle! Maybe your name is finally on the Jug this year!
Josh Poysden
I first came across Oliver early season in 2010 when Warwickshire CCC played Yorkshire CCC in the County Championship at Edgbaston.
I believe it was his debut and my first thoughts were this lad should be able to bowl. He was 6ft 7, young lad that was all arms legs, with a really long body and neck, but when he let go of the ball something happened.
He proceeded to pick up his maiden five wicket haul and bowled really well.
Moving on to pre season the next year where a lot of counties used Barbados for the preparation for the up coming season. Warwickshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire were all based on the West Coast at the beautiful Discovery Bay hotel.
As you can imagine there was a lot of rum and testosterone kicking about in the hotel over the few weeks and on a few occasions challenges were offered and occasionally words exchanged by players in opposition teams all light heartened but with a bit of truth as the players would be battling against each other in the up coming months.
There was one bloke that every time I saw him would stop say hello, ask how I was doing, how my day was going and generally have a chat. Just being a good lad. None other than Oliver Hannon-Dalby.
So I was really surprised when I heard in the winter of 2012 that he had been release by Yorkshire. He could obviously bowl, was at a good age and came across as a good lad.
I spoke to Dougie Brown and said I think he would be a great addition to the squad.
So we invited him down to a bowling squad session in December to see how he would get on with the lads and basically get to know him a bit better. He fit in really well and the lads seemed to like him. At end of the session we usually have a competition amongst the group
This week was the fatigue session* and the forfeit was ,as it was in the middle of December there was snow on the ground and the loser had to stand against the wall and get pelted with snow balls.
*The fatigue session is bowling an over but after delivering the ball the bowler has to sprint back to his mark and go again. There is obviously deterioration in rhythm pace accuracy when fatigue and lactic acid kicks. As this was Ollie’s first session and keen to impress he started at 100 miles an hour, he took off to bound to deliver his 4th ball and his poor long skinny legs gave way and he ended up in a heap. The next few balls he looked like a new born giraffe trying to walk for the first time with his legs continually giving away. To his credit he finished the task but unfortunately had to take the snow ball pelting as well! How he conducted himself during that session showed me and the bowling group that he was everything and more of what we were looking for.
The rest is history….
OHD has been the one constant over the last 10 years at The Bears. He has been involved in winning both red and white ball competitions and played major part in their success over the last decade. It’s not just his performances on the field that make him a stand out, he is always available to members and the junior Bears and the tireless work within the community has made him a people’s favourite.
Testimonials and benefits were designed to let the members and public help celebrate and thank players for the loyalty and service. Due to the way of the world they are becoming extinct as players are moving around a lot more than they used to due to money and franchise etc. This makes Olivers effort even more impressive and that’s why I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised to how much support you will receive over the next year.
I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best for your benefit/testimonial year. I’m sure the Birmingham public will show great support and it will be a massive success for one of the good guys!
All the best
Love
Pop
Graeme Welch
OHD signed for Kirkburton CC for the summer of 2005. He was only a young lad looking to progress within the game but you could see he had all the attributes to become a top bowler. As his career has shown we weren’t wrong! His bowling just had that zip that only a few players coming through have got, I’m just glad he sorted out his run up because despite having huge feet he could never seem to get his foot behind the line!!
He was enthusiastic and a typical bowler who 1. Wanted to bowl all day and 2. Told everyone he could bat! Number 11 certainly suited him back then and it’s great to see that solid defence has never left him!
Both on and off the field Ol was a popular character and we at Kirkburton are proud to say we played a part in his progression – his Warwickshire shirt hangs proudly in the clubhouse!
All the best for your benefit year Olly, you’ve earned it.
Kirkburton CC
Players who consistently display ‘team first’ behaviours are a hugely important part of any team.
Add then a willingness to always support wider club and community initiatives and you have a gold nugget.
I was told a lot about Olly before I arrived in my new role at Warwickshire. What a pleasure it was to then witness both a season of top-drawer performances from Olly on the park, and his selfless desire to help others in the club and around the wider Warwickshire community.
A true gold nugget, and the consummate Bear.
It’s been an absolute pleasure getting to know Olly, and I wish him all the very best for a successful testimonial season. It’s a fully merited recognition for one of cricket’s great guys.
Gavin Larson
It gives me great pleasure to be asked to contribute to Oliver’s testimonial. He really is a player and person who the awarding of a testimonial is made for. A man who is incredibly loyal, passionate, humorous, great company, the social hub and a carer of his team mates and anything Bears related! You add onto this a highly skilful cricketer who takes great pride in his work and you have someone who couldn’t be more worthy of this recognition.
I consider myself lucky to have worked with Ollie and now to call him a friend. I soon learnt that despite hailing from Yorkshire there was rarely a smile far away. Here was someone who loved playing cricket, being part of a team and relished playing for his new county. He always contributed, whether it helping his team as 12th man or doing the hard yards with the ball. I watched him work hard to break into the team and show huge amounts of skill and heart to make an impact whenever he wore his Bears cap.
I have such fond memories of working with Ollie for the four years I was at the Bears. He never shirked responsibility and was always keen to do whatever the team needed from him. There was no better example of this during the victorious 2014 t20 finals day when he bowled the last four overs from one end in both the semi-final and final. This wasn’t a pre planned tactic, Ollie had never done it before but just got on with it, did it and did it bloody well (apologies for the language). There you have it, high skill and a team player in abundance.
I also mentioned great company and the social hub didn’t I? The image of Ollie leading the singing whilst stood on a table in the Lords Tavern after beating Surrey at Lords in the one day final in 2016 will long live in the memory. As will him attempting to avoid the security guard trying to get him down of said table. Lastly, I will always be in his debt for letting me use him as my batting subject for my coaching badges, if nothing else it confirms Ollie has a sense of humour!
Ollie, I wish you and Kirst an amazing 2024, you thoroughly deserve every success that comes your way. Can’t wait to go for a walk with Toby soon.
Love Richo, Fi, Harry and Liv
Alan Richardson
As a club we have a long and distinguished history of County and International alumni. Some have achieved great things on and off the field. OHD has left a long-lasting legacy of professionalism and enjoyment of playing the game that is seen week in and week out on the first class circuit.
He arrived in 2009 as a tall gangly 16-year-old and has developed into what we see today, a talented bowler with a first-class pedigree and approach to life. OHD continues to support all the clubs that have had the pleasure of him playing for them and regularly contributes at our end of season awards.
A better person in life you would struggle to meet let alone in cricket. We at Barnsley will be firmly behind OHD in this testimonial coming year!
Barnsley CC
In my opinion there is no better player to have been awarded a benefit year from Warwickshire than our Ollie.
Ollie has always put the club first wether that be on or off the pitch. His contribution to the club is unprecedented, and to be one of the more valuable team members with in the group speaks volumes of the person and player he has become.
When Ollie first joined the mighty Bears, he had an immediate impact on the group. His desire to learn, grow, but most importantly put himself in match defining situations has made him the most reliable member of the club.
I would like to wish Ollie all the very best in what will be a busy year, I hope he receives all the support that he deserves.
Go well Ol, Bears for life!
Jeetan Patel
Many congratulations on your testimonial, Olly – from all your friends at Copley Cricket Club. This is a tremendous achievement and richly deserved. After all your hard work and resilience over many years it is great to see your career with Warwickshire going from strength to strength, and your 100 wickets over the last two years is a well-earned reward for all the effort you have put in.
Everyone at Copley is extremely proud of you and we wish you a very successful testimonial year. We have all followed your career closely and your significant contribution to Warwickshire’s triumph in the 2014 T2O Final at Edgbaston had us on the edge of our seats and will be long remembered.
You have never forgotten your roots and your family will always be welcome at Copley. You come back to see us whenever you can, and we thank you for your considerable support throughout your professional career. You started at Copley as a small boy, playing cricket with the other kids whenever you could. Many years later you were part of a Yorkshire Team that played at Copley in a fund-raiser game for us and you spent time helping with some junior coaching before the start of the game. It meant so much for the youngsters to see what a junior at Copley had been able to achieve. You progressed through the junior teams and started playing in the senior teams as a teenager. We have a team picture from 2003 that includes you as a 14-year-old celebrating a title win. Your growth spurt came after this – but a great haircut!
We remember you taking your first Championship wicket – and what a good one (Mark Ramprakash). This was at the start of your career, and that year you kindly came back to present some prizes at our end of season dinner. You have done this several times now and you have consistently supported both the Club and the Halifax Cricket League ever since. You spent a day painting our newly built pavilion in 2012 during our NatWest Cricket Force Showcase Day and you have taken part in several fund-raising events for us over the years. You always spare time for us, and we will always be proud and grateful in equal measure.
We are thrilled for you Olly – and we hope you have a great testimonial year.
From all your friends at Copley Cricket Club.
Copley CC
Oliver Hannon-Dalby, what an impressive man, and being asked to write something for your testimonial year is an absolute honour.
I've had the chance to observe OHD several times from the opposition dressing room.
I've often wondered about that long run-up and the way he pushes his right arm away from him during his approach to the crease, all seemingly designed to unsettle opposition batters. Well, it seems to be working for him brilliantly.
Working alongside OHD for over a year has been a joy, and it's not just because he's the tallest guy on the team, capable of effortlessly reaching anything on the top shelf!
His work ethic is off the charts, and it sets an incredible example for all of us. The consistency of his character matches the consistency we see on the pitch. Perhaps there's something for all of us to learn there!
But it's not just OHD’s towering presence that makes him stand out. He's an incredible team player, someone who understands the importance of teamwork and camaraderie. He's always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who needs it.
Oliver Hannon-Dalby is more than just a cricketer; he's a fantastic colleague and a role model. He brings professionalism, integrity, and a great sense of humour to everything he does.
Ollie, it's a privilege to work with you, and I wish you every success in this well-deserved testimonial year.
You are one of the good ones, mate!
Barnsey
Stuart Barnes
Having known Olly for a long time, I couldn't think of anyone more deserving of a testimonial year.
He is not only a true model professional but the ultimate team mate in every squad he's been in.
To have captained Olly for 4 years has been an absolute honour and to see his career go from strength to strength during that tome has given me great pleasure.
This testimonial year is not only to recognise what Olly has achieved on the field for the Bears but also to celebrate the great bloke he is off it!
All the best for a great year pal!
Rhodesy
Will Rhodes
A large man with an even larger heart, Oliver Hannon Dalby (OHD) stands out as the ideal recipient for a benefit year. Skill, positivity, hard work, and an insatiable appetite for winning cricket games for the Bears are just a few reasons he rightfully earned the title of the 'fans' favorite' at Edgbaston. Beyond his on-field respect, his off-field resume is equally impressive. Olly dedicates countless hours to helping others and supporting the community, always the first to volunteer for a worthy cause. I genuinely hope you'll join me in supporting Olly throughout 2024, seizing the opportunity to express your gratitude for all he has accomplished during his time at the Bears.
Ian Westwood
To the Long Fellow,
I'm overjoyed to congratulate you on your testimonial year, for an incredible 10 years with Warwickshire County Cricket Club. What a milestone!
Oliver, you were the first to offer your friendship when we played together, and your welcoming spirit has made you a great friend ever since. Your warmth not only on the field but off it as well, makes the Bears feel like a family.
On the field, you are more than just a player. Your bowling skills have left a lasting mark on our team's success. It's a true pleasure to share the pitch with someone as talented and dedicated as you.
You have an incredibly jolly nature. Always spreading positivity with your humour and energy, you bring joy to the Bears dressing room.
And let's not forget the amazing work you do off the field. Your contributions to the community and commitment to making a difference show you are an outstanding person, both as a cricketer and as a human being.
Long fellow, this testimonial is all about you, and you absolutely deserve it. A huge congratulations on 10 remarkable years with Warwickshire. Here's to many more years of success!
Cheers,
Hasan
Hassan Ali
Congrats to Owlhead Shannon-Dizzle on the most deserved testimonial year.
A lot will be said in the next 12 months about the Lanky northerner. He’s one of the great team men, (in the good way, not a “he never gets to play but runs the drinks with a smile” way) an incredibly consistent, super fit and ultra reliable bowler who has become a true match winner. His sense of humour and perfectly run fines nights and sing-alongs will live long in so many people’s memories and also he’s a left handed batter.
I have always joked with OHD about the many extra curricular skills he has added to his bag over the years, I’m fairly confident in saying that he is now a qualified plumber, electrician, a celebrated after dinner speaker, a horticulturalist, and almost certainly the only qualified level 4 coach with a masters degree in business still playing first class cricket! I know he has suffered from the same self doubt as all professionals and secretly suspected he added these skills due to a fear of being handed his P45 every time he walked in the door. Whilst I still think that was a small factor, I have also realised that the main reason is bravery.
Not just the kind of bravery that it takes to bat for an hour to save a game with a broken arm. But inner bravery. OHD has never shied away from a challenge, on or off the field.
One example is in white ball cricket, at a time when we couldn’t find anyone willing to bowl at the death (the last few overs of an innings) OHD put his hand up. The role didn’t suit his skill set as a bowler at the time but when others wouldn’t, he faced the challenge head on. He rode the highs and lows and worked tirelessly on improving and expanding his skills to eventually become a lynchpin in a side that went on to win trophies in every white ball competition.
There are numerous other examples on and off the field that make OHD not just an unwaveringly reliable friend and team mate but also a source of inspiration for so many around him.
It really is difficult to think of anyone more deserving of our thanks and appreciation than the humble giant. It’s almost a guarantee that anyone who participates in his testimonial events will have a memorable time.
I wish Ollie, Kirsty and Tobias Radagast the very best for this year and all the adventures and challenges ahead which I know will see Ollie don his beloved white bear and face them all head on.
Love ya mate,
Tim Ambrose.
Tim Ambrose
Sometimes in life you come across really good people, who genuinely enjoy being part of something special, enjoy other people having success and do everything they can to help others succeed. In OHD he is one of those people, he is a unique individual in more ways than one.
Standing at well over six foot, with a ball in his hand, and his desire to do all he can to help his team win, don’t be fooled that he is just a nice guy, he is a competitor, driven to win, to not go for runs and desperate to get the batter out, even if that involves sharing a few thoughts on the batters technique or game.
I was privileged to be in the dressing room at Edgbaston when Olly was presented with his county cap, and there was not a dry eye in the room, never has a cap been more proudly received and earnt. It showed the love and feeling for him from everybody luckily enough to be in that room that afternoon.
On and off the field Olly has been the best professional he possibly can be, always the first to respond to volunteer, always the first to shake the hand of a newcomer, always the first to grab the ball and bowl, and do all he can to help his team, his club, his mates.
I really hope this coming year is an opportunity for all cricket lovers to show their support to Olly and help make this Testimonial year a truly fantastic year, because a Testimonial has never more deserved.
Good luck OHD,
Paul Farbrace.
Paul Farbrace
O.H.D – Year of the Owl
It is an honour and a privilege to write an article for a great man.
Having seen him come through the ranks at Yorkshire and end up being one of the most consistent seamers in the country is testament to his skill, hard work, self belief and resilience. Benefit years are not as common these days but they were set up to reward loyalty, excellence and consistency over a sustained period at one club. I don’t think anyone fits that description more than Olly.
Character is the most important attribute of all top athletes, O.H.D has this in abundance. On and off the field he is always there for team mates and always happy to help or listen. Apart from nicking all my jokes in his early days he has a decent sense of humour!!! He isn’t a bad singer either but needs to branch out a bit now from the Tom Jones song ‘Delilah’.
I know he is very popular with players, staff and members at Warwickshire and I’m sure he will get the support he deserves throughout the year. Essex visit Birmingham in September so I’m looking forward to catching up (as long as you don’t get any wickets) and seeing how the benefit is progressing.
Go well pal, enjoy I hope it’s an amazing year for you.
Mags
Anthony McGrath
OHD, the Owl, what a great team man. The epitome of what it takes to be successful as a cricketer. Someone who is admired, followed and remembered by their peers because of how they treat the game and the people around them.
He’s a bloody useful bowler too!!
Have a great year OHD!
Love Grant (The Hairy Javelin)
x
Grant Elliott
Every team needs an OHD
It’s a great honour to be asked by Ollie to write a piece for his benefit year. It would be difficult to find a more deserving recipient of a benefit year award than OHD for the years of commitment and dedication he’s given the teams he’s been a part of, and his team mates.
For me the best teams are built on a really good mix of people, with different skills and personalities, one size doesn’t fit all, nor should it. It of course needs its superstars, the game changers. But teams also need people who move more quietly along, setting the tone of the dressing room, delivering consistency and adding energy to the room, day in and day out. Players who go above and beyond for the team and out of their way to help and support team mates. My experience of Ollie is that he is absolutely one of these players. That’s not to say he hasn’t delivered some superstar performances during his career, he certainly has. However, while every team needs its game changers, having an OHD character or two in any team is like gold dust. Every team needs an Ollie.
Additionally, in an era where the movement of players between clubs has become more common and the development of the franchise system has led to some players moving between different teams almost monthly, a player like OHD will become a real rarity. The club man, who lays down roots and becomes an architect of that environment. A man that has a powerful and positive impact on that team, his team mates and it’s supporters; a lasting legacy.
Congratulations Ollie on a fantastic career, and best wishes for a very successful year ahead.
Ashley Giles
OHD
It is with great joy and an honour to be asked to contribute some words to OHD's Benefit Year.
Nobody deserves a benefit more and typifies what it means to be a Warwickshire player.
The responsibility I believe as a capped player to lead by example, want the ball under pressure day in day out, be a good team mate and be a person anybody at the club could come to are all traits that Oli possesses and portrays.
Oli for a long time now has been Warwickshire 'go to' bowler when needing a wicket or when the pressure is on. This is a great example for the younger bowlers on what it takes to be a Warwickshire player.
Every time I took the field, I enjoyed playing with OHD and during my short stint as captain was definitely a bowler knew I could rely on.
Off the field, I would suggest not sharing a room during preseason because of his terrible snoring!
But his skills on the Karaoke machine certainly make up for this and is always a great tourist no matter what county or country the team is in.
All the best OHD on your benefit year. You dully deserve for your services and performances over the years
You Bears!
Trotty
Jonathan Trott
In celebration of Olly’s benefit year, it is both a privilege and a joy to reflect upon a decade-long association that began with his move from Yorkshire to Warwickshire in 2013. Throughout this period, Oliver has consistently demonstrated the qualities of a professional cricketer, marked by exceptional leadership and an unwavering work ethic.
One particularly memorable instance highlighting Olly’s steadfast dedication occurred during a match against Somerset. Faced with the possibility of imminent defeat, he displayed unparalleled resilience by batting for over an hour with a broken arm, ultimately securing a draw for the team. This remarkable demonstration of commitment and mental toughness positions him as a stalwart figure, an invaluable asset for navigating challenges within the game. With an impressive tally of over 500 wickets across various formats, Oliver stands as a cornerstone of Warwickshire's modern-day success. As a true guardian of the Warwickshire spirit, he wholeheartedly embodies the club's values at numerous events, reaffirming his steadfast commitment as a distinguished member of Warwickshire CCC.
Beyond the cricket pitch, Olly infuses a buoyant spirit into the team through his discernible sense of humour, consistently lifting teammates' morale with witty remarks. Moreover, his role extends beyond the traditional scope of a cricketing professional, taking on the mantle of a paternal figure to the team. This is especially evident in his invaluable support of players like Hainy, where his influence extends beyond the boundaries of the game and into the DIY elements of Sam’s house.
As we approach Olly’s benefit year, it becomes abundantly clear that no individual is more deserving of this honour. The upcoming year is poised to be a celebration not only of a remarkable cricketer but also of a multifaceted individual whose influence reaches far beyond the sporting arena. I extend heartfelt wishes to Oliver for what undoubtedly promises to be an exceptional and memorable benefit year. May it serve as a testament to his outstanding contributions and enduring legacy within the realm of cricket.
Tony Frost
Olly hannon Dalby
OHD….What a guy!
I’ve spent the best part of 10 years playing with OHD at Edgbaston and I don’t think I’ve had a more professional team mate across that period. A guy who is the ultimate professional, works harder than anyone else and it doesn’t surprise me that he’s still doing the same things now day in day out. He is a massive influence on the rest of the squad and shows the younger players what it takes to be a great pro. It’s been amazing to see his success particularly in the County Championship over the last few seasons where he’s led the attack and showed everyone how good a bowler he really is. It’s great to see him get the rewards he thoroughly deserves.
I’m so pleased that the club have given this benefit year to Olly. It’s not only the brilliant performances on the field that makes him deserve this benefit it’s also the way he carries himself off the field. I’m sure the players will vouch for me in saying how good a job he has done as our PCA rep for a number of years now. He also represents the club off the field brilliantly too, always has time for the members and fans, is always the first to help out with coaching opportunities for the young bears and I’m sure the members will be fully behind him in 2024 to make his benefit year the best it can be.
Congrats Ol, you thoroughly deserve this mate.
All the best!
Woakesy x
Chris Woakes
I've known Olly since the day we both arrived fresh faced at Edgbaston in 2013. Since then he's been a true servant on and off the field and someone everyone looks up to within the dressing room. Not only that, he's one of my best mates. If there is any problem, I know I can give him a call and he would be right there. I couldn't think of someone more deserving of a testimonial year. A true bear, a great man and a great friend. Proud of you x
Sam Hain
The word ‘Great’ is an often overused term to describe many things. In cricketing terms, it’s left to describe the very best players, the most skilful ones… the ones all of us would want to share the dressing room with.
I remember OHD bursting onto the scene when he began playing 1st Team cricket for Yorkshire in 2010. From a distance, it appeared like he had a magic wand and simply waved it whenever he wanted a five wicket haul. I remember thinking at that stage, he’s definitely someone to keep an eye on for the future.
For some reason, he fell out of favour at the club and I remember facing him in a 2nd XI one day match at Edgbaston a couple of years later when I was roped in to play as 2nd XI coach due to a number of injuries. He was still really impressive with his skills and he hit the bat quite hard… at least it seemed like it to me having not practiced for a few years!
I took over as Director of Cricket in 2013 and I remember answering a phone call to a number that I didn’t recognise. It was Ollie. The long and short was he was leaving Yorkshire and was basically suggesting that he would be happy to come and practice for free at Edgbaston over the winter so that we could make a decision on him after seeing him from close quarters.
I remember speaking to Pop Welch, the Warwickshire Bowling Coach, who was brilliant at identifying and developing bowling talent. I hadn’t forgotten the start Ollie had made to his career a couple of years previously and we were certainly looking to bolster our bowling resources that winter. Pop and I agreed that it was a ‘no brainer’ and we invited him down for a 6 week trial period but without any promises moving forward.
We very soon realised he was a ‘great’ bloke. Despite being relatively new to the environment he gave energy, laughter, tenacity but also a great balance to a well established dressing room. He really was turning into the ‘cultural professor’ with his sharp wit and sense of fun and it was no surprise that we signed him as a Bear after his initial trial.
Ollie’s cricket continued to improve both with ball where he was progressing really well under Pop’s guidance but also with the bat. Who can forget him holding up the Somerset attack along with Rikki Clarke for an entire session, despite having a fractured arm after taking one from Alfonso Thomas.
His one day bowling was developing more and more and with his calm but determined approach, he became integral to our success in one day cricket, bowling important overs at both ends of the innings. His 3 wickets in the 2014 T20 Blast Final including the big ones of Buttler and Croft proved crucial to our win and 2 wickets in the 2016 One Day Cup Final v Surrey at Lord’s including the huge one of Sangakkara really showing how important he had become to us as a team.
However, let’s get back to the word ‘Great’.
Since that final in 2016, Ollie truly has become a stand out performer, especially in red ball cricket. Not just for Warwickshire, where he continually leads the attack, but has turned himself into one of the leading seamers in the country. His reputation as a player in the game is as good as it’ll get but as a member of the Bears, he is Mr Dependable. Having formed a formidable new ball partnership with Chris Rushworth, together they are probably the most feared new ball attack in the country… the thing of nightmares for opening batters as they are continually dragged forward to defend the top of their off stump with the ball always just offering enough to make it really tough.
Away from the field, Ollie has always been first to do the other stuff. He really values the members and local community and continually offers his time to support anything the club is involved with; school visits, members forums, Q&A’s… you name it! He is most certainly the one that grabs every aspect of being a Bears player and always goes above and beyond.
He may not have the pace of Allan Donald, the brilliance of Gladstone (when he wasn’t stiff!) or the theatre of Paul Smith… but when it comes to ‘Great’ Warwickshire bowlers, Oliver James Hannon-Dalby is right up there with the best of them. Completely embracing everything about the club and someone who has worked tirelessly to be the best player he can possibly be every single day, with the same energy and laughter that we saw from him from day one…
Have a great year mate, both on and off the field… it really is thoroughly deserved.
All the best
Dougie
