Michael Di Venuto

Michael James Di Venuto (born 12 December 1973 in Hobart, Tasmania) is a former Australia cricketer of Italian descent who played first-class cricket for Tasmanian Tigers and One Day Internationals for Australia. Although he has retired from representative cricket in Australia, he currently continues to play for Durham CCC. He has also previously played cricket in England for Derbyshire and Sussex. A left hand opening batsman, his form for Tasmania throughout the mid-1990s earned his a call up for the Australian national cricket team in the One Day International arena, although after nine games he was dropped. Like some of his contemporary Tasmanian team-mates such as Jamie Cox, Dene Hills, and Shaun Young, Di Venuto can be considered unlucky to have not had a more successful international career, as he was playing at a time when the Australian national cricket team was highly dominant, and difficult to earn selection for.

Early career

Born in Hobart, Tasmania of Italian Australian extraction, Michael Di Venuto attended St Virgil's College and began his cricketing career representing St Virgil's Cricket Club. Michael's father Enrico, and brother Peter were also talented cricketers, but were both surpassed by his ability. Showing his talent from an early age, he soon joined North Hobart Cricket Club, who participate in the Tasmanian Cricket Association's TCA Grade Cricket Competition. It was in that competition that Di Venuto first made a name for himself. His form in the...
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