St George DCC Trial match v Charlie Kelleway's XI 1921
St George Cricket Club | January 30, 2026
As St George DCC compete in their 105 season of First Grade Cricket here's a great summary by Nathan Anderson of the trial played before they had their first official match back in the season of 1921-22.
To begin their First Grade cricket career, St George completed a trial match against an XI organised by Australian test cricketer Charlie Kelleway. The team, described by local paper The Propeller as “practically a New South Wales XI”, featured seven state representatives including test players Kelleway and Alan Kippax. A formidable opposition for a trial match. The Propeller also wrote that it “promises to be both interesting and good... although it could not be expected of them to come out on top. There is no doubt there will be some very bright cricket, and lovers of the game should not miss this match.”
The St George side was made up of a combination of youth and experience. The team of twelve featured Lyall Wall, “a real good bowler and bat”, Ted Adams, “a fast leg-break bowler of promise”, Charles Crispo, “well known as a stylish bat,” Milton Barter “a good bat and bowler”, Sid Francis, “one of the best googly bowlers in the game”, Des Mullarkey, who had a “big reputation as a promising batsman,” Richard Jones, captain of the side and “a first-class bat”, Frank Cush, “a left-handed bat of promise,” Percy Roberts, “another Junior with good performances with the bat,” Charlie Barter, “keeper” and “a good trier”, and Ralph Kable “a very stylish batsman.”
Cricket lovers would have indeed enjoyed the spectacle with around 1,500 spectators attending the match at Bexley Oval which ended in a respectable draw. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Kelleway’s XI were soon 1 for 16 thanks to a catch by Ralph Kable off the bowling of Wall. Wall also took the second wicket with the score at 2 for 47. Some strong batting from Kelleway’s side saw four batsmen retire on their way to a team total of 160 before declaring. Kippax, the test cricketer, appeared to enjoy the bowling of Frank Cush, hitting two sixes and two fours in one over on his way to a top score of 34 retired. Wall ended with 2 for 32, while Adams (1 for 16) and Osborne (1 for 19) were able to secure a wicket each for their efforts. Osborne was a replacement for H. Veal who had initially been named in the side.
In response, St George were able to reach 7 for 123 before the end of play. Des Mullarkey was the top scorer for the Saints, scoring 32 before his dismissal. He “showed best form with the bat, two of his straight drives for six each being fine strokes made without an effort.” Percy Roberts (24 retired) and Ralph Kable (22 retired) also impressed with the bat. The match also doubled as a fundraising event for the St. George District Hospital with a collection of funds taken up during the Saturday afternoon.
Following the match, Kelleway “said he was pleased to bring the team out and give the game a boost in the district. He said the wicket at Bexley was good, but the outfield was rough, and hardly fit yet for grade cricket.” The outfield also came under fire from The Sun who described it as “rough as bags.”
With the exception of two members in the St George side, Ralph Kable and T. Osborne, the side against Kelleway’s XI was the same for the First round of competition the following weekend. Interestingly, Kable did not play any First Grade cricket in 1921-22 and was made to wait until the following season to make his First Grade debut for the club. For Osborne, this trial game was the closest he came to a First Grade match for St George.
Image - Charlie Kellaway (Australian Cricketer)
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