Steve Rixon - inducted into Cricket NSW Hall of Fame

Paul Ryan | April 19, 2023

On the 5 April 2023 at Cricket NSW Steve Waugh Medal Awards night Steve Rixon was inducted into the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame. A terrific and richly deserved accolade.

Steve Rixon was the driver of culture and standards in NSW Cricket for the best part of 30 or more years

Let's find out more about Steve Rixon, the man, mate, player, coach, mentor and his influence.

 

Steve Rixon made his first grade for Waverley Cricket Club (now Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club) on 30 September 1972 to be Waverley’s First Grade player number 431.

Steve made his first-class debut for NSW against Queensland at the Gabba on 25 October 1974 and his Blues skipper was Doug Walters

On the 10 October 1975 Steve Rixon made his debut for Western Suburbs District Cricket Club and is Wests first grade player number 456

On the 2 December 1977 Steve Rixon made his Test Debut for Australia against India at the Gabba to be Australian Test Cricketer number 287. The Australian Test captain on his debut was his Western Suburbs Club teammate Bob Simpson.

On the 29 September 1979 Steve Rixon made his debut for Sutherland District Cricket Club and is Sutherland First Grade Player Number 85

David Hourn – Life Member Waverley Cricket Club (Eastern Suburbs) and former NSW spinner

Steve Rixon had 3 seasons with Waverley Cricket Club from 1972-75.

We asked him to Waverley after seeing him and he’s fast bowling mate Jack Holman play in a game the previous year. They both came and shared a flat in Bondi as 18-year-olds.

Stumpa did score a 100 and a few 50’s but it was his wicket keeping, which was the absolute standout, especially to our 3 spinners. His keeping got him into the NSW side at 20 years of age.

As a spinner myself he was easily the best wicket keeper by a long way I’ve bowled to.

I seriously cannot ever remember him missing a chance of me in 10-12 years. Also, just as important was he’s ability to motivate the whole fielding unit with he’s energy and the way he read the game.

Six first class centuries, all as night watchman, probably showed he’d have got runs anywhere in the order. He was a terrific batsman at mostly No 7 or 8 who I found very difficult to bowl to when we played against each other or in the nets, probably because he read every delivery, I bowled to him which annoyed me immensely.

Stumpa, a great cricketer, motivator and terrific bloke, someone who I’m glad was my keeper as it gave me the confidence to try anything when I was at the bowling crease.

Dennis Hourn – Life Member Waverley Cricket Club

Steve came to Waverley Cricket Club as an 18-year-old from Albury for the 1972/73 season. He played with Waverley for three seasons. He came with a reputation of being an extremely talented sportsman, not just in cricket, but also Aussie Rules.

I am not sure how we got Steve to the club, but I remember him in the early years as ultra quite, a typical country boy. 

Some excerpts from the annual reports when he was with Waverley.

In the last game of the season, in a very strange selection decision, Steve opened the bowling with me against Bankstown bagging 2/23 of four overs. 

Steve had a unique bowling style. Decidedly medium pace he sort of crept, crab like to the wicket with a very low running and wippy arm action. But he produced the goods in our win in a low scoring match against Bankstown.

Mike Swan – President of Western Suburbs District Cricket Club

Former Australian captain Warren Bardsley’s nephew, Peter, strongly recommended Steve Rixon to Western Suburbs and introduced him to club captain Bob Simpson.

Rixon had debuted for NSW during 1974-75. He would go on to debut for Australia on 2 December 1977 versus India, in his third season at Wests. His five catches in his initial Test helped Australia to a narrow victory.

Rixon played his first game for Wests on 10 October 1975 versus Randwick, as Magpie first grade Player No 456. In his 27 matches, he batted 29 times, twice ‘not out’, scoring 593 runs at 21.96. His highest score was 59. Steve took 35 catches and made 13 stumpings.

Western Suburbs District Cricket Club congratulates Steve Rixon on being inducted into Cricket NSW Hall of Fame

Tom Iceton – Life Member Sutherland District Cricket Club

Steve Rixon was inducted into the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame on 5th April, a very well-deserved honour for a man who has been an enthusiastic and devoted contributor to NSW cricket for 40 years since he first played for NSW Colts. He became the second player to play 100 first class matches for NSW (after Doug Walters) and was a member of two Sheffield Shield-winning sides, including the first Shield final in Perth in 1982-83, which ended a Shield drought of 17 years. He was a very highly regarded wicketkeeper, taking 248 catches and making 50 stumpings for NSW. He was unfortunate to play in the same era as Rod Marsh. This restricted him to 13 Tests, 10 of which were played during the World Series Cricket years and the final three after Marsh had retired. He was also an effective lower order batsman for NSW, scoring 3229 runs at an average of 25 (including six centuries). 

Stumpa's influence on NSW cricket continued after he retired from first class cricket at the end of the 1987-88 season, when he was appointed NSW Coach for the 1989-90 season. NSW won the Sheffield Shield in his first season as coach and won a further two Shields and three one-day competitions in his first six-year stint as coach. After coaching New Zealand for three years, he returned as NSW Coach in 2000-01. In four years as coach, NSW won another Sheffield Shield and three more one-day competitions. He had subsequent coaching roles at English county team Surrey, IPL team Chennai Super Kings and national teams Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka over the next 15 years.

In his final season of grade cricket for Sutherland in 1988-89, Stumper was club coach. It was this role that prompted then CNSW Chief Executive Bob Radford to approach him about taking on the NSW role the following season. When he finished his first stint as NSW Coach in 1994-95, Stumper returned to the club coach role at Sutherland and had a major influence on the club winning its first 1st Grade premiership in 1995-96. The club also won the 2nd Grade premiership that season to complete a rare double. When he then took on the New Zealand role, he still maintained his involvement at Sutherland whenever he could, highlighted by the New Zealand team playing a practice match against Sutherland in January 1998 as part of their preparation for that season's one-day series - the first time a touring national team had played an Australian club team. He had subsequent periods as club coach and part of the coaching staff before he finished his coaching involvement. 

Stumper also served as Club President of Sutherland for 9 years from 2006 to 2015. He has also been actively involved in the NSW Baggy Blues (former NSW players who conduct promotional activities in regional and country NSW) for many years. He was made a Life Member of Cricket NSW in 1996 and of Sutherland DCC in 2010. It has been a wonderful lifetime of involvement in NSW cricket and his induction into the CNSW Hall of Fame has been richly deserved.

Sutherland District Cricket Club First 1^st Grade premiership team – 1995-96

Back Row – Matt Bradley, Daniel McLachlan, Evan Atkins, Mark Carroll, Mark Chapman, Tim Brennan, Darren Holley, Linton Ball

Middle Row – Steve Rixon (Coach), Matthew O’Brien, Daniel Godkin, Jason Packer, Geoff Baron, Stuart Clark, Darrell Mann, Kevin Tuite, Barry Davison (Assistant Coach), Julie Coote (Scorer)

Front Row – Jason Holley, Phil Weatherall, Glenn McGrath, Rodney Davison (Captain), Darren Mitchell, Tony Clark, Stuart MacGill

Steve Rixon included in the Sutherland District Cricket Club team of 50 years

From left to right: Mark Chapman, Steve Smith, Phil Jaques, Steve Rixon, Stuart Clark, Tony Clark, John Dyson, Lisa Griffith (Ted Cotton’s daughter), Kristen Davidson (Norm O’Neill’s daughter), Rodney Davison

Absent: Andrew Hilditch, Glenn McGrath

Rick McCosker – Former Australian Opener and NSW Captain

Steve Rixon - Stumpa

"The quintessential competitor, loving the Baggy Blue cap and what it stands for. Always giving 100% whether 'keeping, batting, coaching or sharing stories with the boys.

New South Wales cricket is indebted to Stumpa for his many years of passionate service, and forever thankful that he chose to come north to Sydney and not south to Melbourne.

So many of us have benefitted from his cricket knowledge and friendship both on and off the field and to be inducted into the CNSW Hall of Fame is due recognition”.

NSW Sheffield Shield Champions – 1982-83

Back Row – Len Pascoe, Trevor Chappell, Geoff Lawson, Dirk Wellham, Steve Rixon, Murray Bennett, Greg Matthews

Middle Row – Peter Toohey, John Dyson, Mike Whitney, Steve Smith

Front Row – Rick McCosker (Captain)

Australian First Team v West Indies – 1978 tour of the West Indies

Back Row - Jeff Thomson (Vice-Captain), Bruce Yardley, Jim Higgs, Fred Bennett (Manager), Graham Yallop, Steve Rixon, Trevor Laughlin, Gary Cosier, Wayne Clark, Craig Sergeant

Front Row - Peter Toohey, Graeme Wood, Bob Simpson (Captain)

John Dyson – Former Australian and NSW batter

Often, I’ve been asked, “who are the best players I’ve played with and or against”?

Who was the best batsman, fast bowler, spin bowler, fieldsman and, of course, wicketkeeper. Immediately, in my small group of class wicketkeepers, Steve Rixon’s name comes to mind. I’ve been fortunate to play with “Stumpa” in teams for Australia, NSW and Sutherland and unfortunate to play against him in quite a few “Toohey’s Cup” matches throughout regional NSW.

Why is he in my elite group of gloveman?

Teams need their wicketkeeper to be “safe’, i.e., not miss the “easy ones” (as if any catch or stumping is easy) but also snare the great majority of the “hard ones”. Keepers need to be excellent at both taking the quicks standing back to the quicks and just as good when standing up at the stumps to the spinners. Stumpa effortlessly ticked both boxes. But also, the keeper needs to exude energy, motivate the fielders, and offer tactical advice to both the bowler and the captain. Big ticks again for Stumpa. If that’s not enough, a modern day ‘keeper must be able to bat and score better than just “handy runs”. Being the first to volunteer for nightwatchman duty and having scored six first class hundreds and two Test fifties shout out that Steve was better than just an ordinary late middle order batsman.

After retiring from playing, Steve became a highly respected State, International and Club coach. His tenacity as a player carried through to his coaching style where hard work, discipline and a “no nonsense” attitude became his trademarks.

I don’t have an absolute “best” in any of the cricket disciplines, but what I can name in each is a very small group who were, in my opinion, fantastic players who stood out as being the elite of their “trade”. Steve Rixon deserves his spot in my group of ‘keepers.

Dirk Wellham – Former Australian batter and NSW Captain

I began playing with Stumpa as the keeper at Western Suburbs when I was 16; and then with him onto my first Shield game at the MCG; eventually we moved onwards into the Ashes Test squad in England in 1981. Stumpa was always a brilliant quick mover with great hands, and with excellent understanding with his bowling partners. He was a very positive thinker and player.

He moved onto coaching the NSW team when I captained other states. I always admired watching his diligence and high standards with the players in his teams, including Australia, as the fielding Coach. Stumpa was an outstanding player; a great Coach; and an exceptional teammate.

NSW Sheffield Shield champions 1984-85

Back Row – John Dyson, Geoff Lawson, David Gilbert, Murray Bennett, Greg Dyer, Wayne Seabrook, Bob Simpson (Coach)

Middle Row – Peter Clifford, Bob Holland, Steve Waugh, Imran Khan

Front Row – Steve Smith, Dirk Wellham (Captain), Phil Marks, Steve Rixon

Murray Bennett – Former Australian and NSW Spinner

Steve (Stumpa) Rixon is without question probably the fiercest competitor it has been my pleasure to play with and observe up close carrying out his duties as the Coach of NSW.

His ability as a wicketkeeper was up there with the best to have represented Australia. A true test of a Keeper is their ability keeping over the stumps, and it was here that he stood out among many of his contemporaries. I can speak with some authority as my first of my first-class wicket was a sharp leg side stumping from Steve at the WACA to dismiss former Australian batsman, Craig Sergeant. Steve keeping over the stumps was forever in the game, constantly reminding the batsmen of his presence. His ability over the stumps certainly contributed to much of the success I enjoyed during my first-class career.

Later, Steve invited me to be his assistant during the early period of him coaching NSW. It was in this role that I was able to observe his great understanding of the game and his ability to get the best out of the players under his charge. No player was unsure what was expected of them due to Steve’s straight forward no-nonsense approach. His tireless energy on the training paddock would naturally rub off on the individual team members. He was the best fielding trainer that I have seen and every team he has coached could not help but to improve this aspect of their game.

Finally, in my support of the comment about Stumpa being a fierce competitor, I refer to our regular squash games the 1980’s to 90’s. Despite Stumpa being a much more accomplished player than me, he would show me no mercy, in fact he’d take much pleasure in grinding me into the floorboards. Except when he tore an Achilles tendon mid game one evening and I was able to claim a “walkover” (ha ha!!)

Congratulations Stumpa on being inducted into the NSW Hall of Fame, you certainly deserve it.

Kepler Wessels – Forer Australian and Queensland batter and South Africa captain

I thoroughly enjoyed playing with Stumpa for Australia. His positive approach made him a valuable tea mate. 

We had some good battle as opponents during the Sheffield Shield. Both Qld and NSW had excellent teams at the time which resulted in some highly charged battles. Stumpa was always in the thick of things.

Later on, he became an excellent coach particularly in the fielding department where he was an inspiration. 

Steve Rixon playing AFL for St George against East Sydney at Trumper Park, Paddington (East Sydney home ground).

Steve Small – Former NSW and Tasmanian batter

I am delighted to see the elevation of Steve Rixon to the NSW Cricket Hall of Fame.

When we reflect on the past success of NSW Stumpa’s name is at the forefront. After the dominance of NSW Teams in the 1960s NSW went through tough times in the 1970s despite having some unbelievable players of Test Class.

The Rick McCosker Team of early 1980s started another era with young players wanting success.

Steve Rixon led this charge, and whether it was flawless wicket keeping or going in as night watchman and making a century he set a benchmark among his teammates.

Unfortunately, his era had another great Australian wicket keeper Rod Marsh and so Stumpa’s Test appearances were less often. He could have played 100 Tests!

His total dedication was even more evident when holding a senior executive role with our major sponsor Toohey’s continually promoting the game especially in Regional NSW inspiring the young generation.

A great player and team man

After retiring Stumpa turned to coaching which was seamless.

I’m especially grateful to him for the help, guidance, and bloody hard work he put into me so I too could experience the highs of winning the Sheffield Shield! (Thanks, Stumpa).

He’s coached all around the world and changed the careers of many many, players and reams.

Stumpa, have a great celebration mate, thoroughly deserved!

A True Blue.

Len Pascoe, Phil Marks, Phil Emery, Steve Rixon - NSW Baggy Blues

Phil Marks – Former NSW Allrounder

As a player, Steve Rixon was fiercely competitive, naturally talented, and uncompromising in his professional expectation of those who played alongside him. He used those attributes coupled with his accumulated knowledge and experience to carve out a very successful international and local coaching career. I feel very fortunate to have played with and been coached by him.

More recently, and as a proud NSW Baggy Blue, Stumpa has given a mountain of his time promoting cricket and mental health awareness in rural and regional areas of NSW. A true NSW cricketing legend, worthy Hall of Fame recipient and all-round great bloke!!

Steve Waugh – Former Australian and NSW captain 

Whether Stumpa was alongside you as a player, coach, or mentor his love of cricket shone through.

He was always debating, discussing, and dissecting the game to either inspire or challenge you and ultimately make you a better player.

Passion was his calling card, and his enthusiasm and energy were the traits that made him such a valuable cricket brain to have around.

Congrats on your Hall of Fame acknowledgment-it is thoroughly deserved. 

 

Mark Taylor – Former Australian and NSW Captain  

I have only fond memories of playing with and being coached by Steve 'Stumpa' Rixon. Having the common bond of a regional upbringing undoubtedly helped forge a very positive relationship.

I enjoyed the way Stumpa played and coached the game, always looking for a result but firstly putting in the hard yards behind the scenes to be ready to play.

He kept the game simple, knowing that all facets were important but none more than fielding where his expertise and enthusiasm helped many of us who played alongside him. 

Theres no doubt he loved the game as a player and coach and the game, particularly here in NSW was much richer for it. Congratulations Stumpa.

 

 

Phil Emery – Former Australian and NSW wicket keeper and captain

There are many cricketers that owe Steve Rixon a debt of gratitude for their careers and for their enjoyment of the game, I’m one of them.

I played against Stumpa very early in my career in 1st grade cricket and just by playing against him you learned so much - tough competition, high standards, skill, work ethic, knowledge of the game and when it was all done friendship, discussion, sharing information and then to move on.

I trained with him when I first got in the NSW State squad and that's when I really got to see up close the work ethic and quality that you needed to strive for to be a decent cricketer. He worked hard and didn’t tolerate laziness or bad practice ethics; no time was wasted, and he demanded standards of himself and those around him.

I was fortunate to be selected to play my first game for NSW v SA in Adelaide upon his retirement and at the time Stumpa was involved with Kookaburra, I had to collect some gear from him before the tour - he congratulated me and we spoke about the Adelaide wicket, he was matter of fact but encouraging and gave me some pieces of advice for the match, nothing over the top just straight forward. From those initial meetings and interactions my take on him is that he hasn’t changed his approach at all.

Our relationship developed since those early days and we had a very successful period as player and coach when he took the reins at NSW - it was an unbelievably enjoyable period - five Shield final appearances, winning three and three One-day finals appearance winning all three. Two of those years we won the double. I spent an enormous amount of time with Stump one on one. When I was Captain, we discussed all things that could make us better - practice planning, strategies, personalities, facilities, culture, support etc. You name it, if it could improve us, he'd try it.

As a keeper - he was my mentor and we worked hard together. He always was willing to help develop and train your skills and so wanted to see you improve - he genuinely enjoyed your successes.

Stumpa drove the culture with the support of senior players. He was a tough task master but always had your back if you were honest with yourself and worked hard.

One practice session I remember when he asked me to take over a fielding drill for him, which had you running two or three players around like sheepdogs chasing a couple of balls in tandem - I asked him how long the drill should go, his reply was simple - "you’ll know". That meant go until they couldn’t get up or they were throwing up. I’d been on the other side of the drill, so I got the message.

Stumpa is New South Wales through and through, a country kid who has a passion for sport and who strives for peak performances. A true winner and a good celebrator when the job was done.

Stumpa has had an enormous effect on my cricket and my life in general, as he has done for so many. He is the most influential coach I've ever had anything to do with in sport and I measure others against his standards.

Steve Rixon is a true legend of NSW cricket; he epitomises what it is to be a Baggy Blue and being inducted into the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame is so well deserved.

Brad McNamara – Former NSW all-rounder

Until the late 1980s early 90s, the role of the cricket coach was to set the training time, make sure the nets were up, and there were enough balls to go around.

Bob Simpson changed that for the Australian team, and with just as much effect and success, Steve Rixon did the same for the New South Wales cricket team throughout the 1990s.

Stumpa took the attitude he displayed as a Test cricketer into his coaching - hard, uncompromising, competitive and above all a fierce will to win playing positive cricket.

As a NSW player during that time, there was no going through the motions, rolling up to training for a casual hit and a few catches. There was an enjoyable competitive purpose to everything, train as you were going to play, do it once, do it properly and go, or stay until you do.

I have no doubt much of NSW success throughout that period was a result of being the best fielding team in the country, no matter who was playing, the expectation was high.

Stumpa created the mould for the modern-day cricket coach, without the entourage!

Not an overly technical coach, he wasn’t your typical left elbow high type poring over video analysis.

It was more find what works for you and work hard at it. He had a unique way of getting the best out of individuals, yet making sure it was done with the greater good of the team in mind and always in keeping with a fierce play to win attitude. He had a great and rare knack of wanting you to play for him, even though it was never about him. 

There’s no doubt he had some good cattle to work with, some greats of the game, but winning the Shield, One-Day double in 1992-93 and 1993-94 with essentially a second string team sums his coaching abilities up. 

It was no surprise he went on to become a successful international coach, and no surprise that many who played under him such as Trevor Bayliss went on to do likewise.

I can’t think of a more worthy recipient for induction to the NSW Hall of Fame. 

When all is said and done, you can talk about playing and coaching careers, but my favourite memories are of a great bloke who you could have a beer with no matter what the situation, (even after getting rolled for 60 at the WACA in 1993) a great and positive influence to be around, and the best coach I had the pleasure of playing under.

I look forward to having a beer with the great man to celebrate. 

NSW Sheffield Shield Champions 1993-94

Back Row – Shane Lee, Martin Haywood, Phil Alley, Adrian Tucker, David Freedman, Richard Chee Quee, Rodney Davison, Adam Gilchrist, Brad McNamara, Patrick Farhart, Merv Seres, Mike Whitney

Front Row – Trevor Bayliss, Phil Emery, Gavin Robertson, Steve Rixon, Neil Maxwell

Shane Lee – Former Australian One Day International and NSW Captain

With perspiration pouring from his forehead and a shirt lathered in deodorant and sweat, he walks off the ground, bat in hand and with a face more tanned than Julio Iglesias. One would expect a man with clothes this wet to have just scored 150 in Madras in 40-degree heat. But no, its pre-season at NSW cricket, mid-winter and the man is Steve Stumpa Rixon, the COACH.

Stumpa is the only person I have ever met that could sweat in the shower. A product of his commitment to practice as both a player and a coach. In my opinion, the greatest coach I ever played under. Direct, focused, well planned and a panache for finding key moments in any match and rallying the troops to execute on said opportunity.

I will never forget the day he pulled me aside as a senior player and asked me to room with Rodney ‘Horse’ Davidson’. Horse was a talented left-hander with interesting social skills. Stumpa thought I could bring the best out of him as his new co-habitant and the team would be rewarded as Horse continued to pile on the runs. The combination had immediate success as he started to make runs consistently, the only issue being is I found my new roommate using my toothbrush one morning. “For fuck sake Horse, that’s my toothbrush.” “Sorry mate, I forgot mine,” Horse said.

“Stumpa, I can’t do this mate,” Stumpa replied with his typical laugh followed by a deadpan response. “I'll buy you a new one, we need his runs!”

That evening we had a team dinner. Rodney ‘Horse’ Davidson settled right next to Stumpa at the head of the table with a smile from ear to ear and his clean fangs shining. Those who have dined with Stumpa know he will not start his meal until everyone has received theirs first. I have seen him wait for half an hour on one occasion. Even when asked to start by others, he will refuse. As Murphy’s law would suggest, Stumpa’s meal arrived that night before the rest of the team. He sat patiently and only occasionally looking down lovingly at his 400g ribeye on the bone, chips and pepper sauce. To my amazement, my little left-hander ‘Protege of Etiquette’ Rodney the Horse Davidson started to steal a few chips from Stumpa's plate while waiting for his meal to arrive.

After the third chip was about to be removed, Stumpa picked up his fork and stabbed our opening bat in the back of his hand. “Ouch,” Horse screamed as his hand quickly moved off Stumpa’s plate. “Don’t touch my food” our coach said with sweat starting to bead on his furrowed brow.

Come on Stumpa I’ll buy you some new chips. We need his runs!

Stuart MacGill – Former Australian and NSW Spinner

When I moved from Perth to Sydney in 1995 finding the right club was very important to me. I was already 25 years old and felt like I was running out of time. I needed a heavy workload and plenty of wickets if I had any hope of playing for NSW. To do that I needed as much help as possible to learn the different conditions and Blues playing style. I wanted to fast track my route to regular first-class cricket.

Peter Philpott was helping me out and when I told him what I was looking for he said that there was really only one man for the job – Steve Rixon. Unsurprisingly Stumpa signed me up for Sutherland, but it was a great move. I bowled heaps of overs, and we won the premiership against one of the greatest Bankstown teams to take the field, thanks to our new ball pairing of McGrath and Clark.

When I made my debut for NSW at the beginning of the 1996-97 season, Stumpa was already on his next big adventure, coaching NZ. I have no idea where in the world or what the time difference was, but I received a call from him in the SCG changing rooms before we walked on the field. Time is no obstacle when something or someone is important to him… like when he would hideout in a hotel lobby waiting for me to come in late during a Shield match. 

“Just make sure you bowl well today Macgilla…”

NSW played a very aggressive form of cricket and spin bowlers were always encouraged to attack first, apologise later. Stumpa never let me forget that. The NSW Hall of Fame is filled with players with a similar philosophy, so he fits right in. One major difference to most however is the way that he has shared our approach with the world during his career as a coach.

I was delighted to be present the night of his induction and was not surprised to hear the most positive and constructive words of the night come from him as he reflected on a rare off season for NSW cricket.

We share the same birthday (February 25) and the same love of the game. Personally, I am most grateful for the fact that Steve Rixon helped make my move from the green grass of the WACA to dustier decks of the SCG a successful one. 

Thank you, mate.

Table 25 at the Steve Waugh Medal when Steve Rixon was Inducted into the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame

I think Stuart MacGill’s thank you says it all, congratulations Stumpa.