Penrith's Third Team of the Decade - 1993/94 and 2002/03
Penrith Cricket Club | November 24, 2025
Pictured - 1998/99 Limited Overs Premiers
Trevor Bayliss retained his role as a selector for the third decade team, and why wouldn’t he? Successful First Class and International coach, a World Cup winning coach, First Class player for NSW and one of Penrith’s favourite sons. In an expanded panel, TB was joined by 3 Penrith stalwarts. John Benaud, former NSW captain and Test player and Captain of Penrith’s first ever Premiership team, needs little introduction. Rod Evans and Ron Halse also join the panel, both having had long playing and captaincy careers with the Club. Their successful coaching combination is well known, in addition to their long experience as Independent selectors.
The selectors deliberated long and hard over the final 12; however, most would agree that the team provides great balance. An experienced and talented group, seven players had either played or would go on to play First Class cricket. Only Bayliss, Bower and Thomas survive from the second decade team.
Brought to you by Kingsgrove Sports
The panel opted to follow traditional selection policies in coming up with a ‘balanced’ team that provided strength in all areas. Five specialist batters, a genuine all-rounder, a keeper who was handy with the bat, which then allowed for four more specialist bowlers. Three quicks, two spinners, one from the leg, the other the off. What more could any captain want?
Here they are:
The openers provide a solid left/right combination. Jason Arnberger (2476 runs @ 41.96) could always keep the scoreboard ticking over with his no nonsense style. Jason went on to have a successful First Class career with both NSW and Victoria. The lefty is David (Shaky) Taylor (4415 runs @ 32.46). David more a ‘deflector’ and ‘nudger’, is a good foil for Arnie. Shaky hailed from Dubbo in 95/96. He scored 5 centuries in this period, all in season 1998/99.
Nos 3, 4, 5 would concern most bowling attacks. Trevor Bayliss (3801 runs @ 40.87) is captain and remains the only player to be selected in all three ‘Teams of the Decade’. Rod Bower (2236 runs @ 40.65) hit the ball as hard as any player and Kevin Geyer (4048 runs @ 33.18) completes the trio. All 3 could take games by the scruff of the neck if needed and many a bowler suffered at their hands. Kevin Geyer scored 11 centuries during this period, an incredible achievement considering his first season with the Club was 1997/98 and resulted in NSW selection. Trevor Bayliss five centuries and Rod Bower four complete a total of 20 between them. Paul Maraziotis, who made five centuries during this period and averaged a tick over 36, is the unlucky player to be left out.
No 6 provides a genuine all-rounder in Dale Turner who could win matches with either bat or ball (2665 @ 31.35) and 196 wickets @ 21.62) making his selection a no brainer. DT’s off spinning deliveries had great variation and his fielding, along with Bayliss, Geyer and Taylor gives this team a decided advantage.
The wicket keeping role and No. 7 batter goes to Luke Morrissey. “Morro” ended the decade with strong performances in his initial First Grade seasons, (118 dismissals and 568 runs @ 15.35) just edges out Shane Stanton and Darren Reeves.
The fast bowling combination of Paul Goldsmith (114 wickets @ 31.12), Stuart Karppinen (109 wickets @ 23.79) and Steve Nikitaras (91 wickets @ 22.15) provides great variation. Two right handers (Goldsmith and Karppinen) provide swing and seam that complemented the pace and aggression of Nikitaras.
Paul Thomas backing up from selection in the second decade team was the first spinner picked. ‘Stabba’ improved with age and his 260 wickets @ 22.35 doubled his second decade performance. Ably supported by Dale Turner (196 wickets @ 21.62) these spin twins provided turn from both sides of the wicket and would be arguably, our ‘best ever’ spin combination.
Liam Zammit is 12th man and provides the team with a number of options. An improving leg spinner, Liam’s stats towards the end of the decade are very impressive (102 wickets @ 25.24). A very safe pair of hands and a more than useful lower order batsman. Liam would also go on to represent NSW at First Class level.
So there they are, a beautifully balanced team that could score runs quickly, take wickets no matter what the conditions and the standard of their fielding would have few equals. But how would they go against teams of the previous two decades? Benaud, Hall, Small, Beard and Gavin vs Bayliss, Bower, Geyer and Arnie. Denny, Blizzard and Thomas vs Goldsmith, Karppinen, Nikitaras and Turner.
You be the judge.
