Throwback: Trevor Bayliss, Paul Thomas and Rod Evans call time
Penrith Cricket Club | November 26, 2025
The 1999/2000 season saw the retirement of three of the best, Trevor Bayliss, Paul Thomas and Rod Evans. Two, however would return at a later date and one would go onto contribute to the world of cricket but not with his bat.
Paul Thomas
At the time Paul Thomas retired his career had spanned 21 seasons. From 1988/89 to 1999/00 he played First Grade. He was at the time Penrith’s most successful bowler with 377 First Grade wickets, twice topping the Sydney Grade Cricket Competition with 52 wickets in 94/95 and 56 wickets in 96/97.
The consummate club man, Paul would be seen at all club social events with his wife Marianne by his side. They were even known to organise quite a few as well. In 2002 Paul was convinced by President Ron Halse to return to captain Third Grade to the Club’s first ever Third Grade Premiership. A fitting reward and an achievement he is justly proud of.
Rod Evans
As John Benaud wrote in his tribute to Rodney Evans upon the announcement of what was to be his short lived retirement – “Scorch; One of the very best”. His appearance defines the ultimate cricketer. Everything crisp, clean and nothing out
of place – not even his hair. He was the ultimate clubman who gave generously of his time and his support to Penrith Cricket. He could be relied upon to house homeless cricketers and overseas visitors.
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Scorch’s dedication to the development of junior cricketers saw him assist Ron Halse coaching at Springwood Cricket Club with a team of boys, the nucleus of which would become the first ever Penrith winning AW Green Shield team and Poidevin-Gray Premiers in 2001. Many of these players he would captain in lower grade sides mentoring them on their way to First Grade. He would also hold the positions of Metropolitan West
Coach of the NSW “Emerging Blues” and Penrith junior cricket development organiser. Rod would not be lost to cricket as his involvement with step son Dan Christian would see him turn up at University of NSW matches on a regular basis. As Dan moved interstate at the beginning of what would be a stellar international career, Rodney made his way home to Penrith where he would continue to serve the Club until his retirement as independent selector in 2022.
Trevor Bayliss
After 19 seasons Trevor Bayliss announced his retirement. He arrived from Goulburn in 1981 aged 18 to a job at the Department of Navy organised by Bill Ball and accommodation at the Ball family home at Emu Plains. Helen Ball would later be able to claim responsibility for the marriage of Trevor to Julie in 1985 as she had encouraged a young workmate Julie Porter to come to Howell Oval one Saturday afternoon in 1982.
Trevor was graded in First Grade for the opening match of the 1981/82 season and played both first and Second Grade that year. In his second season, the year First Grade won the Club’s second premiership; TB scored 526 runs @ 32.28 including his maiden First Grade century – 120 against Sydney University. Trevor upon retirement had amassed 8555 career runs at 42.78 including 19 centuries and a double century. As a change bowler he took 43 wickets at 38.49 including a hat trick against Hawkesbury. In 1983/84 he captained the Poidevin-Gray side to a Premiership undefeated.
TB was made First Grade captain in 1988/89. He captained the team to Semi-finals in 1995/96 and 1996/97 and a Limited Overs Premiership in 1998/99. Playing his first game for NSW in 1985/86 commencing with a tour of Zimbabwe, he would go on to play on 58 occasions scoring 3060 runs @ 35.58 including 5 centuries with a top score of 163. His best season was in 1989-90 when he scored 992 runs at 55.11. His haul included two centuries and six fifties and he was voted the State Players' Player of the Year. He captained the Blues in a match against Queensland
in 1990-91 and played in the NSW Sheffield Shield winning teams in 1989/90 and 1992/93 and three winning Limited Overs teams in 1987/88, 1991/92 and 1992/93.
Trevor Bayliss assisted at the gate by son Adam who would make his First Grade debut in 2019.
