The curious case of Nat Hill
Manly Warringah District Cricket Club | September 07, 2025
There are certain teammates who, when you think of them, simply make you smile - and Nat Hill was undoubtedly one of those. A talented cricketer and an exceptional team player, Nat brought energy, humour, and a genuine love for the game to every Saturday. One of his trademark antics was the now-famous ‘Oh’ play - a moment of light-hearted gamesmanship where he would signal teammates with an “O” above his head, prompting the entire team to bellow “Oh!” the next time a batter shouldered arms. It was a harmless bit of mischief that often-sowed seeds of doubt in opposing batters and gave his teammates a much-needed laugh during long spells in the field.
Nat joined Manly halfway through the 2008/09 season following a distinguished career at Mosman, where he debuted in 5th Grade at just 14 and quickly rose through the ranks to become a regular in their strong First Grade side. In the 2007/08 season, he represented Sydney North in the NSW State League Cup - a short-lived competition designed to bridge the gap between Premier Cricket and First-Class level. Nat performed admirably, scoring two half-centuries in five innings, including one against a bowling attack featuring future internationals Copeland, Christian, Smith, and Hauritz.
Having taken a brief sabbatical at the start of the 2008/09 season, the Manly club - aware he was living locally - wisely stayed in contact in case the desire to play returned. That opportunity came when a place opened in Ben King’s Second Grade side. It was a natural fit, given their shared junior cricket history.
Nat’s debut for Manly didn’t quite go to plan. The night before, he had attended a Channel 10 industry party with a friend in the television business and arrived at the game a touch worse for wear. He was caught behind off the first ball (not given out), then trapped LBW the next (given out) - a golden duck in two deliveries. But he quickly found form, and by the end of the season, he was dominating Second Grade as Manly made a surprise run to the semi-finals.
In the 2009/10 season, Nat started in First Grade and made an immediate impact, scoring 95 in Round 1 against Western Suburbs at Manly Oval. He followed that up with another 91 against Sutherland, then back-to-back centuries against Randwick Petersham and Blacktown. Two centuries and two near-misses in a single First Grade season is the kind of performance that usually attracts state selectors' attention.
He followed it up the next season with another prolific campaign, amassing close to 800 runs and finishing among the top 10 run-scorers in NSW Premier Cricket First Grade. While he didn’t raise the bat for three figures that year, he delivered a standout performance in the First Grade Limited Overs Grand Final against Sydney University top scoring with 75.
Nat was more than just a top-order bat. He was a dynamic fielder and an effective medium pacer. His all-round ability shone brightest during Manly’s victorious 2009/10 First Grade T20 campaign. He led the team in wickets, taking 14 in just six matches at an average of 7.43 and an economy rate of 5.20 - figures that speak for themselves. His subtle changes of pace and clever variations proved too difficult for opposing batters to handle. That title remains Manly’s only T20 premiership, despite the club fielding several Big Bash players in the years since.
Despite his success, Nat gradually found his enthusiasm for the game waning. Early in the 2010/11 season, he made the difficult yet admirable decision to step away rather than risk letting his teammates down by playing without full commitment.
He left the game with an impressive record at Manly: 61 innings, 1,923 runs at an average of 31.52, including two centuries and 12 half-centuries. With the ball, he claimed 28 wickets at an average of 22.
Post-cricket, Nat won a substantial prize on the television game show Minute to Win It, cheered on from the crowd by close friend and Manly teammate Stephen O’Keefe - who seized every opportunity to jump in front of the cameras. Nat then took off to travel through South America, making the occasional cameo for Manly upon his return but never returning full-time to the game.
Nat Hill will always be remembered at Manly not only for his talent, but for his humour, spirit, and the joy he brought to the club.
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