| Questions and Answers

3 years ago

Greg Briggs

Gosford, NSW, Australia

31 Likes
1 Followers

Gosford Cricket Club is having a 40-year reunion for its 1983-84 First Grade Premiership winning team at the Elanora Hotel on the 16 March 2024.

We’re excited to confirm, as at today, all the eleven players will be in attendance.

Being a Gosford junior, I was lucky to be part of the previous year’s win as well in 1982/83 so to go back-to-back was a great thing for someone like me who started playing with the club at a young age as many of us did.

For myself, it happened only by chance.

In the 1982-83 season I was playing for Bankstown and a midweek training mishap during the season put me out with injury for 6 to 8 weeks. My spot in the first-grade team was taken by a young 17-year-old by the name of S.R. Waugh.

On returning from injury Bankstown couldn’t guarantee my spot in 1st Grade as the side was doing well so Gosford approached me to finish the season with them.

Whether that was right or wrong I don’t know but I got a clearance from the Bankstown and finished the season with Gosford where we beat Wyong in the Final of the Central Coast Competition.

In the winter of 1983, I was planning to play the 1983-84 season in Sydney when I received a phone call from a Gosford Life Member and well-known businessman offering what at that time was quite a large monetary offer to stay and play for Gosford.

After the shock and a week of thinking about it I accepted the offer, and we were fortunate to win the Central Coast Competition again that season.

As a kid growing up and as I said ‘a Club Junior’ so to play for Gosford on the hallowed turf of Grahame Park and win a couple of first grade premierships brings back some great memories.

For the club to have to merge after 108-year history is very sad but the memories will never fade.

Cheers
Greg Briggs.

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3 years ago

Joe Maiorana

Sydney, Australia

40 Likes
2 Followers

Trevor Barsby nicknamed "Tank" is a former Australian first-class cricketer who played for Queensland.

Trevor was an aggressive batsman, usually opening and often with Matthew Hayden

He is one of a select group of players to have appeared in 100 Sheffield Shield games for Queensland.

This milestone was reached in his last game, the 1996/97 Shield Final. Queensland won the game and their second Sheffield Shield trophy.

Barsby had played a large part in their inaugural championship win two seasons prior with an innings of 151 in the final against South Australia.

Trevor has been recognised for his contribution to QLD cricket with the Trevor Barsby Oval located at Deagon, Brisbane named in his honour.

He was the QLD Bulls coach from 2008 until 2010. His daughter Jemma Barsby plays for Queensland Fire and Brisbane Heat.

Trevor John Barsby was born on this day in 1964.

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3 years ago

Cricket NSW

71 Likes
102 Followers

Week 15 – ‘The Opening Spell’

First ball – Back with a BANG!

St George’s Blake Macdonald struck 182 runs from just 128 deliveries against a host UNSW bowling attack at David Phillips South. Macdonald registered 14 sixes to reach his 10th and highest first-grade ton, and propel the Saints to 10-0 for the season.

Gordon 1’s skipper, Tym Crawford, made it FOUR centuries in his last FIVE innings with 164 runs (121 balls) against Sydney University at Chatswood Oval. Crawford, who has 892 runs at an average of 59.46, leads the top division of Men’s NSW Premier Cricket in runs-scored throughout the 23-24 campaign.

https://www.cricketnsw.com.au/news/3858671/week-15-the-opening-spell

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3 years ago

South Australia Cricket Association

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

2 Likes
2 Followers

SACA's annual Test Match Dinner was extra special this season, with the unveiling of South Australia's All Time Best Teams, both Men and Women, in front of the 300-strong crowd.

The teams were selected by SACA Members and showcased titans of South Australian cricket, with players selected from all eras of SACA's 152-year history.

Twelve players were named in each team, with the players present at the dinner on Saturday speaking in front of the crowd about their fond memories of being involved in South Australian cricket.

https://www.saca.com.au/news/3854336/south-australias-all-time-best-teams-unveiled

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3 years ago

Jody Martins

Cricket Coach

Western Cape, South Africa

36 Likes
27 Followers

There Is No Blue Book. Every Athlete is Unique.

Johan Vorster is a professional cricket coach who is the Head Coach of Cricket World Academy. He has played and coached in South Africa and Australia, bringing a unique insight into the differences between SA and AUS and what high performance is. Driven by his high standards he produces skilled cricketers capable of performing under pressure.

Johan is based in North West Province and coaches cricketers from all around the world.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/696/jody-martins/blog/1916/johan-vorster-there-is-no-blue-book-every-player-is-unique

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3 years ago

Ken Piesse

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

8 Likes
0 Followers

Their fame was fleeting and their stories compelling. Seventy of Australia’s Test cricketers appeared only once. Their journeys will entertain, enlighten and delight – and have been beautifully told by Australian cricket’s master storyteller Ken Piesse.

One of the debutants hitch-hiked to the ground, another broke down on match-eve.. but still played...

So gripped by nerves was one that he could hardly feel the ball in his hand. Another was plucked from Twenty-two of Ballarat into an MCG Test the very same week. Ken Meuleman’s sole Test ended in eight hours. Dr Bert Hartkopf was a luckier. His Test went for seven days. He made 80, yet still was dropped.

Fifteen Minutes of Fame, Australia’s 70- One Test Wonders, a 284 page hardback, is available now, for $60 including post or $10 as an e-book.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/572/ken-piesse/blog/1044/fifteen-minutes-of-fame-australias-70-one-test-wonders-by-ken-piesse

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3 years ago

Brad Haddin

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

0 Likes
0 Followers

In July of 1999, Phil Emery announced his retirement from first-class cricket. His were big shoes to fill; he was second on the all-time list of most games played for the Blues, and held the record for most dismissals, with 332 catches and 46 stumpings. I wanted more than anything to have a chance to make that kind of contribution, but I wasn’t the only keeper in contention. Craig Glassock was still part of the squad and the name of another Second XI player, Nigel Taylor was also bandied about. Coach Steve Small was keeping his options open until the start of the season got closer. There was only one thing for me to do, and it wasn’t sitting and fretting, it was working even harder than ever. I knew the selectors would be scrutinising every aspect of my game and of my attitude and I was going to make sure they knew that I was up for the challenge.

The hard work paid off: when the team was announced at the start of the season I was named as keeper for both one-dayers and the Sheffield Shield. It was an incredibly proud moment for me and my whole family. But it was an opening, an opportunity, not a crowning achievement. I was in the hot seat and I wouldn’t stay there long if I didn’t perform

Click to buy -
https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9781460752494/my-familys-keeper
/

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3 years ago

Brad Bannister

Teacher

Corrowong, NSW, Australia

32 Likes
3 Followers

My best grade team - Brad Bannister 1989 to 2011

This was a tough task and actually got tougher the longer I thought about it. I had the pleasure of playing with some wonderful players in grade teams over many years.

I played for Lambton New Lambton, Wallsend and Belmont in Newcastle First Grade and Gold Coast Dolphins in Queensland Premier Cricket

I would have loved to have played in this team - My Best Grade Team from 1989 – 2011

1. Glen Grimmond - Lambton New Lambton, now West Newcastle

Got better the older he got. Amazing off the back foot and took on the short ball with vigour and power. Quiet and unassuming but had a very good game.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/209/brad-bannister/blog/496/my-best-grade-team-brad-bannister-1989-to-2011

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3 years ago

Manly Warringah Cricket Association

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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0 Followers

Please enjoy Part 3 of a look back at the 100 years of the Manly Warringah Cricket Association with a sneak peek from the yet to be titled book by Stephen Shepherd.

SEASON 61: 1980/81

THE MWCA WINS ITS MAIDEN TELEGRAPH SHIELD AS MANLY LEAGUES PRODUCE WINDIES STYLE BOWLING ATTACK

[ALSO KNOWN AS FATTY VAUTIN AND JOHNNY GIBBS PLAY FOR BALGOWLAH BEAVERS]

After several near misses over the decades the MWCA finally broken through for its first ever premiership in the Daily Telegraph Shield (U23) competition:

“It was a great team effort under the management of Fred Rosa and captaincy of Chris McCelleland”

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1159/manly-warringah-cricket-association/blog/1915/celebrating-the-centenary-of-the-mwca-part-3-season-198081

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3 years ago

Dirk Wellham

Brisbane, Australia

6 Likes
1 Followers

As a captain, I believe the following themes can help build a successful team.

• Everyone must think and be sharp to contribute to planning and decisions.
• Anyone can come up with a great idea that can be implemented.
• The captain must lead by performance, particularly when it's darkest – lead the team to a positive outcome. If you are not out, chasing a total, don't leave it to someone else.
• Physically work hard on the skills (especially fielding, Steve Rixon was a terrific example).
• Read the opposition batsmen - if they are tentative, attack and crowd them. If they are aggressive, catching positions are deeper, often. Read how the batsman is likely to want to play your bowler.
• You must be able to bowl the opposition out. Tactically, find a way, don’t give up.
For example, on flat slow Hobart decks, Dave Gilbert's third slip would move to third man because that was the easy shot. Rod Tucker would bowl one ball each over or so, wide down legside, hoping for a cheap catch.
• For every problem, the team and the captain have to provide at least one solution, if not move to plans B and C.
• Team success is everything - egos need massaging, but not at the expense of the team's success. Play that very tough. “I was nasty but only when we needed to be”.
• Establish in the minds of the players why their team is special, historic, deserving, belonging to a bigger cultural picture. Really, what is the team trying to achieve, and for what reasons?

I hope the information is helpful, best of luck to all

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3 years ago

Cricket NSW

71 Likes
102 Followers

NSW Under 17 Cricket team 1993-94

Back Row – Paul Sutherland, Adam Elbourne, Mark Bailey, David Langford-Smith, Jamie Heath, Nathan Bracken, Noel Spencer, Nathan Pilon, Graeme Rummans

Front Row – Allen Turrell (Assistant Manager), Matthew Bradley, David Carson (Vice-Captain), Todd Campbell (Captain), Graham Errington (Coach), Kurt Thessman, Rocky Harris (Manager)

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3 years ago

Mark Van Epen

Gosford, NSW, Australia

15 Likes
0 Followers

Mark Van Epen – my best captain

The best captain I played under was Keith Stimson at Balmain.

He was captain of the 3rd grade team at around 50 years of age. He played many years of first grade as a successful left hand bat and captained the 1st grade team for a number of seasons leading them to the 1st grade premiership in 1967/68. His oozed experience on the field and in the dressing shed.

He was always calm and read the game well, knowing when to attack, when to defend and when to try something different. He had the respect of the players through example and knew how to get the best out of his players.

Keith’s two best leadership qualities were reading the situation of the game and man management.

One specific example of his leadership was in a game against Uni of NSW in which we had 6 overs to get 55 runs to win outright. I wasn’t confident we could do it, but Keith was always positive and looking for a way to win.

I was an opening batsman and Keith batted 6. Keith said, “Mark you and I are opening, and we are going to get these runs”. After 5 and half overs we got the runs at 0-56, I was 5 not out and Keith was 51 not out.

Keith was a life member of the Balmain District Cricket Club and the new Sydney Cricket Club. He passed away in 2018, aged 92.

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3 years ago

St George Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

56 Likes
54 Followers

As a 19 year-old already pinpointed as a future rugby league great, Reg Gasnier made his first grade cricket debut in October 1958 batting No 5 and scoring 59 against Waverley.

An outstanding junior cricketer as well as rugby league player, Gasnier debuted as one of the replacements for NSW players O’Neill, Booth, Watson and Saunders. He played only one other match.

Within a year of his cricket debut, Reg’s football career had gone from second grade at the St George Dragons all the way to the Test side and a starting role in the 1959 tour of Great Britain.

“Puff and Magic Dragon”, as he was known, was forced to abandon his very promising cricket career, but is remembered with fondness at the St George club

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3 years ago

Tony Goodfellow

Ballina, New South Wales, Australia

5 Likes
0 Followers

The 1930-31, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Cricket Association final in Canberra was a match of epic proportions, far greater than any timeless Test match.

The scenario appeared simple. To find a winner, the match had to be played to a finish, meaning the completion of four innings by the two combatants, Ainslie and Northbourne.

The first days play was scheduled to commence on Saturday, March 21, 1931, however, due to heavy rain late in the week, the match did not start till the following Saturday, March 28.

In what was described as excellent conditions, Ainslie on winning the toss and batting first, through some very cautious play, had reached four for 155 when around 5-30pm an appeal against the light was upheld by the umpires and stumps were drawn.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/212/tony-goodfellow/blog/1914/is-this-the-most-bizarre-premiership-decider-in-history

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3 years ago

Manly Warringah Cricket Association

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

0 Likes
0 Followers

Please enjoy Part 2 of a look back at the 100 years of the Manly Warringah Cricket Association with a sneak peek from the yet to be titled book by Stephen Shepherd. A fascinating look back in our history that we hope to continue over the the next few weeks. Enjoy!

SEASON 15: 1935/36

THAT'S QUEENSCLIFF. QUEENSCLIFF WITHOUT AN “E”

Clifton Leake had provided stability as President since 1930/31 but had to welcome his fourth Secretary in five years when H.Moulton retired in favour of R.A Baker on March 4, 1936.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1159/manly-warringah-cricket-association/blog/1913/celebrating-the-centenary-of-the-mwca-part-2-season-193536

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3 years ago

Mark Patterson

Sydney, Australia

14 Likes
3 Followers

My best Grade team - Mark Patterson 1984 -2004

Someone mentioned to me this would be fun, it was.

I was fortunate to play with some great players and people during my time at Waverley now known as Easts Cricket Club in Sydney.

Here’s my best combined team I played with at the peak of their powers from the Waverley/Easts Cricket Club era from 1984-2004 when we won the 1990/91 and 2003/04 First Grade premierships. It was a privilege to lead the team in 2003/04.

In batting order:

1. Paul Prichard – Captain

2. Jimmy Marshall

3. Greg Geise

4. Darren Kingdon

5. Brad Haddin – Wicket Keeper

6. Greg Matthews

7. Kyle Thompson

8. Malcolm Marshall

9. Adrian Tucker

10. Anthony Stuart

11. David Hourn

12th man – Jeff Cook

Scorer – Owen Ridge

Manager – Mick O’Çonnell

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3 years ago

Country Cricket NSW

Newcastle, NSW, Australia

8 Likes
41 Followers

NSW Country have surged to the U17 Male National Championships title in Ballarat, overcoming a strong Western Australian outfit by 6 wickets in the grand final.

This is the first time in history that a NSW Country side has claimed a National Championships title, having previously won titles as a combined ACT/NSW Country unit.

First-drop batter, Lachlan Williams, was named Player of the Final after amassing 70 runs in a winning run-chase.

https://www.cricketnsw.com.au/news/3854366/nsw-country-claim-historic-u17-national-championships-title

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3 years ago

NSW Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association

Sydney, Australia

10 Likes
24 Followers

The opening days of 2024 saw some of Australia’s best regional cricketers converge on Newcastle for the Toyota Australian Country Championships – with 15 NSWCUSA members involved as match officials.

Seven umpires officiated across both the men’s and women’s divisions of the tournament, with a majority being NSWCUSA members.

The umpire panel that oversaw the men’s competition featured Country Panel members Dave Cullen, Graeme Glazebrook, Murray Le Lievre, Phil Rainger; NSW Premier Cricket umpire Rod Porter; Western Australian-based NSWCUSA member Gary Crombie.

The women’s competition panel included regionally-based umpires Lauren McGill and Kate Rowlands, NSW Premier Cricket umpires Katie Collins, Sue Gregory, Leone Mizzi and Elizabeth O’Dwyer.

https://nswcusa.cricketnsw.com.au/nswcusa-strongly-represented-at-australian-country-championships
/

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3 years ago

Cricket Victoria

Melbourne, Australia

3 Likes
3 Followers

Victoria Under 19 cricket team 1983-84

Back Row - George Murray (Manager), John Neylon, Brendan Ricci, Darren Foley, Denis Hickey, John Wilson, Paul Burns, Bob Bitmead (Coach)

Front Row - John Blennerhasset, Andrew Grant, Michael Dimmatina, Grant Jordan (Captain), David Thomas, Warren Ayres, Leigh Watts

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3 years ago

Country Cricket NSW

Newcastle, NSW, Australia

8 Likes
41 Followers

An exciting last day of the Bradman Cup saw the competition winner determined by bonus points. Newcastle and Nth Coastal both secured bonus point wins which saw Nth Coastal emerge triumphant with a late innings surge in their victory over Southern Districts. This sees North Coastal take on the winner of the A W Green Shield competition winner in February to be played in Sydney.
There were some amazing performances at well - Blake Cattle (Greater Illawarra) with an unbeaten 123, Jackson Taylor (Greater Illawarra) 5-10 both against Central Coast and Cooper Townsend with 70 and Cooper Pullen with 50 for Western against Central Northern.
Round 7 match summary
Greater Illawarra 3/254 (B Cattle 123no, S Harwood 61) defeated Central Coast 149 (R Sharma 30, K Smith 25, C McKee 23., J Taylor 5-10, L Kay 2-27) with 1 bonus point
Western 3/160 (C Townsend 70no, C Pullen 50no, T Long 2-42) defeated Central Northern 157 (S Davis 35, K Botha 30, S Holz 26, F Macleod 3-34, H Griffith 2-26, B Burke 2-32) with 1 bonus point
Newcastle 5-113 (L Vincent 45, A Berry 38, B Gain 2-14) defeated Riverina 110 (J Cameron 29, N Westcott 2-14, T McInnes 2-14) with 1 bonus point
Final Ladder: North Coastal 33, Newcastle 32, Greater Illawarra 25, Central Northern 19 (0.413), Riverina 19 (-0.253), Western 13, Central Coast 12, Southern Districts 0
North Coastal 7/161 (D Craig 35, T Gilbert 34no, B Felton 28, Q Cooper 23, P Bruckshaw 2-18, J Cosgrove 2-34) defeated Southern Districts 9/159 (M Millar 21no, I Roxburgh 21, R Weir 2-23, L Barnes 2-25, J Dawes 2-32)

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