last year

Tim Ebbeck

Company Director

Central Coast, NSW, Australia

43 Likes
11 Followers

I was still at school when I first met the great Neil Marks.

There was some discussion between my school principal at St Leo's College, the truly inspirational Brother Brian Berg, and Neil about whether I should be playing grade cricket or continuing to focus on school cricket. As much as I felt I let down Brother Berg, I decided to focus on grade cricket with the Club. I had always wanted to represent Northern District Cricket Club based at what was then known as Waitara Park, later known as Mark Taylor Oval.

What an education. I was blessed to have Brian Berg as a school principal and cricket mentor. He was the most brilliant school principal, an Australian Schoolboys selector and manager, rolled a terrific wicket at the school #1 oval himself, took the First X1 away for country trips and had us stay in a local pub and engage with the locals rather than be billeted out, and a wonderful advocate for the Western Suburbs District Cricket Club and the legendary Wally Welham which was challenging! Imagine that sort of leadership from a Christian Brother! But that was the wonderful Brian Berg. Education was about like experiences.

And then to have the privilege of spending so much time with Neil was just more priceless life experience

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/113/tim-ebbeck/blog/1963/neil-marks-rip-old-mate-and-thank-you

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last year

Fairfield Liverpool Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

3 Likes
7 Followers

Fairfield Liverpool Cricket Club Poidevin Gray Premiers 1997-98

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last year

Tom Jones

Cricket Coach

Warrington, England, United Kingdom

8 Likes
3 Followers

Episode 47 of Tom Jones talks junior cricket coaching with Aisha Hussain

Aisha is a PE Teacher in a secondary school brought up in a Moslem S Asian family with supportive parents enabling her to follow her interest in sport. She speaks so passionately about the importance that sport has for everyone whatever your background and race. Inspirational individual.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4EZU6U24Q4RsxUzY6c6Qq0

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last year

John Rogers

Melbourne, Australia

23 Likes
7 Followers

Neil Marks’s “hole-in the-heart” issues back in 1959, was big news in Australia.

That the new "young Bradman" from the previous season - after 7 innings for NSW he was averaging 98 - would be flying to the famed Mayo Clinic in America for an operation, drew a widespread, collective, outpouring of concern - including from me as a kid growing up in the (then) country town of Gosford.

So too did the news that the operation was a success, but that first class cricket for Neil, let alone playing for Australia, was out of the question.

The year before, In early December 1958 in Brisbane, a new-look Australian team was facing off against Ashes' holder England - and. cricket was dominating the air-waves. Australia had a new young captain in Richie Benaud and Australia’s newest sporting superstar Norm O’Neill was making his test debut.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/531/john-rogers/blog/1962/rip-neil-marks-unbowlable

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last year

Cricket NSW

71 Likes
102 Followers

The NSW cricket community is in mourning following the passing yesterday, of former Blues player and NSW Cricket Association Life Member, Neil Marks OAM, aged 85.

Marks made a significant contribution to cricket as a player and administrator, awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to cricket in 2019. He was made a life member of Cricket NSW in 2000.

Neil is the son of the late Alec Marks and, elder brother of Lynn Marks, both of whom played First Class cricket for NSW.

On the field, Marks (NSW cap #510) was a brilliant left-handed batter who made 568 runs from 10 First Class matches during a career cut short by ill health. He averaged 47.33 with bat in hand with a highest score of 180 not out, made on First Class debut

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/154/cricket-nsw/blog/1961/vale-neil-marks-oam-1938-2024

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last year

Roger Hughes

Claremont, Tasmania, Australia

0 Likes
0 Followers

Chris Broadby at Glenorchy Cricket Club in Tasmania Premier Cricket was the best captain I played with along with Peter Mancell at Burnie. Both were really good but in different ways.

Chris had a quiet way of leading but always allowed for individuality from his players. His cricket brain was as good as I have seen and always gave the impression he was in control. The leadership qualities that I appreciated most was his calm strength and his game awareness. There were many examples over the years where he was inspirational, but most were based around saving the team in the lower order with the bat and the hard over bowling that invariably produced a needed wicket.
Although both went about the game very differently both Chris and Peter shared similar captaincy characteristics.

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last year

James Knight

Founder

Canberra, ACT, Australia

17 Likes
8 Followers

The plastic green bowl sits on a ledge just inside the entrance to my mother’s home. Once, many years ago---indeed way back to my childhood---it was used for mixing salad, but nowadays, it holds nothing but golf balls that are in various stages of decay. They are dusty and scuffed, one is split, and another has evolved into a pimpled egg. Certainly not one of them is in good enough condition to grace a tee. However, it’s probable that is where they all spent their finer days before they surrendered to the same fate: plonked in a paddock to pass the seasons with the galvanised burr, prickly pears, and thistles.

My mum (who is closing in on Bradman's average) lives on a piece of dirt on the outskirts of the Australian country town, Gunnedah, in north west New South Wales. Its name comes from the local Indigenous Kamilaroi people. Translated, it is the ‘place of white stones’, a coincidence for an area in which Titlelists, Srixons, and Top Flites can be randomly found well away from the golf course.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/311/james-knight/blog/1958/having-a-ball

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last year

Tamworth Veterans Cricket

Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia

1 Likes
0 Followers

At 71 years of age Grahame Davies from Tamworth in New South uttered 5 words to a Doctor in Sydney, “there goes my cricket career.”

The Doctor, replied “No you’ll be able to play.”

“Bullshit“ said Grahame.

The surgeon put Grahame onto a social worker who in turn introduced him to the President of the Amputee Society. The President was double amputee, a runner, who still ran.

The words from the Doctor and then meeting the President gave Grahame hope and a degree of confidence to create his own Mt Everest.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/936/tamworth-veterans-cricket/blog/927/grahame-davies-climbing-my-mt-everest

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last year

Manly Warringah District Cricket Club

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

33 Likes
20 Followers

Cameron Lawes is this week’s Manly Rentals Waratah in History. A white line fever fast bowler, Cameron was a big part of our club in the late 90’s and early 2000’s until his move up to greener pastures in Newcastle.

The man affectionately known as “Lawson” (Cameron Lawson, pad up) bowled quick and batted strong, and if not for injury could have played a lot higher level cricket.

Cameron had a great passion for our club, and was one of the leaders who helped set the club on its way around the turn of the century.

Take a read through Cameron’s time at the club.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/338/manly-warringah-district-cricket-club/blog/1957/waratahs-in-history-cameron-lawes

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last year

St George Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

53 Likes
54 Followers

St George District Cricket Club Green Shield Premiers 1972-73

Back Row - E Johnson (Hon.Sec.), D.Jones, B.Fitch, G.Wilkin, D.Yates, J.Perferment, C.Luff, B.Booth (President)

Front Row - C.Kirkwood, B.Gordon, G.Tosi, M.Bennett (Captain), M.Sinclair, W.Jarman, B.Corbett, P.Cripps

Inset R.Hudswell (Manager)

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last year

Matt Ellis

Cricket Coach

Dubbo, NSW, Australia

59 Likes
7 Followers

Tatenda Taibu had a meteoric rise in the cricket world, making his First Class debut as a 16-year-old and taking on the Zimbabwean captaincy at just 20 years of age.

In this edition of the Cricket Library Podcast, Tatenda takes us back to the origins of his passion for the game, the influence of Andy Flower, Zimbabwe’s memorable T20 win against a star-studded Australian side, some of his individual achievements, leaving the game to pursue his Christian faith, playing in the IPL and what he is up to now.

We of course make sure we ask him who he would invite to his dream cricket net session.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/182/matt-ellis/blog/1956/tatenda-taibu-keeping-the-faith

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last year

Mosman Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

15 Likes
28 Followers

Photo of the Mosman Cricket Club 3rd Grade team 1986-87

Back Row - Ken Lidden, David Jebb, Dave Pilkington, Shaun Skinner, Dominic Corrigan, Jeff Ewing, Tom Felton (Scorer)
Front Row - Ken Colin, Jason Gallian, Warwick Long, Don Felton (Captain), Richard Jones

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last year

Randwick Petersham Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

40 Likes
43 Followers

Vale Troy Crosland

Troy Crosland, a former 1st Grade captain of the former Petersham-Marrickville club. Troy passed away from meningitis on Wednesday 24 January in Italy, where he had been living for the past 23 years. He was just 52.

Troy joined Petersham-Marrickville in 1995 from the Campbelltown club. He played for five seasons in 1st Grade captaining the side in 1997-98. He also captained the 2nd Grade team in 2000-01, the final year before the merger to become Randwick Petersham. A left-arm orthodox spinning all-rounder, he was also a brilliant fielder, being the leading catcher in four of his five seasons with the club in 1st Grade.

Troy remained a Petersham-Marrickville 1st Grade record-holder at the time of the merger, having put on 76 for the 10th wicket against Mosman in 1998-99 with Andrew Harrison.

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last year

Steve Crews

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

0 Likes
0 Followers

NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Cricket team - 1991

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last year

Splinters - The Bench Podcast Podcast

sydney, Australia

8 Likes
1 Followers

Special Australia Day Live Sport Coverage!

It's finals time in the Cricket NSW Women's Premier Cricket Kingsgrove Sports Centre T20 Cup!

At Midday, it's Northern District Cricket Club taking on Sydney Cricket Club for a place in the Grand Final!

And at 3.30pm, it will be the winner of NDs & Sydney taking on the winner of the St George-Sutherland Women's Cricket Club and Campbelltown Camden Ghosts Cricket Club morning semi final.

Both games will be live on 100.1fm, sports.triplehfm.com.au, iHeartRadio and the TuneIn and Community Radio Plus apps! Plus coverage will be available with vision via the Cricket NSW youtube channel.

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last year

Joe Maiorana

Sydney, Australia

40 Likes
2 Followers

Born in Deniliquin NSW Simon O Donnell was a multi-talented athlete who ended a promising Australian rules football career to focus on his cricket. He played a major role in Australia s resurgence as a dominating side and was a member of their World Cup winning side in 1987.

12 interesting facts about the Australian all-rounder, who like Yuvraj Singh, battled cancer and made a strong comeback to the national side.

1. Born on Australia Day

January 26 is the Australia Day, which is the official national day of the country. The day is of utmost significance to Australians as it marks the anniversary of the arrival of the first fleet of British ships in New South Wales in 1788. O Donnell was born on this day, which was the 175th anniversary. Not a bad day to be born on, it s a national holiday.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/325/joe-maiorana/blog/1955/simon-odonnell-was-born-on-this-day-in-1963

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last year

Alex Patel

Teacher

Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

2 Likes
0 Followers

Why do captains or spinners in the modern game tend to bowl with a deep point.

When I bowling there were many times, I beat the batsman in flight and bounce they were caught at point driving or cutting. I always thought the deep point was setting a field for bad bowling.

Why have things changed?

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last year

Jody Martins

Cricket Coach

Western Cape, South Africa

36 Likes
27 Followers

Over the past fifty years, Dr.Jacques Dallaire has enjoyed the opportunity to work directly with thousands of individuals from the high-performance sports world and beyond including law enforcement, the entertainment world, and the business community.

Dr. Dallaire splits his time delivering sports team, occupational group, and corporate team performance programs and individual one-on-one programs with high-performance competitors.

He is a Founding Member of the International Council of Motorsport Sciences, a Board Member of the Stand 21 ‘Racing Goes Safer’ Foundation, and in 2007 was inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/696/jody-martins/blog/1952/jacques-dallaire-the-cure-for-fear-and-self-doubt

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last year

University of Queensland Cricket Club

Brisbane, Australia

1 Likes
1 Followers

UQ Cricket Club players to face toughest test on tour of India

For University of Queensland Cricket Club (UQCC) batsman Finn Churchward, the memory of Maxwell’s heroics against Afghanistan – and the 106 runs he plundered off just 44 balls against the Netherlands earlier in the tournament – will stay with him forever.

“I know there’s probably a bit of recency bias there, but I won't forget that World Cup in a hurry,” the second-year Bachelor of Mathematics / Bachelor of Sciences student said.

“It was an exciting tournament, and I watched all the games live on my computer. To come out on top in that final against India was amazing.”

Churchward will get a chance to follow in his heroes’ footsteps this year when he joins 14 of his clubmates on a UQCC tour of India – the club’s first international tour in 3 decades.

https://stories.uq.edu.au/contact-magazine/uq-cricket-club-players-to-face-toughest-test-on-tour-of-india/index.html

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last year

Western Suburbs District Cricket Club Sydney

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

69 Likes
93 Followers

Ben Gorham, son of Wests’ legendary Scorer Mal ‘Pencil’ Gorham (First Grade Player #447), is currently celebrating his 200th game for the Magpies in the Fourth Grade two day match versus Penrith at Blick Oval.

Ben started with the black and whites in season 2009-2010 in the Metro Cup and has subsequently appeared in all grades, except Firsts, in his 200 appearances.

An ideal clubman, Gorham has, especially in the early days, played in two games on a weekend: grade on Saturday, backing up in Metro when played on a Sunday.

Ben co-coached Wests Green Shield squads for two seasons and still lends his support to the Club’s juniors both on and off the field. As captain of the very successful 2023-2024 Fourth Grade side (currently placed second,
one point behind Manly), Ben has the opportunity to guide the fortunes of his young proteges on field.

To see him lead the group in the club song after a Magpie victory is a sight to behold! During his 200 game career, Ben has scored 3,341 runs at an average of 20.25, accumulating 14 scores of 50 plus, with a highest tally of 94. As well, he has taken 206 wickets, at the economical average of 22.44. On top, he has taken 83 career catches.

The good news is that Ben Gorham, a young man who exemplifies the Magpie Mantra (“Better People Through Cricket”), shows no sign of slowing up and it would be a just reward for him to captain the Fourth Grade to a premiership.

Ben Gorham pictured with good friend and former Western Suburbs District Cricket Club player and President David O'Neil

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