Stories

last year

Bruce Francis

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

3 Likes
1 Followers

Tony Greig’s first game for Waverley in season 1975-76: Waverley 33 and 86. St George 1-36 and 0-24.

Second game; tame draw

Third game versus Gordon, was one of the best games I have played in.

Greig won the toss and chose to bowl

Gordon were 8 for 18 and then fast bowler Barry Thompson hit four sixes. Gordon all out for 52. Greig 7 for 38.

The team insisted Greig bat at number six so he could bat on a dry wicket the following week.

End of first over Greig not out nought having faced one ball. Waverley four wickets for one run. Len Richardson (NSW & QLD opener) 0; Ron Crippen (NSW opener & number 3) 0; Greg Besomo 0; Bruce Francis 0. Barry Thompson four wickets for one run.

Stumps Waverley chasing 52 were 8 for 48 with Dennis Hourn and Dick Rowland the not out batsmen with David Hourn to follow.

Following week: Waverley dismissed for 60.

Gordon second innings 125. David Hourn 7 for 54.

Waverley 6 for 121 won outright. Greig 63 and Mick Beningfield 23 not out.

Waverley 10 points and running second in competition

Every over felt like I imagine the last over of a twenty/20 match would feel.

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last year

Les Eastaway

Taree, New South Wales, Australia

1 Likes
0 Followers

A Catch and a Handshake

It is well documented in Manning cricket and the St George District Cricket Club about the career of Jon Jobson.

His ability as a junior in the Manning caught the eye of judges further afield. A talent scout from Saints sounded out Jon and his family about his cricketing future in the early 1970s.

However, we shall step back in time a decade or so.

The NSW Sheffield Shield team was heading north to play Queensland in a Shield encounter. A stopover game in Taree was planned against a Manning/Mid Coast XII. It was October, 1962.

Among a galaxy of state stars, the team included Brian Booth and Warren Saunders, St George clubmen. To add further appeal to the match, the Shield side included Johnny Martin, a local Manning champion.

One member of the Manning side was Andy Jobson, Jon’s dad.

Warren and Brian peppered the local attack to the tune of 89 and 97 respectively, Brian Booth eventually falling to a catch by none other than Andy Jobson.

This interlude in play may have fallen innocently on young Jon, in the crowd at less than seven years of age.
The catch was Part 1 of the intervening connection of fate.

The talent scout from St George to meet and discuss Jon’s future with his family happened to be Brian Booth several years later.

The family handshake to join Saints became Part 2 of an engrossing and fateful turn of events.

Jon’s time during a fine career took effect under the guidance of both Warren and Brian, years earlier as opponents of Dad Andy.

Jon’s roles in his new club included that of a fine batsman, 1st Grade Premiership Captain, Club President, CEO, and Life Member and St George CC Hall of Fame.

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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

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

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

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

Steve Crews

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

0 Likes
0 Followers

NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Cricket team - 1991

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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

Sutherland District Cricket Club

Sylvania, Australia

28 Likes
22 Followers

Sutherland District Cricket Club team of the first 50 years

6 March 2015 at the Sutherland District Cricket Club 50th Anniversary dinner Sutherland DCC announced their “Team of the first 50 years.”

From left to right:
Mark Chapman, Steve Smith, Phil Jaques, Steve Rixon, Stuart Clark, Tony Clark, John Dyson, Lisa Griffith (Ted Cottons daughter), Kristen Davidson (Norm O'Neills daughter), Rodney Davison
Absent: Andrew Hilditch, Glenn McGrath

The Sutherland team in batting order announced:
1. John Dyson
2. Andrew Hilditch
3. Norm O’Neill
4. Phil Jaques
5. Steven Smith
6. Rod Davison
7. Steve Rixon – wicket keeper
8. Ted Cotton
9. Mark Chapman
10. Stuart Clark
11. Glenn McGrath
Tony Clark (12th man).

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last year

Ballina Bears Cricket Club

Ballina, New South Wales, Australia

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0 Followers

On Saturday 29 January 2022 Ben Carruthers played his final game for the Bears.

Ben has been an influential figure at the Ballina Bears for 20 years. He started as a junior and worked his way up to the top grade and hasn’t looked back since. He has scored 100’s, taken 5-fa’s, and taken two hat tricks during this time with us. Ben has been one of the most talented players to have ever played at our club.

Ben finished with 5,500 grade runs and 150 plus wickets. He played some match-winning innings one, and took some of the most incredible catches you’ll se.

As a parting gift, Ben was awarded his Life Membership at the Bears for all the work he has done throughout his time. He will also walk away at the leading run scorer in Bears history.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/925/ballina-bears-cricket-club/blog/895/ben-carruthers-play-straight

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last year

John Rogers

Melbourne, Australia

23 Likes
7 Followers

An epic final - St George v Cumberland at Sydney Cricket Ground 1965-66

Doug Walters aged 19 will play his last game for two years – his birthdate has meant conscription into the Army on National Service – and no amount of lobbying will get the new superstar of world cricket out of it.

He is in cracking form. He’s had a season every cricketer dreams about. It’s not just his two debut test centuries – he’s rung up another four for NSW – plus two in Sydney Grade – including one against St George where Cumberland had by far the best of drawn one-dayer.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/531/john-rogers/blog/655/an-epic-final-st-george-v-cumberland-at-sydney-cricket-ground-1965-66

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last year

Dubbo District Cricket Association

Dubbo, NSW, Australia

2 Likes
0 Followers

Photo of the Dubbo Rugby Cricket Club 1979-80 Whitney Cup Premiers

In the first innings of the final against Dubbo CYMS, Dubbo Rugby were bowled out for 134 with Greg O’Connor top scoring with 66.

In replay former NSW Schoolboys swing bowler John Watts cut a swathe through CYMS batting taking 7 for 24 off 23 overs to bowl CYMS out for 113.

Dubbo Rugby won the Whitney Cup by 21 runs.

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last year

Paul Ryan

Founder

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

502 Likes
513 Followers

John Dunk is a well-known and highly respected member of the cricket and business community across the regional and rural communities of New South Wales.

He’s a farmer, Insurance broker and continues to have a lifelong love of cricket. He’s travelled to just about every corner of NSW to play the game and played grade cricket in Sydney for Western Suburbs.

John made his debut for Western Suburbs in 4th grade during the 1969-70 season. It didn’t take long for John to impress when he took 8 for 44 in a game and for the two seasons 1969-70 and 1970-71 John played at Wests he played in 4th grade, 3rd Grade, and 2nd grade. He scored 349 runs and took 57 wickets at an incredible average of 10.09.

John opened the bowling in the Poidevin Gray Under 21 competition with Western Suburbs first grade opening bowler Gary Gilmour who went on to play first class cricket for NSW and Test Cricket for Australia.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/32/paul-ryan/blog/1950/john-dunk-have-fun-and-play-to-your-ability

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last year

Shane Lee

Founder

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

39 Likes
10 Followers

“It is better to remain silent and appear a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

Wise words from Sir Winston Churchill and advice I probably should have given to my Mosman team mate Nick Grover.

Sledging comes in many formats, from abusive over the top vulgar tirades to subtle creative thought provoking strategies. Whatever the flavour, when you open your mouth on the sporting field you need to be able to back it up. In saying that, it is the stories of sledging that gave me the greatest humour on the cricket field.

I first met Nick Grover when I made the trip down the M4 from Campbelltown Cricket Club to the Mosman Cricket Club. Nick was this brash private school kid with a panache to ‘knuckle' at every chance

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/538/shane-lee/blog/1948/whats-an-arm-ball-shane

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last year

Shane Lee

Founder

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

39 Likes
10 Followers

NSW Colts cricket team v QLD Colts - November 1992 at Hurstville Oval

Left to Right - Matt Whitby, Jeremy Bray, Shane Lee, Paul Wilson, Adam Gilchrist, Paul McLean, Heath Muller, Scott Thompson, Anthony McQuire, Darren Quint, Jason Arnberger

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last year

Paul Ryan

Founder

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

502 Likes
513 Followers

Phil Gould played 103 NRL games for Penrith, Newtown, Canterbury Bulldogs and South Sydney. He coached Canterbury Bankstown, Penrith and Sydney Roosters winning premierships at both the Bulldogs and the Panthers.

He coached the NSW State of Origin team to 5 series wins over Queensland. 24 games as the Blues coach, winning 15 games.

Phil is a long time media commentator with Nine Entertainment and continues to be a powerful influence and inspiration across the game he loves.

He is also a passionate cricket fan

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/32/paul-ryan/blog/380/phil-gould-quotdoug-walters-was-my-favouritequot

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