Michael Hall - hard work creates opportunity
Asquith Rugby League Cricket Club | June 07, 2023
Michael Hall - grounds to grounds
I would probably look at myself as the average cricketer who has spent time around the Grounds and with different people in different Sports.
I was never going to play at the highest levels but was always going to be as competitive as possible and give my all no matter what.
If anything I was very wary of putting this together as I’m just a regular bloke who absolutely loves his sport and the fact I have made many friends whilst playing is an absolute bonus.
Michael Hall batting for Asquith in Grand Final
What year you were born?
1967
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I started playing my cricket with Epping District Cricket Club at the age of 9 and really cannot remember how I faired although I do recall getting a pair of golden ducks in one game that year which had me wondering why I was spending my Saturday mornings standing on a cricket field.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
My journey really started travelling the grounds watching my Dad who was a very good cricketer. He played with Auburn Shires, Cumberland and Petersham Marrickville in Grade Cricket and finished at Epping playing Shires. I would spend my afternoons watching the cricket and listening to the chat both on the field and in the dressing rooms. After the games when they went to the club I was generally left in the back room with a plate of sausage rolls and a soft drink to keep me quiet.
In terms of playing I started at Epping DCC in juniors and progressed into Epping Shires from the age of 14.
I played Green Shield at Balmain and then went and played at Northern Districts for 3 seasons (1988 onwards) which included Poidevin Gray before having a season at Balmain.
Travelled back to Shires for a few years before having a break.
I was then conned out of retirement after a couple of years and agreed to play some local cricket with Asquith Rugby League in the HKHDCA and 14 years later I’m still playing with them. As a club we were lucky enough to win 7 A Grade Premierships in a row which was a fantastic feat.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade/ shires cricket?
I had just turned 16 from what I recall when I played my 1st game of A Grade Shires. Unfortunately the change of batsmen was due to our opening batsmen being felled by a bouncer at Epping Oval and I took guard in my 1st game looking at the blood from his forehead on the side of the wicket. And yes the 1st ball I faced was a bouncer!
I was 18 when I started at ND’s and started in 4’s making my way through to 3’s and then 2’s the year after for a couple of seasons. Chances of playing 1st Grade were grim when you had the likes of Randall Green, Ross Turner, Neill Howlett, Brad Patterson, Neil Maxwell, and Peter Taylor and on the rare occasions Mark Taylor in front of you in the 1st Grade batting lineup.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
In the early days I was an allrounder until I ended up with bulging discs in my back which stopped the bowling through my grade career. Over the last 10 Years it has swapped around the other way where I bowl more than I bat which may have something to do with the ageing eyes.
What were your strengths as a player?
I’d like to think I’ve been known to steady the ship whether bowling or batting. I was never going to blast a big score all around the park or beat a batsmen with my pace, but learnt how to make the batsmen play and not provide too much rubbish and then work hard on building partnerships with the bat in hand.
Michael Hall bowling for Asquith in the Grand Final
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
I scored a few centuries in Shires, lower grades in Grade Cricket and with Asquith but when you look back over the days it is more about what you could or should have scored if you applied yourself. I look back on a couple of years playing 2’s at ND’s where I scored several 80’s where I got myself out due to not being patient which still annoys me.
I remember playing my 1st game of 2nd Grade at Waitara Oval against Penrith and scoring 85 and being caught on the boundary when we were cruising. At the time I thought I’d done ok until our skipper Jack Moran gave me the look on the way off. It wasn’t until he gave me that look did I realise that I had just thrown away an opportunity, and one that he would have taken with both hands and converted.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
As mentioned I didn’t bowl a lot in grade cricket with my back so have done most of my bowling at Asquith in A Grade where I was lucky to snare several 6 wicket hauls and snuck in a hat trick 3 years ago which was exciting. I think the young guys just want to belt the old guy out of the park which certainly helps if you continue to bowl at thew stumps.
Who were the best fast bowlers you have played against?
Richard Tregeagle at Burwood Briars - was quick, smooth and always at you.
Jim Wilson at Parramatta – just quick and scary the day we played him at Old Kings. I think he may have come back from 1st Grade and had a point to prove. Looking at how far the keeper was back you knew you were in for a challenge.
Paul Steptoe at St George - had made the Shield side and turned up at a Poidevin Gray game on a wet wicket to open the bowling against us. I remember Michael Goeke who was at ND’s at the time batting beautifully against him that day – aggressive and fearless!!
Dave Harvey at Auburn Shires – scary, aggressive and could bowl really well. At 16 I wasn’t entering into any banter with him!
Who were the best two spinners you have played against?
Greg McLay – batted against Greg in the nets a few times and was just simply so skilful with the ball. Turned them more than what I was use too.
Anthony Kershler – was lucky enough to play all my junior cricket with Kersh at Epping and watch him mature as a spinner and make his way through the Grades. I remember him and I playing a B Grade Shires Grand Final when we were both about 15 and him taking what I think was 7 for not many and you knew he had good times ahead. After many years playing with him I played against him at Old Kings and he had me caught behind after trying my hardest not to give him my wicket. I scored a few and he took my wicket so good all round.
Anthony Kershler
Who were the best batsman you’ve played against?
Gary Baldwin – Wentworthville at the time scored two double tons against us at Epping and I don’t think he gave chances. The 1st one at Monty Bennett became dangerous when he started hitting them on the Great Western Hwy.
Bart Pozuelo – Burwood Briars and Petersham. Just a beautiful stroke player and fantastic to watch. Made every inning look easy with so much time.
Greg Hayne – Played against Greg at Drummoyne Oval in one of his first 2nd Grade games for Balmain where he scored 115 not out. He hit the ball so sweetly and you could see he was going to score many more of them.
Craig Haworth – Just awesome to watch with a fantastic technique and temperament.
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always you to cause you a few problems?
Gerard Price at Burwood Briars. The late great Gerard’s areas were always spot on and if you weren’t comfortable with the fact he was continually spot on you then had to work with the fact he could swing and cut the ball both ways. Very lucky to have played against Gerard many times
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in grade cricket and you really had to knuckle down to survive?
Yep, still gives me nightmares.
Turned up at Waitara to play against Fairfield Liverpool in 2nd Grade and there is Ronnie Davis who I think had just recently won the fastest bowling contest during one of the Tests at the SCG. He bounced me and bounced me and was urged on by his teammates with one ball knocking the bat down to my feet.
I picked it up and he was standing in front of me laughing like some monster on a horror show. It wasa great challenge and happy to say I got through his 1st spell with the batsmen at the runners end in no hurry to swap.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I have played with many great keepers, but I have to say that in my later life of cricket the following guys are the 3 that come to mind. At 50 or over their hands standing up to the stumps and reflexes with stumpings are just amazing. Scott Atkinson, Todd O’Keefe and Paul Ryan have all shown that if the body is willing you never lose the touch.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
I’m lucky enough to have played a few years with Gary Bensley at Epping after he finished his grade career. Gary’s batting, bowling, fielding and captaincy were second to none. His competitiveness was there to see and whenever a game was on the line he could always make that difference. I also learnt that dropping a catch of Gary’s bowling wasn’t a good thing, especially if he was driving you home after cricket.
Jack Moran who was my 2nd Grade Captain at ND’s was a relatively quiet character but taught me to never give my wicket away cheaply and to think about your shot selection. By looking at him you knew whether you had done well or not – he didn’t need to say anything. Watching him work hard in the tough times with the bat created the respect he had from his team.
Gary Bensley
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
I have played with many good leaders in both grade and shires Cricket but I must make mention of a guy by the name of Stephen Loccissano who captained Asquith to the 7 A Grade Premierships in a row.
He never played grade or shires cricket. Just loved being part of the local club. He wasn’t the most talented batsmen or bowler but when it came to getting the best out of teammates whether young or old he found it and still does. Tactically a very good captain and amazing clubman.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
I’d have to say playing in the same team as Grant Nati and Micheal Goeke at ND’s was an experience, sometimes funny, sometimes interesting and sometimes scary!!
They egged each other on and neither of them needed any encouragement!
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
At Asquith we had a very talented opening bowler in Ben Folkard. Ben was quick and could do whatever he wanted with the ball. He was also very confident, angry and aggressive if you played against him.
We were playing in a semi-final and Ben bounced the opening bat who had previously cleared the fence with another half tracker. This time it went straight up in the air for Ben to take a caught and bowled, and in between that happening he decided to give the batsmen a send off by pointing to the dressing room before he caught the ball.
Yep he dropped it and the silence across the field told the story – never to be forgotten!!
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
Not the most embarrassing dismissal but I do remember playing Under 14 Moore Shield one day and went into bat just as you could hear the Mr Whippy van in the background. I was caught behind early and remember getting the pads off and wondering how long I should wait before asking dad whether I could have an ice cream. I gained the courage to ask and the look said it all – I knew what he was thinking and let it be. I still remember that look and do wonder whether I could have survived that nick if I hadn’t heard that noise.
Who was your childhood hero?
Had to be Allan Border, as a left hand bat who did the hard yards through the period with so much change. Gritty, hard-nosed captain that didn’t give anything away.
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
It was always Richie Benaud – I really struggle to be captured by most commentators these days.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Waitara Oval has always been my favourite, especially when playing as a batsmen. In saying that, over the last couple of years we had the chance to play several games on the Main Oval in Orange Wade Park in the State and National Over 50’s Championships which was fantastic.
Tough to beat Manly Oval on a hot Saturday afternoon as well
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Burwood at Rothwell Park – were always very competitive and a great bunch of guys to play against and have a beer with after the game. The battles and results tended to swap throughout the late eighties and early 90’s.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Winning the A Grade / 1st Grade Premiership with my father playing for Epping against Holroyd at Monty Bennett Oval, pretty special times. He was obviously satisfied as he burned his cricket clothes after the game and that was it.
On a separate note I remember a time playing maybe Under 12’s for Epping where Kersh was bowling and his dad Brian umpiring from the same end. Kersh bowled and preceded to hit the batsmen on the pads and within seconds Brian was up and appealing for the LBW as the umpire. It was very funny and yes the unlucky batsmen was given out.
You’re now playing over 50s cricket, what the best part of playing veterans cricket and what advice would you offer anyone over 50 who is thinking about playing again?
Easily the best part is forming that camaraderie again with guys you had played with or against in the past, and on the same note playing with guys you haven’t played with or against in the past. The cricket is still great, the body is continually challenged and like the old days we can sit around and chat about it all after the game.
Port Jackson Over 50s NSW Championships
NSW Blues Over 50s
What are your hobbies?
Football – Played since I was 6 years old and still going.
I have coached football for many years and for the last 10 Years have been the President of Hornsby Heights Sports Club with entails Football, Cricket and Netball. The Club has nearly doubled in size over the last 6 Years which is fantastic.
Watching my kids even though they are older now play sport is also very enjoyable.
Red Wine – Spend far too much time studying it and drinking it.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
The more hard work you do the more opportunities you will receive.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Still Playing at Asquith captaining B Grade and helping the young guys make the change from junior cricket to senior cricket which is very rewarding.
Asquith Premiers
Michael with Asquith team mates
