My Best Grade team - Ross Wallace 1971 to 1984

Ross Wallace | July 20, 2023

I was lucky enough to play First Grade cricket in Brisbane from 1971 to 1984. During this time I played with Sandgate, Valleys & Souths as well as having 2 seasons with the Colts set up under Brian Gaskell.

I have selected my “Grade Cricket Best 11” from all clubs not just the ones I played with, so I hope I have not upset anyone & more importantly I hope I have not missed a player I have forgot about. Obviously not having “My Cricket” in those days made the memory work a bit harder.

1. Sam Trimble (Souths) - Captain

Great opening bat for club & Queensland. Real guts player & a great bloke to talk to. The holder of many records & a pleasure to play with.

2. Ian Seib (Souths)

Solid opening bat for Souths & Queensland, not a devastating as Sam but steady as a rock. Handy having the state opening bats in your club side.

3. Greg Chappell (Souths)

Pretty handy number 3 at Club level. Great player obviously but always had a word of encouragement for a young player.

4. Keith Zeibell (Valleys)

Very good bat from Toowoomba. Keith showed his class at Valleys time & time again. A great bloke, typical country.

5. Phil Carlson (Norths)

Quality all-rounder from Norths. Another who played for Queensland mainly as a bat but was a quality all-rounder. Never had the pleasure to play with him but a tough player to play against.

6. Graham Watson (Souths)

Came up from Sydney for a few seasons with Souths. Class act who played for Australia but still, at club level, would encourage the young players.

7. John Mac Clean (Souths)

Great wicket keeper & bat at Souths, Queensland & Australia. You always knew if you found an edge you didn’t have to worry about it being caught.

8. Malcolm Frankie (Valleys)

Good leg spinner. Fanatical about his training, preparation & execution of his skills. Maybe too much on occasions.

9. Geoff Dymock (Norths)

Like Keith Zeibell, Geoff came from the country & was a great left arm quick. Played many games for Queensland & Australia. Only ever played against Geoff but a quality cricketer.

10. Carl Rackerman (QCA Colts)

Big, tall & quick. He was relatively new on the scene when I finished but you could see he was going to be a class player & was.

11. Col Cooke (Valleys)

Steady right arm quick from Valleys who always had to have the wind (when I was lucky to open the bowling with him).

I hope I have not missed anyone, if so I apologize, but relying on an old memory is not easy.