Andrew Calvert – A Batsman on The Rise
Parramatta District Cricket Club | September 01, 2025
Andrew Calvert, the sturdily built and powerful stroke-making young Parramatta Left handed top-order batsman took centre stage at the NSW Cricket Central Oval in the 2024/25 Belvidere Cup Grand Final. He structured a superb innings of real class that underpinned the Parramatta club’s securing of its third premiership title since 2017/18 – his brilliant 161 (1 x6s, 23 x4s) was compiled in 346 balls and was a treat to watch, it was a realisation of the rich potential he possesses and should put him on the radar for higher honours.
It also earned him the prestigious Benaud Medal – man of the match in the First Grade Grand Final.
Another junior from the Kings Langley Club Andrew first entered the P.D.C.C. ranks in the time-honoured way via A.W. Green Shield competition in 2016/17.
He made his Premier Cricket debut in 2017/18 and played solidly under the leadership of his father Paul.
The 2018/19 season saw Andrew take ‘a firm step forward’, opening the batting in Third Grade he produced an impressive 455 runs @ 32.50 – including his initial grade cricket century, a bright 111 v. Campbelltown – this was the fifth highest aggregate in the 3rd grade competition – he also snared 8 wickets (B.B. – 4/24) with his parttime off-spin bowling. The season was topped off with a couple of Second Grade games (45 runs @ 45.00 (H.S. – 32).
Andrew consolidated a spot in Second Grade in 2019/20 and further enhanced his prospects as an opener of promise by making 451 runs @ 34.69 (H.S. – 100* v. Hawkesbury). He backed this up with another solid effort in 2nd grade in 2020/21and after mustering 358 runs @ 29.83 he debuted in First Grade.
The next significant point in his career was the 2022/23 season when a strong patch of form in Second Grade – 240 runs @ 60.00 (H.S. – 92) - projected him back into First Grade to partner Ryan Hacney at the head of the innings. Solid form enabled Andrew to play through the rest of the season and be a member of Parramatta’s Belvidere Cup winning team.
After unluckily commencing the 2023/24 season in Second Grade he quickly won promotion back into First Grade and then went from ‘strength to strength’, as his confidence grew, he produced several eye-catching performances loaded with thumping front foot drives and fierce pull shots. Two stylish centuries (107* v. Wests, and 103* v. North Sydney) bore definitive evidence of his undoubted ability, as did his 560 runs @ 46.67 - in all 2023/24 he recorded 676 runs (1st – 560, 2nd – 116).
The first of the above centuries saw him join his father Paul as the third such combination to have scored a century in First Grade for the Parramatta Club (the others Tom and Michael Wood, John and Will Affleck).
Andrew Calvert is definitely a batsman on the rise and in 2024/25 his wonderful 161 in the Belvidere Cup Grand Final and a brilliant 97 (84 balls) v. Randwick-Petersham in the First Grade Limited Overs G.F. proved that he is not overawed by the big occasion. In coming seasons, if he can match his ability with consistent outputs of runs Andrew may well find himself in a NSW Baggy Blue Cap.
Awards:
- 2018/19 Cumberland Medal (Players- Players Award).
- Member of 2020/21 Poidevin-Gray Shield Premiers team.
- First Grade Premiership Ring – 2022/23.
- First Grade Premiership Ring – 2024/25.
By Tom Wood – Parramatta District Cricket Club Historian
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