Mark C. “Ninja’ Ward – The Wholehearted Tryer
Parramatta District Cricket Club | November 30, 2025
Mark Ward set a wonderful example of determination and perseverance to all ‘would-be’ grade cricketers. He tried out for Parramatta for four seasons before he finally ‘cracked it’ and went onto record a glowing career with the club on the playing fields, in coaching, and in administration over a prolonged period of years. His commitment to Parramatta was recognised when he was awarded the honour of Life Membership in 2011.
Hailing from the Hills Barbarians club Mark started out in 5th grade in 1987/88 and drew stumps in 2012/13, with 379 wickets @ 21.18, 3,399 runs @ 15.66 (H.S. 104) and 89 catches (1 x century, 8 x half-centuries and 11x 5 wicket hauls) locked nicely into his kit bag. He took a break from grade cricket between 1989/90 and 1991/92 to overcome a back injury.
Always a competitor, for most of his career fast bowling was his passion, but like a lot of ‘quicks’ the stresses placed upon his light-frame by this robust activity, over many seasons took its toll, and in the latter part of his career he concentrated on middle-order batting and trundling down some part-time off-spinners.
Relatively short and slight for a paceman, he bowled right-arm at a bustling pace and with good accuracy, seaming the ball sharply ‘both ways’ off the track. Mark was always a fitness guru, and this attribute enabled him to bowl long spells in all prevailing conditions, and with ‘ball in hand’ he had a never-give-up attitude and toiled away persistently at the opposing batsmen.
This attribute was well illustrated in an extract from 2nd grade captain Jeff Walker’s comments in the 1999/00 Annual Report – “Always believing the team can win when things aren’t going too well. He showed this against Northern Districts when they were 2/208 at Tea chasing 332. After Tea Wardy went out and demolished the opposition by taking 7 wickets to win the match”.
Mark had a taste of 1st grade in 1997/98 and 1988/89 but couldn’t win a permanent spot in the team due to the strength of the team’s regular new ball attack, his top-grade stats read 11 wickets @ 24.09.
But it was his exploits in 2nd and 3rd grade and his commitment to training that made him a well-respected cricketer within the Parramatta club.
In 2nd grade he developed into the team’s new ball spearhead and reaped the rewards of 159 wickets @ 25.28 – his best seasons being 1997/98 with 31 wickets @ 20.39 and 1999/00 31 @ 23.94. Mark’s most memorial individual spells in 2nd grade were 7/21 v. Balmain in 1998/99 and 7/65 v. Northern District in 1999/00.
Whilst he proved lethal in 3rd grade in claiming 138 wickets @ 15.18. In 2001/02 he produced a career best of 8/39 v. North Sydney after finishing his opening spell with 0/22. His most memorial performance occurred in 2002/03 when he grabbed 44 wickets @ 14.11 (best – 7/60 v. Campbelltown, 7/56 v. UNSW, 6/53 & 5/43 v. Easts) and this performance won him the club’s top award the ‘Bill Anderson Memorial Trophy’- Cricketer of the Year Award.
After that season injuries basically curtailed his pace bowling career, and he turned towards middle-order batting and captaincy, highlighted by his steering of a very young and inexperienced 5th grade team to the Premiership in 2004/05. Mark’s other captaincy stints were 3rd grade (2003/04 and 2005/06) and 4th grade (2006/07 to 2009/10). He had a frustrating time chasing the elusive century, getting agonisingly close in 5th grade (2004/05) being stranded on 99 not out, and falling for 97 in 4th grade (2006/07); but in 2012/13 he ‘finally nailed it’ compiling 104 v. Wests – and had his best season with the bat making 402 runs @ 28.71.
A rare-breed for a modern-day player Mark was a dedicated clubman off the field – serving extended terms as a Club Selector and as key part of the club’s Coaching team (qualifying as a Level 2 coach), holding the post of the club’s Deputy President (2007 -10) and being a member of the Management Committee from 2002/03 to 2012/13.
Parramatta District Cricket Club – NSW Premier Cricket 5th Grade Premiers – 2004/05
Back Row: Ben Embelton, Daniel Jackson, Phil Stefanish, Aaron Govorko, James Parkinson, Nathan Taylor.
Middle Row: Mark Frei, Qais Shamal
Front Row: Nav Chetty, Stephen Kentwell, Mark Ward (Captain), Rafee Hakim, Stuart McKinley.
By Tom Wood – Parramatta District Cricket Club Historian
