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My best grade team - Greg Bush 1972 to 1996

Greg Bush | August 31, 2025

Over 24 full seasons I was privileged to play with many outstanding cricketers. This team comprises the “best” cricketers in terms of quality/talent. Nine played Test cricket and the other 2 played Shield cricket.

For context I played grade cricket for Mosman from 1972 to 1982, North Sydney 1982 to 1985, Manly Warringah to 1985 to1993 then Petersham 1993 to 1996.

I have chosen a balanced team with a deep batting order, 3 fast bowlers, 2 specialist spinners (off spin and leg spin), and 3 extra bowlers in Bevan, Border and Jeffery.

Some selections were not clear cut especially the last fast bowling position where there were many contenders.

I have taken the liberty of picking a second team many of whom were strongly considered for the first team and who had outstanding first grade cricket careers – see below

Best grade cricket team from players I played with in batting order

1. Rob Jeffery – Mosman

Opening batsman with excellent back foot technique who was a prolific run scorer for Mosman until moving to Tasmania. Handy medium pace and spin bowler.

2. Jim Love – Mosman

English Test player with solid technique- outstanding cover driver

3. Michael Bevan – Manly

Amazing talent with bat and unpredictable spin bowler. Would have been a fixture in Australian Test team in last decade.

4. Allan Border – Mosman

His career speaks for itself. Blossomed at Mosman into a great batsman and always a fantastic all round fieldsman.

5. Peter Toohey – Mosman

Excellent middle order batsman who punished spinners and accumulated runs at will.

6. Graeme Beard – Manly

Very good batsman who then developed his slow medium bowling into an off spinner who reached Test level.

7. David Colley – Mosman

Extremely talented all-rounder. Express swing bowler with deadly bouncer until back injury in 1972 but modified his swing bowling and still good enough to play Shield cricket till late 1970’s. Hard hitting batsman who played some amazing innings for Mosman and NSW.

8. Barry Knight – Mosman and Captain

Brilliant seam bowler who troubled all batsmen. Took 42 wickets at 11 average at age 41 in 1978-79 season. Dangerous middle order batsman especially against spinners.

9. Kevin Wright – Manly

Wicketkeeper batsman who reached Test level. Left handed keeper resulted in him being excellent leg side stumper. Very competent batsman.

10. Paul Jarvis – Manly

Fast bowler who reached Test level for England. Skidded onto batsman with good control of swing and seam.

11. Steve Whitfield – Manly

Tall left arm spin bowler with great control of flight, drift and spin who generated good bounce. Another medium pacer who transformed into top class spinner good enough to play Shield at 39 years.

I have taken the liberty of picking a second team many of whom were strongly considered for the first team and who had outstanding first grade cricket careers. They are some of my favourite players I play with (I feel guilty leaving some out of first team) and also recognises talented players from North Sydney and Petersham who missed selection in my top team:

In batting order

1. Jeremy Bray – Petersham

2. Richard Fry – Manly and Wicket Keeper

3. Graeme Hughes – Petersham and Captain

4. Graham Spring – North Sydney

5. Phil Marks – Manly

6. Graeme Cunningham –Petersham

7. Matt Cassar – Petersham

8. Kerry Mackay – Manly

9. Ro Shelton – North Sydney

10. Sandy Racklyeft - Mosman

11.Wayne Mulherin - Petersham