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2 years ago



Steve "Worm" Sullivan - The Debut

A memorable occasion in any cricketer’s career is his 1st Grade debut. In a recent discussion with Randwick Petersham Cricket historian Lyall Gardner, former Petersham-Marrickville player Steve Sullivan, was asked for a few details about his 1st Grade debut. Steve, or “Worm” as he is affectionately known, had been a very successful lower-grade player and was 23 at the time.

The match was the last day’s play of the 1982-83 season. Both Petersham-Marrickville and Randwick were defeated in the 1st Grade semi-final and in accordance with the rules at that time, were to play-off for third place in a one-day match at Coogee Oval. Graeme “Heaps” Hughes couldn’t play so it was decided it was time for Steve Sullivan to make his 1s Grade debut under the astute captaincy of Brian “Riles” Riley.

In his own words, here’s how Steve recalled his experience:

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2 years ago



Playing cricket with Imran Khan, the great Pakistan all-rounder was one of the highlights of my cricket career.
Imran had been recruited by New South Wales to play Shield cricket during the 1984/85 season. He was a star, on and off the field.
He had an immediate impact on the bowlers as reverse swing was a novelty in Australia. He had them mesmerised, swinging the ball in a way they'd only ever dreamed about.
Imran’s arrival coincided with my most rewarding season and we were both fortunate to play in one of the greatest Sheffield Shield finals. NSW v Queensland.
The QLD team was led by Allan Border and included 6 other test players. Kepler Wessels, Greg Ritchie, Trevor Hohns, Carl Rackemann and Jeff Thomson. Robbie Kerr played Test cricket the following season.
The Blues had 9 Test players and a 19-year-old Steve Waugh.
Skippered by Dirk Wellham, the other 8 test players were John Dyson, Steve Smith, Greg Matthews, Imran, Steve Rixon, Murray Bennett, Bob Holland, and David Gilbert.
It was the third season where the shield final was played over 5 days.
QLD scored 374 off 170 overs. Hohns 104, Border 64, Phillips 53 and Imran took 4 wickets.
We scored 318 off 121. Steve Smith top-scored with 76 and Steve Waugh 71. Jeff Thomson and John Maguire each got 3 wickets.
Qld had a lead of 56 on the first innings.
Imran then on a flat SCG wicket took the game by the scruff of its neck. He picked up Kerr, Courtice, Phillips, Border and Maguire with remarkable figures of 5 for 34 of 19 overs. He was supported by Muz Bennett with 4 for 32 off 20 overs.
QLD out for 163 and NSW needed 219 to win the Shield.
We were 3 for 59 when I entered the fray. Soon to be 5 for 100 and Imran with 18 and Steve Waugh 21 we found ourselves 7 for 173, still 46 runs behind.
It was willing in the middle, some might say, nasty. I’d had a massive verbal altercation with Kepler Wessels. Today, the match referee would have been busy.
Muz Bennett came and went. 8 for 175.
QLD opted not to take the new ball. It was only me, Dutchy Holland and David Gilbert between then and their first shield win.
Carl Rackemann bowled frighteningly quick and Dutchy displayed incredible bravery to score 10. 9 for 209. We’d put on 34.
10 to win and it was a great relief when David Gilbert hit a straight drive for 4.
We’d won and I was thrilled to play a part in such a game with 83 not out,
After 5 days of tough cricket and the Shield trophy, it was party time and where else but Imran penthouse.

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2 years ago



A View of Australia From Fine Leg

The light bulb moment occurred at 2.00am on Day 2 of the Second Test of the 2019 Ashes Series. Staying up to the wee hours watching the pulsating cricket on offer, I realised how much I missed the game and came up with an idea…

Ten games for ten different clubs across Australia during the 2019/20 season. I climbed into bed at the end of play (3.00am local time) and tapped Mrs D on the shoulder to tell her my brilliant idea. Not particularly thrilled at being woken at such an hour, she simply replied, ‘You’re having a mid-life-crisis, go to sleep.’

Looking back, I think it was just my way of clinging onto that boyish dream of playing cricket - the thrill of hitting one in the middle; the adulation of ten teammates slapping you on the back after taking a wicket; a cold beer in the sheds after taking 2/72 off 28 overs, figures that can only excite an off-spinner.

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2 years ago



The cap: Serviceman's Cricket Club, Gunnedah, back in the 1980's - we won a few premierships, but that's irrelevant.

This cap is a biography of time and place.

Of droughts and wash-outs. Of Dennis and Brian rushing off to the TAB at tea to place a few bets. Of utes parked nose-in to the boundary. Of cigarette packets to mark out run-ups. Of sex education lessons while listening to the banter in the weatherboard dressing rooms. Of playing a few players short coz harvest was on. Of the old fellas who weren't that old and us young fellas who were too young to know better. Of wearing my first pair of spikes, and marking centre in 'em for the very first time.

Of Mick and Wicksy and Old Tom and others giving their time to be umpires. Of drawing picket fences in the scorebook. Of thinking the longer the run-up, the faster they were. Of looking in awe at another Brian who had a bit of a finger missing, but still took blinders in slips. Of dreaming of big scores. Of seeing a duck next to my name in the local rag.

And, among many other priceless moments, the day Sam my skipper told me in no uncertain manner: "'F-off, the game's not about you, it's about the team."

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2 years ago



Michael Rees - runs and mateship

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey? Where you’ve played, clubs you’ve played and greatest sporting achievement.

I started when I was around 10 or 11 just to be with mates on the weekend for Wingham CC, played with them all through juniors and backed up in the afternoon for seniors as well. Representative cricket was on Sundays so it was cricket all weekend and I really enjoyed it growing up.

I played my first 1st grade game around 13 or 14 and I’ve been lucky enough to do a few tours to NZ with some northern NSW teams and Emu Teams which was great fun.

Playing a season in England when I was 18 was amazing. I’d say the England season would be one of my biggest achievements, 988 runs in 14 games and 30 wickets as well as my first double hundred.

Two others include getting five wickets and a hundred in the same one day game and scoring 143 for Western Suburbs in the Maitland first grade grand final to help the boys to their first win in some time.

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2 years ago



St George “in between balls” with Damian Bourke

We take the opportunity to catch up with some of our esteemed former first grade legends to find out more about them and their time with The Saints.

In this “in between balls” we feature Damian Bourke who midway through the 2015-16 seasons had scored an amazing 528 runs in 1st Grade and had only been dismissed once. Yes that’s right he was averaging 528 in First Grade

Greatest St George influence?

I have two. As a younger player Gary Crowfoot because he motivated everyone and instilled in me and the club a strong work ethic. Second would be Gavan Twining. In my later years, he was a mentor, sounding board and always gave me confidence in my abilities.

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2 years ago



Michael Flahive played most of his cricket in the South East Cricket Association competition with Highett West Cricket Club where he is a life member.

For 5 seasons he’s been playing in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association competition with Carrum Downs Cricket club.

Who has been your funniest teammate?

Josh Rowe. He was an ice hockey goalkeeper for Australia. Was the toughest and funniest bloke I’ve known. Not sure the humour was intentional, but geez we got a good laugh from him. Had his teeth knocked out from a dirty full toss while he was at short leg. Refused to go to hospital.

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2 years ago



Another fascinating Ashes series which again emphasises the importance and relevance of the five Test series. Australia retained the Ashes despite playing the lesser cricket overall.

England won more of the scheduled 75 sessions. They were the aggressors to Australia’s scrambled defenders. England deserved three Test victories and threw away a fourth when they blew clear chances at Edgbaston.

Stokes was far and away the more superior captain: Cummins heroic but flustered, bereft of options, ideas or comeback. His best contributions were glib comments at press conferences.

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2 years ago



UQCC players have the distinction of most runs, most wickets and most dismissals for Queensland (Martin Love, Michael Kasprowicz and Wade Seccombe respectively). In this edition of Uni Bookworms we hear from Chuck Seccombe, one of legendary wicketkeepers that Uni have produced!

Your first memory of UQCC?

Turning up to my very first training session and before I got out of the car I could hear WEP barking directions at the nets!

Your best Uni cricket memory?

Hard to nominate just one. Probably the end of season trips to Byron are up there along with the celebrations that followed our first grade win back in 92–93.

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