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2 years ago
Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan
Founder
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
503 Likes
513 Followers



Shane Duff - Rugby League, Cricket and Horse Racing

Growing up it was Rugby League in the winter and Cricket in the summer. For a talented halfback, wicket keeper/batsman Shane Duff was creating the opportunities many aspire to.

In the early part of the cricket season in 1990 and at the age of 18 he made his first-grade debut for Sutherland Cricket Club team when their regular keeper Evan Atkins suffered a broken arm. His first dismissal was one to remember as it was an edge from another wicket/batsman, a young Adam Gilchrist playing for Gordon Cricket Club.

Just before Christmas, an opportunity presented itself and Shane had a decision to make. After only a handful of first-grade cricket games, Shane decided to put his keeping gloves back in his kit bag as he’d been signed by the famous St George Rugby League Club. Pre-season training beckoned.

Brian Smith had just signed with St George as coach and Shane simply thought, “I’ve got to give this a go.”

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/32/paul-ryan/blog/1200/shane-duff-rugby-league-cricket-and-horse-racing
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2 years ago
Kangarucci Cricket
Kangarucci Cricket
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
3 Likes
4 Followers



Cricket Australia accredits the ball that can save community cricket millions

Kangarucci Cricket, the recently launched cricket ball company, has achieved Cricket Australia's accreditation in the Senior Synthetic class with their Club Syntho 4-piece ball. As of the 19th June 2023, Kangarucci Cricket is the only Company with a C.A. accreditation as all others have either lapsed, or not passed the grueling and thorough testing regime.

The Club Syntho ball range has not only met the highest standards in the country but can save community cricket millions of dollars each season. Kangarucci Cricket was established with the single purpose of supporting community cricket associations and clubs by providing a new choice without compromise. With a clear belief that clubs should have a choice of what balls they can use, rather than the very limited options that is the case for most clubs.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1062/kangarucci-cricket/blog/1199/cricket-australia-accredits-the-ball-that-can-save-community-cricket-millions
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2 years ago
Adrian Tucker
Adrian Tucker
Business Development Manager
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
5 Likes
0 Followers



In November 1988, 12 souls who braved the inaugural year of the AIS/ACB Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy gathered in Brisbane to mark the 30-year anniversary of what was, for us, and incredible year.

As part of two days of reminiscing we visited the current Centre of Excellence, based in Brisbane. The programmes and facilities for today’s athletes are light years ahead of that experienced by the original 15 of us back in 1988.

The current facility is incredible – lap pool, hot pool, cold pool, recovery room/MASH Unit, nets with pitches designed to replicate different conditions and a state-of-the-art gymnasium – I could go on. My overarching thought when touring the facilities was that they definitely would have helped me become a better athlete, but not necessarily a better cricketer.

Since 1988 there have been 389 athletes move through a programme that has morphed in every way imaginable. We were a squad of 15 who were farmed out to local Adelaide Grade Clubs, this moved to a squad of 24 where they essentially toured and played each other, and the current thinking is that more concentrated groups of elite talent in shorter bursts of high intensity training

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/528/adrian-tucker/blog/1191/so-thatrsquos-what-30-years-feels-like
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2 years ago
Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club
Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club
Melbourne, Australia
4 Likes
2 Followers



Luke Walker joins CV 200 Club - by Simon Draycott, November 2014

With Luke Walker approaching the 200 game milestone in both Premier Cricket and the AFL, he took time to look back in this interview for the FPCC website.

While most people prepared for the 2014 AFL grand final at the local bottle shop, goal umpire Luke Walker was going through his usual routine in anticipation for his 5th consecutive grand final.

"You try to keep the day as normal as possible; you try to get to the game at the same time, wake up at the same time and go through your normal routine."

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/405/frankston-peninsula-cricket-club/blog/1190/luke-walker-joins-cv-200-club-november-2014
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2 years ago
Randwick Petersham Cricket Club
Randwick Petersham Cricket Club
Sydney, Australia
40 Likes
43 Followers



Petersham-Marrickville A W Green Shield Premiers 1971-72

Back Row - Brian Hughes (Hon Secretary), Ross Palmer, David Sharpe, Robert Jones, Chris Storey, Steve Ghidini, Steve Brennan, Bill Anderson (Manager)
Front Row - Jack Ross (President), Michael Shaw, Malcolm Goulstone, Graeme Hughes (Captain), Mark Wilmott, Paul Davison, Alf Debnam (Hon Treasure)

Premiership glory! A W Green under 16 team takes the 1971-72 title
In a season where four of the eight rounds were rain affected, the Graeme Hughes-led team managed to win five matches and draw three to go through the A W Green Shield competition undefeated and win the premiership. Wins were recorded over Sutherland, Randwick, Cumberland and Waverley with the defeat of North Sydney in the Grand Final clinching the trophy. Matches against Bankstown, Western Suburbs and St George were all drawn due to wet conditions.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/258/randwick-petersham-cricket-club/blog/1189/petersham-marrickville-a-w-green-shield-premiers-1971-72
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2 years ago
Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan
Founder
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
503 Likes
513 Followers



Chris Titley was a wicket keeper batsman who made his debut for Western Suburbs in 3rd grade in 1998/99 as a 17 year old.

He made a valuable contribution to the club on and off the field and always played the game with good humour.

"Unfortunately I didn’t make Wests 1st grade. I was robbed by 2 blokes who I’ve never spoken too since and intend never to speak to. Cameron McLeod and Anthony Cavanough. I believe Cam was adviser to Rowelly (Greg Rowell) in his Lord Mayor bid at the time so that figures. Cav robbed me of many representative teams along the way as well. "

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/32/paul-ryan/blog/1188/chris-titley-its-about-the-journey
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2 years ago
Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan
Founder
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
503 Likes
513 Followers



An opportunity has become available for a fast bowler or bowling allrounder who’d like to play some cricket in Scotland leading into the 2023-24 cricket season.
The current professional at Greenock Cricket club in Scotland has sadly suffered a season-ending injury and the club is looking for a new professional as soon as possible.
The club is prepared to cover the costs of return airfares, accommodation and pay 120 pounds a week.
Greenock understands the needs of players to be back in Australian late August or early September to prepare for their own season ahead.
If you’re interested, please send an email to hello@cricconnect.com

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2 years ago
Cricket NSW
Cricket NSW
71 Likes
102 Followers



Cricket NSW Chair John Knox has paid tribute to departing director Neil Maxwell after Maxwell indicated he would step down from his position on the CNSW board at the end of the month.

Born in Fiji, Maxwell has been a lifelong contributor to cricket, firstly as a player and then as a marketer, player manager, volunteer, administrator and cricket parent.

He was awarded NSW Blues cap number 647 in 1993 and was part of the Blues squad that won the Sheffield Shield and the domestic One-Day Cup in the 1993/94 summer.

He has been a director of CNSW for the past five years, playing a leading role in reinforcing the connection of past players with today’s game, driving a state-wide focus on participation with a particular focus on 5-12yr-olds, and encouraging CNSW’s partnership with Major League Cricket in the USA and the Washington Freedom franchise.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/154/cricket-nsw/blog/1187/cricket-nsw-thanks-neil-maxwell
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2 years ago
Ken Shelston
Ken Shelston
Business Advisor
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
3 Likes
1 Followers



Shelston's Magpies - My Best Grade team 1974 - 1988

I have enjoyed reading of the teams selected by other correspondents.

So, here is my stab at the best Grade Cricket team from the players I played with during my playing days.

To paint my picture, I only ever played for Western Suburbs in the Sydney Grade competition between 1974 and 1988.

While I was just an average grade cricketer and played through all the grades, I was fortunate to play a few seasons of First Grade alongside some fairly useful players.

So, I think my team would give most of the others mentioned here a fair run for their money.

This is my best Grade team from the players I played with

1. Mark Spicer – Powerful Opener Represented NSW at U/19’s, I still hold the first wicket club record for Third Grade with Spice he gave it away far too young.

2. Scott Hookey – A character…but exciting player when on.

3. Dirk Wellham (c) – played with Dirk from U10s in the park through to Grade. Making runs was habitually easy for him.

4. Brad McNamara – Shared a 50 plus run partnership with Brad on his First-Grade debut.

5. Greg Matthews – Greg will do me for spin and batting 5.

6. Greg Douglas – Explosive talent – would be a BBL sensation these days.

7. Greg Dyer – would make it as a batsman but here as the keeper, another I played junior cricket with.

8. Graham Bush – ACT leggie, impossible to leave out of any team when a drink is on.

9. Phil Kelleard – Trojan for the Pies for many many seasons RIP

10. Dave Gilbert – Came to Wests at the end of my time impossible to leave out

11. John Coyle – After a great career with Petersham Coylie played a couple of seasons with me in 2nds. Dangerous on his day.

12th man – Mike Swan – superb slipper and outfielder

Team Scorer – Mal Gorham – “pencil” say no more RIP er

Team Manager – Eric Francis – a great clubman who looked after Seconds for many years.

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2 years ago
Chris Sabburg
Chris Sabburg
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
2 Likes
0 Followers



My Best Grade team - Chris Sabburg 2008 to 2020

I debuted in Brisbane First Grade Cricket in 2008/2009. I have played with many, many talented grade cricketers and also Queensland and Australian players. I was extremely lucky to play in a golden era for Toombul District Cricket Club from 2008/09-2014/15 where we played many semi and grand finals and winning a couple premierships in two day and white ball cricket. I then moved clubs for a change of scenery after losing the love for the game a bit. I moved across town to Western Suburbs District Cricket Club, where I had family. I had three very successful and happy years at Wests from 2015/16-2017/18 winning a two day premiership in 16/17.

In 2018 I drove over to Perth to chance my hand for a last crack for higher honours and I am currently playing for the University of Western Australia Cricket Club.

Selection Criteria – players selected have played less than 25 First Class, List A and T20 games.

So my team in batting order:

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1059/chris-sabburg/blog/1186/my-best-grade-team-chris-sabburg-2008-to-2020
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2 years ago
Western Suburbs District Cricket Club Sydney
Western Suburbs District Cricket Club Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
69 Likes
93 Followers



Dirk Wellham made his first grade debut for Western Suburbs on 1 March 1975 against the old Sydney Cricket Club at the age of 16. He is the very proud owner of Western Suburbs first grade playing number 454.

Dirk is part of a very select club in having scored a century on his first class debut for NSW and a century on his test debut for Australia.

He made his Test debut for Australia on 27 August 1981 in the 6th Test of the Ashes series against England. England won the toss and sent Australia into bat and Dirk batting at number 6 scored 24 in the first innings and 103 in the 2nd innings. The match was drawn.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/161/western-suburbs-district-cricket-club-sydney/blog/86/dirk-wellham-help-others-perform-well
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