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2 years ago
John Rogers
John Rogers
Melbourne, Australia
23 Likes
7 Followers



5kms inland from Bondi at the Sydney Cricket Ground another 40,000 people have no interest in the beach. They are packed into the Sydney Cricket Ground watching Australia take on England in the 1962-63 Ashes series. The last test in Sydney was two years previously when the West Indies tour galvanised cricket.

All eyes are on the Australian fast-bowling spearhead Alan Davidson as he licks the first two fingers of his left hand fingers and holds them up to test if the nor-easter has arrived. Yes, he decides, and tells the umpires he will bowl from the northern or Members’ end of the ground to take advantage of the nor-easter coming from behind, blowing over his left shoulder.

Ten minutes earlier his Australian team’s 1st innings series had finished – with a 40 run lead. The England team are not unhappy, a decent performance in their 2nd innings and they might well have the Aussies on toast.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/531/john-rogers/blog/1167/davorsquos-masterclass
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2 years ago
The Golden Age of Cricket Podcast
The Golden Age of Cricket Podcast
London, United Kingdom
13 Likes
0 Followers



Warwick Armstrong - Part 1 with Gideon Haigh

Leading cricket writer Gideon Haigh joins the podcast. When it comes to giants of Australian cricket, there are few who stand larger than Warwick Armstrong. Described as the ‘WG Grace of the Antipodes’, he was an all-round phenomenon, who’s stature in cricket - both physically and figuratively - has rarely been surpassed. Emerging in the first years of the 20th century, he defied many of the game’s oldest laws and customs, played cricket to win regardless of its spirit, and stood firm against an emerging dictatorial cricket Establishment. When he retired after leading the all-conquering 1921 Australians in England, he was universally praised as a ‘champion of the game’. But it’s his early years as a lanky, defiant allrounder in the Golden Age of Cricket which concerns this podcast.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1009/the-golden-age-of-cricket-podcast/blog/1110/warwick-armstrong-part-1-with-gideon-haigh
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2 years ago
Dean Tuckwell
Dean Tuckwell
Travel Agent
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
70 Likes
20 Followers



Chris Torrisi was a dashing top order batsman for Wests & University in the 1990s & 2000s. Always a solid contributor his game really clicked after joining UQCC and was unlucky not to have received higher honours after a series of high scores including coming agonisingly close to a rare first grade double century.

Chris also spent 3 seasons in England to improve his cricket and 4 in Ireland to further his appreciation of Guinness & Morris Dancing. Having held off getting a full-time job as long as he could the real world finally caught up with Tossa who is now married with 2 children and an Australian Border Force agent in Brisbane.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/69/dean-tuckwell/blog/1165/chris-torrisi-playing-and-coaching-cricket-has-taken-me-all-over-the-world
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2 years ago
Andrew King
Andrew King
Real Estate Agent
Mornington, Victoria, Australia
4 Likes
0 Followers



Chris Brittain has had a great influence on all the teams he has played in. He’s won premierships, played for Victoria under 19s and is the proud owner of Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club first grade player number 45.

Let’s find out more about Chris journey in the game

I started my cricketing journey at Delacombe Park where I played all my juniors and some seniors. I then went to Frankston for a short stint which included playing for the Vic under 19’s and playing for Frankston’s first eleven. I was still a youngster in the 19’s and made the most runs for us in the under 19 carnival. From there I gave up cricket for a little while before returning back to the MPCA which included a stint at Long Island CC and one provincial flag, Delacombe Park CC, Heatherhill CC (two Provincial Flags and the Vic 20/20 cup at the MCG. Ferntree Gully footballer CC, Baxter CC (one Provincial Flag)

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/900/andrew-king/blog/1163/chris-brittain-donrsquot-just-watch-the-ball-watch-for-the-seam
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2 years ago
Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan
Founder
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
503 Likes
513 Followers



Greg Rowell - dream big

Greg Rowell was a fast bowler who played first class cricket for New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania. In 46 first class games he took 147 wickets at an average of 30.98 and in 27 one day games he took 27 wickets at 34.03.

What was the best win you were involved in?

Perth 1994/95 QLD v WA. People forget what a hard gig Perth was in the 90’s. We were behind first innings. I had never had a good game in Perth prior to that but started to get the hang of it in that game and whole team just got into the slog and we got a tight win. Great celebrations and a big moment for that group of players to grow in confidence in a memorable year.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/32/paul-ryan/blog/1162/greg-rowell-dream-big
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2 years ago
St George Cricket Club
St George Cricket Club
Sydney, Australia
53 Likes
54 Followers



The remarkable cricket career of St George's Ernie Laidler

“He was immaculately groomed, he never had a hair out of place. His playing whites were always cleaner than others, he cleaned his gloves, his pads… he was immaculate in everything he did.”

These are the words of St George Cricket Club Patron Warren Saunders when describing First Grade player No. 63, Ernie Laidler.

Ernie was a wicket keeper and made his first grade debut in 1928-29.

In what became a remarkable career he remained the clubs first choice keeper for the next 30 years when at the age of 47 and after the 1957-58 season, he put his keeping gloves in his kit bag for the last time.

“I rated him very highly, he was outstanding and every bit as good if not better than Bert Oldfield.”

The kind words were spoken of Ernie by the great Bill “Tiger” O’Reilly.

Tiger O’Reilly was a team mate of Ernie’s and formed a wonderful partnership as O’Reilly mesmerised batsman at all levels. O’Reilly forms part of a select group of 12 men who were selected in the Australian men’s Team of the Century.

Sadly, Ernie never got to wear a baggy green or the baggy blue of NSW. Despite the Tiger O’Reilly’s personal opinion, NSW selectors were set on Oldfield until 1938 and then Ron Saggers who toured with Bradman’s 1948 invincibles to England.

In 1942-43 Ernie was selected for a NSWCA team to play the Australian Services team and in subsequent years became a NSW State selector.

For St George he captained the first grade team for 8 seasons and sits above all of the clubs wicket keepers with 557 first grade dismissals including 320 catches and an astonishing 237 stumping’s, many of whom would’ve come from the bowling of Tiger O’Reilly.

He also scored 2859 runs including a highest score of 100 not out.

Loyalty, stability and integrity were characteristics Ernie also displayed outside cricket as he worked as a Life Insurance Agent for AMP for over 25 years.

Whilst we reminisce Ernie’s career, there is a wonderful historical piece to the story from the clubs perspective, as the club’s 2nd grade keeper George Barter, was Ernie’s understudy for over 20 years.

George was determined to play first grade and his dedication and loyalty was rewarded when he made his debut after Ernie retired, at the age of 43.

Remarkable, we salute First Grade player No.63

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2 years ago
Veterans Cricket Australia
Veterans Cricket Australia
Brisbane, Australia
5 Likes
21 Followers



The Australian Over 40's Cricket Team is thrilled to announce their participation in the inaugural Over 40's World Cup, set to take place in Pakistan from the 23rd of September – 8th of October 2023. The tournament will witness eight formidable teams competing in a total of 36 thrilling matches, showcasing the exceptional talent and passion for cricket among seasoned players. Australia will compete against 7 other Countries including the USA, Saudia Arabia, Hong Kong, Canada, West Indies, UAE, and hosts Pakistan.

The Australian Over 40's Cricket squad recently completed a rigorous two-day training camp in Queensland, impressing the national selectors with their skill and determination. Comprising 16 highly skilled players, the team is now eagerly looking forward to showcasing their expertise as they compete against some of the best veteran cricketers in the world.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/889/veterans-cricket-australia/blog/1161/australian-team-gears-up-to-conquer-the-over-40s-cricket-world-cup
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2 years ago
Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan
Founder
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
503 Likes
513 Followers



Day one of the first Ashes Test at Edgbastan was the first day of Ashes cricket between Australia and England since the sad passing of cricketing giant Shane Warne and I can’t help but feel his influence.

Warne passed away in March 2022 and in April 2022 his good mate Rob Key was announced as the Managing Director of England’s cricket.

You only have to listen to Key talk about Warne to know of Warne’s great influence on Key. Warne’s positivity, passion and boldness to create opportunities in life and in cricket may well have had some sway in Key’s decision to appoint Brendan McCullum England’s Test cricket coach in May 2022.

McCullum like Warne loved to play positive and attacking cricket and despite not having previously coached a team he’s rejuvenated England Test fortunes with what’s being termed ‘BazBall’.

Is it Bazball or Warnie?

Warne would have loved the way the England batters played on day one. I’m not convinced though he would’ve been happy with Australia’s strategy to counter Bazball.
Conservative field placements with a deep point and deep backward square allowed the English batters to get off strike far too easily. There was little opportunity to build pressure and it was a strategy to save boundaries from ball one. If it was Plan B or C I could understand,
For Ashes Test debutant Harry Brooks, it was a dream come true. He would’ve played over and over in his mind since his junior days about taking on the Australians. Padding up, walking out to bat, taking strike, his first ball and excitedly his first run.

For years we’ve been shown the way to seize the moments. Make batters feel uncomfortable in the hope they make a mistake.

A batter wanting to score their first run in an Ashes test I would assume is one of those moments.

Brooks came to the crease and the Aussies left deep point at deep point.

No hint of asking Brooks to make a mistake of playing a big shot to get off the mark. He played a simple defensive shot to point for one.

Would he have nervously played a big shot and being caught at point or in the slips?

We’ll never know but it would’ve been great to at least ask the question.

https://twitter.com/ESPNcricinfo/status/1668596580595933185
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2 years ago
Wynnum Manly District Cricket Club
Wynnum Manly District Cricket Club
Brisbane, Australia
12 Likes
1 Followers



Wynnum Manly District Cricket Club Partnership Proposal for season 2023-24

As a leading Premier Grade Cricket Club in the Queensland Cricket Competition, Wynnum Manly District Cricket Club (WMDCC) provides the best value for money sponsorship in the not for profit space.

With the largest Social Media following in the southern hemisphere, male, female, veteran, senior, junior and multicultural support networks and a corporate presence, WMDCC's Partnership Proposal provides tangible results for it's sponsors.

With a proven record of assisting businesses to grow their digital presence, WMDCC is proud to present Season 2023/24's Partnership Proposal.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/462/wynnum-manly-district-cricket-club/blog/1160/wynnum-manly-district-cricket-club-partnership-proposal-for-season-2023-24
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2 years ago
Bob Wilson
Bob Wilson
Forster, New South Wales, Australia
3 Likes
0 Followers



The Waverley District Cricket Club now the Eastern Suburbs Cricket has a proud history on the field and a proud and interesting history off it.

Playing for Waverley meant it didn’t matter if you were a first grade player or a lower grade cricketer you all enjoyed the success and mateship of each other’s company after the game. Here are few off field stories from the good old days of the Waverley Cricket Club.

The famous Back Room underneath the grandstand at Waverley Oval was the clubhouse and was the only cricket club in Sydney that served cold tap beer dating back to the 1960’s and probably even before.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/980/bob-wilson/blog/1159/memories-of-the-back-room-at-waverley-oval
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2 years ago
The Golden Age of Cricket Podcast
The Golden Age of Cricket Podcast
London, United Kingdom
13 Likes
0 Followers



C.B. Fry - Part 1 with Iain Wilton

There are few cricketers from the Golden Age who remain such an enigma as C. B. Fry. Captain of the England cricket team, footballer, world-record long jump holder, classicist, politician, naval captain, novelist, journalist, academic - there was no end to his talent. He even came close to becoming the King of Albania. English commentator John Arlott described him as 'probably the most variously gifted Englishman of any age.' On more than one occasion during his playing career, he was the undisputed best batsman in the world; yet he never toured Australia as a player, had questionable ties to some senior figures in Nazi Germany, and was troubled throughout his life by mental health issues, probably ignited by a less than ideal domestic setting. In Part 1, Tom is joined by biographer Iain Wilton, and they discuss Fry’s early life, his writing and batting style, and his relationship with his wife, Beatrice.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1009/the-golden-age-of-cricket-podcast/blog/1108/cb-fry-part-1-with-iain-wilton
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2 years ago
Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan
Founder
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
503 Likes
513 Followers



Walter Taylor and Dad opened the batting for Uralla in the Armidale competition before our family moved to Armidale and Dad started playing with St Peters.

From about 1958 and for many years they formed a formidable opening partnership and once shared a partnership of 305 against Waratahs on 27 January 1962. Dad’s 23rd birthday. Walter was 44.

Walter Taylor, a grazier from Kentucky, is considered one of the finest ever batsman from Northern NSW. He represented Armidale, Northern Tablelands and Northern NSW for many decades.

In 1939 he toured Tasmania with the Northern NSW team and in 1958 played for New England against a NSW touring team that included Richie Benaud.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/32/paul-ryan/blog/1157/305-opening-partnership-dad-and-mr-taylor
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