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2 years ago
Matt Ellis
Matt Ellis
Cricket Coach
Dubbo, NSW, Australia
59 Likes
7 Followers



The mood was bubbling with excitement as my family gathered together for a birthday celebration. Family members exchanged stories with an assortment of food and drinks to add to the merriment.

My mood on the other hand was somewhat tense as the Australians had their backs to the wall in the Boxing Day Test Match. I had just turned nine and I had a love of cricket that was deep in my veins, so while the family were outside enjoying the festivities, I found my way inside to witness one of my fondest Boxing Day Test Match memories.

It was 1987 and Michael Roy Whitney was in the middle of the MCG facing the music trying to defy Sir Richard Hadlee from taking the final wicket and win the Test Match for New Zealand.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/182/matt-ellis/blog/1146/23-minutes-that-had-me-hooked-on-cricket-for-life
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2 years ago
Randwick Petersham Cricket Club
Randwick Petersham Cricket Club
Sydney, Australia
40 Likes
43 Followers



Randwick District Cricket Club First Grade Premiers 1977-78

Alan Turner won the toss and had no hesitation in sending David Colley’s boys in to bat.

It brought immediate success with Tim Towers having Pym caught behind third ball. But Rob Jeffery and Greg Bush dug in until both were gone on the same score. But the Whale’s English import, Jim Love, and Colley hit out after Bensley had Allan Border caught by Bill Knowles. It was only just after Love departed that Colley called a halt.

The Mosman openers made early inroads to the Randwick batting with star openers, Turner and Dyson out quickly. A backs-to-the-wall effort by Tom Wood however, defied the attack and when bad light stopped play at 5.45 pm, Randwick had the premiership

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/258/randwick-petersham-cricket-club/blog/128/randwick-district-cricket-club-first-grade-premiers-1977-78
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2 years ago
Matt Ellis
Matt Ellis
Cricket Coach
Dubbo, NSW, Australia
59 Likes
7 Followers



Remembering Riding Mill Cricket Club's Historic Dice Cricket Virtual Tour of Australia

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, when cricket around the world was put on hold, a group of cricket-starved Englishmen and enthusiastic Australian cricketers decided to answer the call for the game to be played. Riding Mill Cricket Club, an English cricket team, embarked on a unique virtual tour of Australia in 2020, bringing the excitement of cricket to life through dice cricket. Led by Matt Ellis, the Australian tour coordinator from the Cricket Library podcast, the Riding Mill Cricket Club’s dice cricket tour brought together players and fans from different corners of the world. This article delves into the concept of dice cricket, the historic virtual tour, and the impact it had on the participating teams.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/182/matt-ellis/blog/1145/remembering-riding-mill-cricket-clubs-historic-dice-cricket-virtual-tour-of-australia
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2 years ago
CricConnect Stories
CricConnect Stories
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
191 Likes
257 Followers



Bluey's cricket episode perfectly encapsulates the meaning of the game

Backyard cricket takes centre stage in the latest episode of Bluey, Cricket, which you can watch on iView now.
The episode focuses on one of Bluey's friends, Rusty, who we're told "loves cricket".
That love of the game is shown by him playing at every possible opportunity: With his brothers in their backyard, with his brother's mates "with a real cricket ball" in the park and, when they're not available, by knocking a tennis ball against the wall by himself.
He even sleeps with a cricket bat by his bed.
Essentially, he's a cartoon, Kelpie version of a young Marnus Labuschagne.

Source : ABC iView -
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-12/bluey-cricket-episode-encapsulates-the-meaning-of-the-game/102467554
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2 years ago
St George Cricket Club
St George Cricket Club
Sydney, Australia
53 Likes
54 Followers



Brett Patman - keep smiling and have fun

Brett Patman was a talent leg spinner who made his first grade debut for St George District Cricket Club at the age of 18 in 1981. Brett is the club first grade playing number 279.

At the beginning of 1982 Brett was selected in the Australian Under 19 team to play Pakistan and in a team captained by future Test batsman Mike Veletta.

In the First Test Brett put in a fine all-round performance despite Australia loss by 8 wickets. He scored 40 and 26 and took 4 for 11 off 10 overs in Pakistans under 19s first innings.

Brett played first grade cricket in Sydney and Brisbane so let’s find out more about Brett’s journey in the game.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/275/st-george-cricket-club/blog/1142/brett-patman-keep-smiling-and-have-fun
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2 years ago
Cricket NSW
Cricket NSW
71 Likes
102 Followers



King's Birthday honours list - Cricket NSW volunteers and players

Cricket volunteers and players from across NSW have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to cricket in the 2023 King's Birthday honours list.

Heading the honourees is the Honourable Kevin Patrick Greene, who was awarded the Member (AM) In the General Division.

Other’s afforded awards from NSW include former Test cricketer Miriam Knee, Tamworth’s Terry Psarakis and the Central Coast’s David Smallman who were all awarded the Medal (OAM) In the General Division.

Greene, was honoured for significant service to the Parliament of New South Wales, to local government, and to the community, where he has made an immeasurable contribution to cricket. The current deputy chair of Cricket NSW and life member of St George District Cricket Club is still actively involved in shaping the future of cricket, inspiring people of all ages to play and love the game.

Miriam Knee, 85, from Tennyson, played eight Tests and six ODIs for Australia in the 1960’s and 1970’s before going on to serve cricket in NSW as a selector and coach. She was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2000.

Terry Psarakis received his OAM for service to sport, particularly to cricket, where he has been a stalwart of the South Tamworth Cricket Club for more than four decades, A former player and coach, Psarakis is a life member of the Tamworth District Cricket Association and has been chair of Tamworth Cricket Inc, since 2015. He is known throughout country NSW cricket as a dedicated lifelong servant.

David Smallman, from Wyoming, was acknowledged for service to the community of the Central Coast, and to cricket. A past player and former president of the Central Coast Cricket Association, Smallman has also received a 50 Year Volunteer Certificate from Cricket Australia for his lifetime of commitment and service to the sport.

Cricket NSW CEO, Lee Germon, heralded Greene, Knee, Psarakis and Smallman.

“The contributions of Kevin, Miriam, Terry and David to our great sport of cricket can not be understated,” Germon said.

“All four have, in their own way, inspired countless people to play and love cricket and for that we will be eternally grateful.

“Volunteers are the heartbeat of community sport and in cricket, there are few finer examples that these four devotees.

“On behalf of everyone at Cricket NSW and throughout the state, I congratulate and thank them.”

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2 years ago
Pace Doctor
Pace Doctor
Cricket Coach
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
3 Likes
0 Followers



Six weeks to cricket fast bowling fitness - a guide to managing workload

Being in excellent physical condition and using a sound bowling technique are both key, however, bowling workload management is particularly important at this time of year, when fast bowlers are starting to prepare for the regular club season. For those teenage fast bowlers preparing for underage tournaments where multiple games are played in a week-long carnival type format, its critical bowling workloads are planned properly. The research in cricket, and from other sports, clearly shows sportspeople get injured more often after a sudden increase in physical demands,

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/683/pace-doctor/blog/1139/six-weeks-to-cricket-fast-bowling-fitness-a-guide-to-managing-workload
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2 years ago
Pace Doctor
Pace Doctor
Cricket Coach
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
3 Likes
0 Followers



Do you know what type of fast bowler your body wants to be?

Reflecting on all my years of analysing bowling actions and working with fast bowlers, I have been pondering the simple to master basics for young developing fast bowlers. And I reckon this is a great start for fast bowlers, and their coaches, to reduce their risks of injury and maximise their potential.

From a bowling action perspective, a key foundation for reducing risk of injury and maximizing your talent, is this one simple, and somewhat odd feature about the way YOU bowl. Not your team-mate, not your idol, but YOU!

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/683/pace-doctor/blog/1138/do-you-know-what-type-of-fast-bowler-your-body-wants-to-be
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2 years ago
Tim O'Sullivan
Tim O'Sullivan
Business Advisor
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
1 Likes
0 Followers



My best grade team - Tim O'Sullivan 1992 to 2007

I started my Victorian Premier Cricket Career in 1992 playing for Northcote Cricket Club before moving to St Kilda Cricket Club in 1999. I was lucky enough to play in 6 premiership teams one with Northcote and five with the mighty Saints.

In picking my team I excluded one notable player in Shane Warne as he is in every best team of all time and thought it was time he missed out on one!

Nine of the team played first class cricket and all played in Premiership teams that have left many great memories.

Here is my team and definitely in batting order. Sorry Horse but I couldn’t bat you at 12!

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1030/tim-osullivan/blog/1137/my-best-grade-team-tim-osullivan-1992-to-2007
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2 years ago
Steffan Jones
Steffan Jones
Cricket Coach
Taunton, England, United Kingdom
6 Likes
1 Followers



There is a reason Brett Lee was as fast as he was

Two attractors were evident from the very beginning of the impact zone. Attractors in the bowling sequence have a domino effect. Setting the kino sequence up correctly from the start by hitting the attractors has a huge positive effect on ball velocity

1. Upper body first

Creating tension around the trunk and pelvis through correct stretching of the oblique slings. Creates control of collision on the back foot contact

Fast bowling is about utilising the SPIRAL FORCES that happen in the body and is free energy. Getting the timing and sequencing right will allow effortless and efficient speed

The spiral tension creates stability around the pelvis which in turns aids the front foot contact, swing leg extension and retraction

2. Extending the trunk while rotating

In fast bowling the upper body should move independently from the lower body (notice his pelvis is open/facing forward- the back door and front door closed as such, whilst his torso has a slight turn)

This is how tension is created

Extending the trunk encourages stability in the lumbar spine. It also guides the scapula into the correct position.

“When the bowler extends their thoracic spine, they put the four rotator cuff muscles at or near their optimal length, promoting stability in the next attractor (rotation around the shoulder)

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2 years ago
Scott Hookey
Scott Hookey
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
7 Likes
0 Followers



My best teams - Scott Hookey 1985 to 2000

Picking my best team was a bit of fun and I’ve decided to pick three teams.
The first team is my best grade team and covers my time playing for Fairfield Liverpool in 1985/86, Western Suburbs from 1986/87 to 1988/89, North Hobart in Tasmania from 1989/90 to my return to Sydney when I joined North Sydney 1991/92 until retirement in 2000.

My Best Grade team

1. Michael Di Venuto – North Hobart
2. Garry Baldwin – Fairfield
3. Dirk Wellham – Western Suburbs and Captain
4. Brad McNamara – Western Suburbs
5. Phil Marks – North Sydney
6. Graeme Spring – North Sydney
7. Greg Matthews – Western Suburbs
8. Greg Dyer – Western Suburbs and Wicket Keeper
9. Warwick Adlam – North Sydney
10. David Gilbert – Western Suburbs
11. Stuart MacGill – North Sydney

12. Michael McMahon – North Sydney

Coach – Bill Madden - Fairfield
Manager – Craig Williams North Sydney

The 2nd team is my best all-time team of players I’ve had the good fortune to play with in Australia and in numerous trips to England

1. Michael Slater
2. Desmond Haynes
3. Steve Waugh - Captain
4. Mark Waugh
5. Michael Bevan
6. Greg Matthews
7. Wasim Akram
8. Imran Khan
9. Dennis Lillee
10. Bob Taylor – Wicket Keeper
11. David Gilbert

12. Lance Cairns

Manager – Michael Parkinson

My 3rd team is my best team from players I’ve played against

1. Sunil Gavaskar
2. Javed Miandad
3. Viv Richards - Captain
4. Allan Border
5. Steve Waugh
6. Mark Waugh
7. Adam Gilchrist
8. Ian Botham
9. Courtney Ambrose
10. Bruce Reid
11. Glenn McGrath

12. Tim May

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2 years ago
UNSW Cricket Club
UNSW Cricket Club
9 Likes
9 Followers



The Saturday Sledge - First Grade Reschs Cup Match UNSW v Bankstown at Bankstown, 9 January 1994

University of NSW batted first, and after 50 overs were 8 for 217. Apart from the aforementioned Norbury, Matthew Phelps compiled 34, Matt Hayward much the same, and David Trafford hit out wantonly at the end for an unbeaten 26, which included two sixes, one of which was over a deep mid off/mid on area guarded by three of the blue and white enemy. Bankstown were all out in the 45th over for 168, a most capacious defeat for a team who lead the regular grade competition by 18 points, and for whom losing is as rare as a dry eye at a performance of Mahler’s “Unrequited”.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/230/unsw-cricket-club/blog/1134/the-saturday-sledge-first-grade-reschs-cup-match-unsw-v-bankstown-at-bankstown-9-january-1994
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2 years ago
Rodney Davison
Rodney Davison
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
4 Likes
0 Followers



My best grade team - Rodney Davison 1985 to 2006

Selecting my best grade team from 21 consecutive Premier 1st Grade Cricket seasons in Sydney and Brisbane from 1985/86 to 2005/06, which included playing for 5 clubs (i.e. Sutherland, Randwick, Sydney University, Gold Coast and Beenleigh-Logan) is not as easy task.

I decided to include International and Domestic first-class players. However, to be selected, players needed to compete in more than a handful of club games with me, including performing to a high level.

Representative performances were not taken into account. Individual efforts that significantly led to my club team winning a 1st Grade premiership and/or making semi-finals were very highly regarded.

Finally, the balance of the team was considered, and followed a structure of 5 x specialist batters, 1 x allrounder, 1 x wicketkeeper, 3 x quick bowlers and 1 x spinner. A Coach has also been selected to train and manage the team.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1027/rodney-davison/blog/1133/my-best-grade-team-rodney-davison-1985-to-2006
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