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2 years ago
Brett Eriksson
Brett Eriksson
Business Advisor
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
2 Likes
0 Followers



Who ate all the Jelly Beans?

It was a 40-degree day in Newcastle for day 2 of the final round of the Australian Under 19 cricket championships in 2001.

NSW v South Australia in a fairly star-studded line-up. NSW had Dan Christian, Aaron Bird and Jason Krezja and South Australia had the great Shaun Tait, Callum Ferguson and Mark Cozzy Cosgrove. Many ended up playing for their country.

As we started the day South Australia had the upper hand as NSW were chasing and in big trouble. With a full day to go, we were playing for the draw.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/999/brett-eriksson/blog/1074/who-ate-all-the-jelly-beans
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2 years ago
Keith Wyatt
Keith Wyatt
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
1 Likes
0 Followers



During my journey as a club cricketer, I have met quite a few that did manage to lighten up dull moment of a game. They were prepared to break from the pack and give themselves and teammates a good laugh. Many moments flood back to my mind as I write so I will just selects a couple that may amuse the reader.

Scenario 1

A first grade match at Mosman Oval, Petersham Marrickville v Mosman. A Mosman opener was facing a fiery spell from Dave Chardon when he was struck by a sharp one on his thigh. He threw his bat away in disgust, followed closely by his pads. He proceeded then to run a slow lap around the boundary. The two bemused umpires stood beside the discarded bat and pads, discussing what action they would take. The batsman returned and proceeds to ‘pad up.’ When the umpires asked, “what was that all about?” They were told by the batsman that “my physiotherapist told me to always run out a corked thigh as soon as you get it, so I thought I would give it a go.” The umpires just looked at one another, smiled, then walked back to their positions, laughing and telling Dave Chardon not to hit him in the thigh again.

Scenario 2

The same batsman, different game, between the same teams, and Petersham in the field. The opening bowler check the ball after a couple of overs to see it prematurely roughed up and commented, “strange it’s only gone for a few runs.” In a field change, he moved two fielders in close and one of them held up play to check this batsman at as it appeared ‘different.’ On inspection, it was found that stuck to the face of the bat was a very coarse sheet of glasspaper. When questioned by the umpire and then told to remove it he casually replied that his captain told him, his job was to “get the shine off the ball.”

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2 years ago
Steve Nikitaras
Steve Nikitaras
Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
2 Likes
0 Followers



My best grade team - Steve Nikitaras 1990 to 2001

I started my Sydney Grade Career in 1990 playing Western Suburbs before moving to Penrith and Sydney University. In 1998 I moved to Western Australia and played with Perth Cricket Club.

In picking my best grade team I have excluded any Test players and whilst difficult, it was a bit of fun.

Here’s my team in batting order:

1. Jason Arnberger - Penrith

Arnie in my opinion was the most complete batsmen in my time. He was rare and in the top 10% in the country. A bloke who carried weight, yet moved so quick with his feet. When you think about openers, he’s my number one.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/189/steve-nikitaras/blog/1073/my-best-grade-team-steve-nikitaras-1990-to-2001
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2 years ago
Neil Marks
Neil Marks
Sydney, Australia
10 Likes
1 Followers



A special tale about Australian Cricketer Archie Jackson and the towel

In the late 1920s the press and public were clamouring for a policy of youth in the selection of the New South Wales cricket team. The blues had won the Sheffield Shield only once in 5 years. This was not good enough for the cricket fans of the Waratah state, who were conditioned to winning. The great era, which had begun in the postwar years were drawing to a close, and legends, such as Mailey, Gregory and Andrew were no longer the dominant force they’d once been. So onto the greensward of the SCG, determined to make it their own strode players like Archie Jackson, Don Bradman and my father Alec (Äcka’) Marks – mere teenagers who had barely begun to shave.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/542/neil-marks/blog/502/a-special-tale-about-australian-cricketer-archie-jackson-and-the-towel
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2 years ago
Paul Ryan
Paul Ryan
Founder
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
503 Likes
513 Followers



Where's Wally - St George v Manly 1999- 2000 One Day Final

It's fair to say the St George First Grade team went into the 1999/2000 One Day Competition Final against Manly with our tails well and truly between our legs.

As fate would have it, 24 hours earlier the same two teams walked through the gates at Hurstville Oval in preparation for the 2nd day of a two day game with Manly set to chase Saints first innings total of 223.

With the Grand Final the following day both teams were looking for a win and a psychological edge.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/32/paul-ryan/blog/147/wheres-wally-st-george-v-manly-1999-2000-one-day-final
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2 years ago
Pat Culpan
Pat Culpan
Business and Research Analyst
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
7 Likes
0 Followers



Jack and his Grandfather - special

I have scored many memorable matches in my 45 years of scoring 1st Grade or higher, including multiple Test and International limited over matches all over this world, I have scored 230 two-day premiership matches for my current club as well as limited over matches, so I have seen many memorable moments and matches. Matches won off the final over/ball, hat tricks, great run chases, bowlers getting 10 wickets in an innings (I’ve score that twice) and many other memories, however there is one match which stands out in my recollection and memory.

It was the weekend of the 18th & 19th January 2014 and Valley District Cricket Club had a two-day match against a very strong Toombul side

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/859/pat-culpan/blog/1072/jack-and-his-grandfather-special
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2 years ago
Valley District Cricket Club
Valley District Cricket Club
Brisbane, Australia
3 Likes
5 Followers



Peter Drinnen is the Director of Coaching at Valley District Cricket Club

In a decorated playing career Peter played 5 first class games and 3 one day games for Queensland and is the proud owner of Valley first grade cap number 588 after making his debut for the club in 1989/90.

Peter had previously played first grade cricket in Brisbane Grade Cricket for South Brisbane.

From Bundaberg in Queensland Peter played Under 16s and 19s for Queensland and represented Queensland Country at the National Country Championships before moving to Brisbane.

Peter was also part of the inaugural intake to the Australian Cricket Academy in Adelaide in 1988.

As a cricket coach, Peter has excelled and continues to make a tremendous contribution to the game. He’s a highly regarded Level 3 cricket coach, operates his own coaching business and coach Scotland to the 2007 World Cup and The Netherlands to the 2001 World Cup

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

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/334/valley-district-cricket-club/blog/198/peter-drinnen-do-it-well
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2 years ago
Dennis Hourn
Dennis Hourn
Sydney, Australia
38 Likes
2 Followers



A day in the life of a junior cricket coach

Twenty four years ago I was asked to manage the Sydney South Eastern Junior Cricket Association's Weblin Shield under 15 rep side. Our first representative game is set for Sunday, 29 November 1998 against Canberra at Stirling Oval in Canberra.

My first thoughts. Canberra. For a junior under 15 team. What the. Its 300 k's away. Second thoughts. This will present quite a few challenges. The players are subsequently given the option of going down the Saturday night or doing it all in the one day.

Some of the boys opt for the latter, no doubt worried about the cost of an overnight stay. So 5:00 am on the Sunday of the game I pick up four of the players in my black Ford LTD,

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/239/dennis-hourn/blog/644/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-junior-cricket-coach
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2 years ago
Brian Breakspear
Brian Breakspear
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
1 Likes
0 Followers



The Australian Police Cricket United Kingdom Tour 1989

In December 1988, The Australian Police Cricket Championship was played at the grounds of the Sydney University. This was the Bi-Centennial of Australia.

Police Cricket Association were invited from all States and Territories of Australia. Unfortunately, not all States and Territories accepted the invitation to participate. The competing Teams came Queensland, N.S.W., Victoria, ACT and South Australia. NSW nominated a second XI to balance the draw.

The Championship was convincingly won by NSW.

At the Championship Dinner, an Australian Merit Team was announced. The NSW President announced that a proposed Australian Police Cricket Tour of the United Kingdom would be undertaken in July 1989

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/523/brian-breakspear/blog/1070/the-australian-police-cricket-united-kingdom-tour-1989
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2 years ago
St George Cricket Club
St George Cricket Club
Sydney, Australia
53 Likes
54 Followers



John Rogers - Living the dream

For seven seasons that included four premierships, John Rogers batted at No 4 for St George so that every innings he was going to join either Warren Saunders, Billy Watson or Brian Booth. “And if I outlasted them, in would come Jack Wilson.“ he says, still in some wonderment.

“They were so good to bat with, each so different. Warren played with the broadest bat, mostly off the back foot, Billy would finesse shots all around the wicket and was a beautiful cutter, while Brian always looked so unhurried and so elegant while creaming the attack.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/275/st-george-cricket-club/blog/1068/john-rogers-living-the-dream
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2 years ago
UNSW Cricket Club
UNSW Cricket Club
9 Likes
9 Followers



UNSW v Bankstown 1976-77 Semi-final at the Village Green

It was the season before World Series Cricket and there were plenty of legends playing Sydney grade. Andy Roberts, Geoff Boycott, Allan Border, Doug Walters and Rick McCosker played much of the season. Another seven had or would play for Australia, while another 23 had played or would play Shield cricket for NSW.

It is the week Lenny Pascoe gets his call-up for Australia – he has been chosen for the 1977 Ashes tour of England. His great mate, Jeff Thomson, got that call-up five years back, and Lenny has given everything in that period to join him. Bankstown have not won a premiership in his time, and Lenny, great clubman that he is, wants one badly. Bankstown are a tough bunch, captained by Dion Bourne – uncle of Steve and Mark Waugh. Also in their side are Ken and Graham Thorpe – future father and uncle of swimming legend Ian Thorpe – and Steve Small, who is in the early stages of a fine career.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/230/unsw-cricket-club/blog/106/unsw-v-bankstown-1976-77-semi-final-at-the-village-green
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2 years ago
Adrian Butler
Adrian Butler
8 Likes
0 Followers



The excitement of Test cricket

Over 70 years ago in December 1950, my father took me to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to see my first Test match between Australia and England. Thus the beginning of a passion for the game of cricket.

I was captivated by Keith Miller, the great all-rounder, who was and remains one of the most outstanding players in the history of the game.

Since that Test match I have been fortunate to attend over 160 Tests at all the major Test grounds in Australia, except the new ground in Perth. I have also seen Tests at all the major grounds in England and the Caribbean.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/163/adrian-butler/blog/92/the-excitement-of-test-cricket
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2 years ago
Shane Lee
Shane Lee
Founder
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
39 Likes
10 Followers



Michael Bevan's "Bev attack"

If there was a world record for the number of expletives expelled after being dismissed in cricket, it would have Michael Bevan’s name next to it! The anger and aggression shown to his bat, helmet and pads following his dismissal was unprecedented. If there was a DOCS for cricket gear, I would have called the 1800 number.

Saying that, his self-ridicule and tantrums following a low score often gave his team mates some light hearted humour.

“How many F’s today boys?” Mark Waugh would ask as he framed a quick market for the boys to place bets on an incoming Bevan and how often he would swear.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/538/shane-lee/blog/1066/michael-bevans-quotbev-attackquot
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