Stories

2 years ago

Paul Ryan

Founder

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

503 Likes
513 Followers

Ranbir Singh was born into a family of cricket fans in India before moving to the United Kingdom firstly as a player but now as an accredited umpire with the England and Wales Cricket Board.

He’s an Automotive Engineer by profession but has a deep love of cricket, it’s tradition and the many of life lessons he’s learned from being involved in the game.

Cricket is an incredible game and teaches us lessons that help us prepare for life's challenges. Stay calm, the game of cricket is full of pressure moments stay calm and execute your skills. When everyone's losing their head, keep yours. Take It one ball at a time, don't get ahead of yourself in cricket or in life. Complacency there is no place for it, never underestimate your competition

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/32/paul-ryan/blog/1276/ranbir-singh-stay-clam-your-turn-will-come

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2 years ago

Mosman Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

15 Likes
28 Followers

‘This article was produced by Mosman Cricket Club and published by the Mosman Daily newspaper in 2000-01

Saturday’s results against the University of NSW proved that Mosman’s top order batsmen are gradually overcoming their reputation of susceptibility.

There were two big centuries and six half-centuries scored across the grades, with the 153 scored by first grader Andy Strauss a highlight of the round.

Equally impressive was new recruit Rex Sellers who continued his giant killing run with an unbeaten 132 in third grade.

Equally prolific at the moment is new recruit, Rishad Contractor, who shared a massive partnership with Sellers and along the way helped himself to 97 runs. Contractor has taken the club by storm this year and, at his current rate, will be in first grade by Christmas.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/340/mosman-cricket-club/blog/1273/mosman-batters-come-good-against-university-of-new-south-wales

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2 years ago

Rob Wilson

Sales Manager

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

4 Likes
0 Followers

Like many cricketers, I have collected, received, accumulated and earned many caps along my cricketing journey. Some mean more than others, but all provide memories that come flooding back the minute you lay eyes on them. In some cases, 20 plus years, but the memories are as vivid as ever.

Whether it was my first ever cricket cap, a Waverley District Cricket Club hat I received as a 12-year-old in 1994, or my Waverley College 1st XI cap I would earn a few years later, they both represent different stages for me. One where I had no idea what I was doing and the other, where I thought I knew what I was doing. Just ask some old coaches haha.

The caps I no doubt cherish greatest, though for different reasons, are my Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club 1st grade cap and Randwick-Petersham Cricket Club 1st grade cap

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/970/rob-wilson/blog/1272/my-cricket-caps-my-journey-rob-wilson

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2 years ago

Andrew King

Real Estate Agent

Mornington, Victoria, Australia

4 Likes
0 Followers

Joey Lane had a long and distinguished career playing in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association and made his debut for the Purple Caps at Country Week at the age of 38.

Let’s find out more about Joey’s journey in the game.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Playing a game with son Jonah in the lower grades at YCW and playing in a tied grand final for Moorooduc against Pearcedale and winning it as we finished on top. Fiery encounter!

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/900/andrew-king/blog/1271/joey-lane-win-the-toss-and-bat

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2 years ago

NSW Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association

Sydney, Australia

10 Likes
24 Followers

Geoff Garland first involvement with senior cricket in New South Wales began in 1961 and he’s been a players, umpire and mentor.

Geoff is a very proud Life Member of NSW Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association

Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general?

As a High School Principal for 15 years I took lessons into the game. Communication, individual differences in personality, importance of empathy, management skills, ability to let players have their say but know when to draw the line. Cricket is a just a microcosm of life. It does not build character but reveals it!!

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/329/nsw-cricket-umpires-and-scorers-association/blog/1267/geoff-garland-enjoyment-and-appreciation

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2 years ago

Chris Muldoon

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

1 Likes
2 Followers

Mosman Cricket Club in the mid-1990s wasn’t quite in the same league but it but it did have a broad spectrum of personalities and talents who came together as part of a well-funded recruiting blitz. Players from many corners of Sydney were encouraged to join the club as it aimed to end a long-time stint as a competition cellar dweller.

But at the start, the big recruit was Shane Lee. He was on the cusp of Australian selection, there were high expectations, and the club immediately appointed him First XI captain and charged him with bringing a new level of professionalism and competitiveness to the playing group. He performed extremely well from the get-go, was a great captain, trained hard and was big on recovery, including enormous amounts of rest.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/105/chris-muldoon/blog/1266/shane-lee-and-the-crazy-gang

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2 years ago

Lyall Gardner

Sydney, Australia

31 Likes
9 Followers

Batting first in front of a large crowd at Redfern Oval, this performance may best be summed up by the report which appeared in The Sunday Times newspaper on 1 February 1903. It read: “At Redfern, Victor Trumper provided 7,000 people with a display which even his greatest admirers were not prepared. In 2 ¾ hours, he compiled 335 runs off his own bat, his cricket and rate of scoring outclassing anything ever before seen on a ground noted for fast rungetting. Prior to Trumper, Redfern bowlers had been performing in fine style, but he simply annihilated them yesterday. He hit 22 fives and 39 fours, which made 266 runs by boundary hits. He sent the ball out of the ground and over the heads of the people in all directions, into the streets, the park, and the bowling green. Such hitting was never before seen here, and probably in the world. Trumper’s 335 is the record score for Senior cricket in Sydney and the first wicket partnership of 423 by him and D. Gee, who made 172, is also a record here. It may be mentioned that E. Hume, Redfern’s crack bowler, bowled ten overs from which 120 runs were hit.”

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/227/lyall-gardner/blog/1265/nsw-premier-cricket-the-record-partnerships-from-1893-to-2023-the-first-wicket-record

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2 years ago

Josh Holt

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

1 Likes
0 Followers

NSW Combined GPS First XI Cricket team – 1998

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2 years ago

Joe Maiorana

Sydney, Australia

40 Likes
2 Followers

The touring World XI cricket team prior to the Sydney Test match of the Rest of the World XI tour of Australia, 8 January 1972.
The match ended in a draw and the Rest of the World XI won the five-match series 2-1.
Standing (from left) Bob Cunis (NZ), Zaheer Abbas (Pakistan), Sunil Gavaskar (India), Farokh Engineer (India), Bob Taylor (England), Bishan Bedi (India), Norman Gifford (England)
Centre row - Clive Lloyd (West Indies), Richard Hutton (England), Tony Greig (South Africa), Peter Pollock (South Africa), Asif Masood (Pakistan), Hylton Ackerman (South Africa).
Sitting - Rohan Kanhai (West Indies), Garry Sobers (West Indies - Captain), Bill Jacobs (Manager), Intikhab Alam (Pakistan - Vice Captain), Graeme Pollock (South Africa).

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2 years ago

Newcastle and Hunter Districts Veterans Cricket Club

Newcastle, NSW, Australia

6 Likes
13 Followers

Darren Thomson made his debut for the Newcastle and Hunter Veterans’ cricket team at the NSW Over 50s Championships on the Central Coast in February 2021 and made an immediate impact with his high action and economical bowling.

Playing for Hunter against Newcastle in the final of the Northern NSW Stirling and Dawn Hamman Cup, Thomson in a man of the match performance took 4 for 15 off 8 over to secure victory for his team.

In March 2023 Darren was selected in the NSW Over 50s Blues cricket team and is the very proud owner of NSW Over 50s Blues Cap Number 52.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/835/newcastle-and-hunter-districts-veterans-cricket-club/blog/1263/darren-thomson-dont-make-things-complicated

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2 years ago

Stockton and Northern Districts Cricket Club

Newcastle, NSW, Australia

7 Likes
1 Followers

In 2020 the Stockton & Northern Districts Cricket Club approached club stalwart and Life Member Ron Hancock to name his team of the decade for the last five decades along with a team of the last 50 years (1970-2019).

Ron has been heavily involved with Stockton & Northern Districts Cricket Club for over 50 years.

Here, Ron selects his team Stockton & Northern Districts Cricket Club Team of the 2000s.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/477/stockton-and-northern-districts-cricket-club/blog/1262/stockton-amp-northern-districts-cricket-club-team-of-the-2000s

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2 years ago

Northern District Cricket Club Sydney

Sydney, Australia

20 Likes
24 Followers

Ross Turner made his first grade debut for Northern District Cricket Club on 20 November 1976 against Sutherland DCC at Caringbah Oval to become NDs first grade player 259.

In a first grade career spanning 1976 to 1993 Ross scored 5,302 runs at an average of 29.45 including 3 centuries and 29 half centuries.

Ross was the captain of Northern District for many years and regarded as one of the most astute and inspiring leaders not only by his team and club but across the Sydney Grade Cricket.competition.

Ross has made an incredible contribution to the game. He's a multiple premiership winning captain but since retiring as a player Ross coaching and administration contribution around the world has and continues to be tremendously influential.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/298/northern-district-cricket-club-sydney/blog/158/ross-turner-keep-an-open-mind

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2 years ago

Paul Ryan

Founder

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

503 Likes
513 Followers

Tom Shiner, right arm leg spinner. A character, competitor, irreverent, a magician and the Charlie Chaplin of Sydney Grade Cricket of the 1980s and 90s.

I had the good fortune to play against Tommy and enjoyed the battle immensely. I had the greater fortune of playing with Tommy at Western Suburbs in 1992/93 and 1993/94.

Keeping to Tom was fun. He could bowl all the balls the very best leg spinners speak of. He’s accuracy, pace, spin and zip off the wicket, fooled many and often.

Many speak of Tom talent and performances and how unlucky he was not to play for NSW. Cricket can or does have a funny way of bracketing or typecasting players. Could he have trained harder and worked on his batting and fielding more? Of course he could’ve, but give him the ball and ask him “can we win”….. “just give me the f&^%ing ball, “ and he’d waddle in and deliver.

It would seem Tommy got better with age and as he hit 30, maybe cricket was not a high priority but I would have loved to seen him given the opportunity to play under captains like Ian Chappell, Mark Taylor or Dirk Wellham in first class cricket.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/32/paul-ryan/blog/57/tom-shiner-the-quirky-magician

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2 years ago

Randwick Petersham Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

40 Likes
43 Followers

Graeme Hughes made his Grade debut at 15 in Petersham-Marrickville’s 1971-72. His arrival brought immediate success, winning the A W Green Shield.

Hughes’ playing influence in the win, however, was with the ball rather than the bat. He opened the bowling and produced some devastating spells in finishing with 27 wickets at the amazing average of just 9.7. He knocked Randwick over for 52 with 7-22, while in the GF, he took 5-42 to have North Sydney out for 109, giving his team a win by a massive 10 wickets. He was later named captain of the Combined Green Shield team to play Country.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/258/randwick-petersham-cricket-club/blog/1261/graeme-hughes-randwick-petersham-cricket-club-heroes-of-the-ages

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2 years ago

Dave McDonald

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

3 Likes
0 Followers

Moving forward a few years onto the 2018 April long weekend.

There was a massive buzz about the season the Parramatta club had so far. Their AW Green Shield side won the competition for the first time in ten years and the 1st Grade side made the One Day Competition final, defeated by Sydney University. The 1st Grade side featured many players that featured in that Green Shield win 10 years ago. But for the season finale, the Two Blues had a chance to break a 53-year hoodoo after making the 1st Grade Belvidere Cup final against, funnily enough, a very strong Sydney University side.

Day 1 of the final was on Good Friday. I spent most of the day at home doing chores whilst having the Cricket NSW live stream playing so I could keep updated, knowing I was heading down to Bankstown Oval on Saturday to watch.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1125/dave-mcdonald/blog/1259/from-a-sausage-roll-to-commentating-history

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2 years ago

Paul Ryan

Founder

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

503 Likes
513 Followers

When asked about his most memorable moments in grade cricket Kersh responds simply, “it’s the friendships and still being in touch with mates I’ve met throughout 30 plus years of playing in Sydney. “

Anthony Kershler played his first-grade game in 1984 as a 15-year-old in Balmain’s 4th-grade team against Penrith at Rance Oval, Werrington near Penrith. He was the left arm off-spinner and his wicketkeeper on the day was a young Mark Atkinson. “Atko” went on to forge a tremendous first-class career in Australia playing 94 Sheffield Shield games for Tasmania.

“Kersh” as he was affectionately known played 421 first grade games in Sydney Grade (NSW Premier) Cricket and retired at the age of 46 in December 2015.

He took 742 wickets at an average of 25.06. He bowled 6485 overs, 1547 maidens and took 18, 5 wicket hauls. His best was 7 for 22.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/32/paul-ryan/blog/447/anthony-kershler-cricketrsquos-my-happy-place

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2 years ago

Jaimie Williams

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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0 Followers

My best grade team - Jaimie Williams 1986 to 2000

Looking back I was fortunate enough to play with and against many fine cricketers with my time at Parramatta and Campbelltown.

I made my first grade debut for Campbelltown in 1986 and played a season for Parramatta before going to the Cricket Academy and playing in Adelaide for the 1988/89 season.

I returned to play for Parramatta until 1996 before finishing up my grade career at Campbelltown in 1999. I also have a very enjoyable season playing Shires with Strathfield in 2000.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1124/jaimie-williams/blog/1258/my-best-grade-team-jaimie-williams-1986-to-2000

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2 years ago

Randwick Petersham Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

40 Likes
43 Followers

Gary Bensley - be competitive, stay humble

Gary Bensley travelled down from Inverell in Northern NSW to play cricket for Randwick Cricket Club during the 1976/77 season and over the next 17 seasons became one of the most dominant all-rounders in the history of Sydney Grade Cricket.

In Gary’s grade cricket career he played for two clubs, Randwick and Mosman and then played Shires cricket for Epping.

Gary took 539 first grade wickets at an impressive average of 20.19 with best figures of 7 for 10 and took a 5 wickets or more in an innings on an equally impressive 30 occasions.

A hard hitting left hand batsman Gary scored 6,603 runs at an average of 33.01 and scored 9 centuries and 24 half centuries.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/258/randwick-petersham-cricket-club/blog/461/gary-bensley-be-competitive-stay-humble

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2 years ago

Gordon District Cricket Club

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

13 Likes
28 Followers

Steve Liggins was a tall fast bowler who played Sydney Grade Cricket for Gordon District Cricket Club and Northern District Cricket Club.

Steve made his first grade debut at Northern District in 1983/84 before moving down the Pacific Highway to Gordon and being a valuable team member of Gordon’s 1990-91 first grade premiership winning team.

Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?

I think perhaps Ross Turner at Northern District. He was great at tactics, great at handling his bowlers and great at managing players. I suspect most people who played with Ross would probably say the same.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/297/gordon-district-cricket-club/blog/172/stephen-liggins-you-canrsquot-get-wickets-if-you-are-not-bowling

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2 years ago

Dean Tuckwell

Travel Agent

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

70 Likes
20 Followers

Joe Dawes - don’t spend your life looking over your shoulder as you will never move forward

There is a lot of debate these days about the merit of selecting players more on their junior pedigree rather than on weight of performance. No one could ever accuse Joe Dawes of getting an armchair ride. He didn’t even play grade cricket until he was 21 and he forced his way into a very strong Queensland fast bowling attack by taking a mountain of grade wickets. In all he took 257 first grade wickets for Valleys at an average of 15.

I first encountered Joe when he was toiling away for Sandgate/Redcliffe on a flat wicket at Deagon – he must have been about 22 and I would describe him as a very accurate, very medium, medium pacer. Within 3 years he transformed himself into a world class fast bowler through sheer will and hard work.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/69/dean-tuckwell/blog/1257/joe-dawes-donrsquot-spend-your-life-looking-over-your-shoulder-as-you-will-never-move-forward

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