Stories

3 months ago

Parramatta District Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

6 Likes
10 Followers

Hayden Goulstone is a spirited young spinner, still developing his trade with the bulk of his cricket lying ahead of him, but he has already joined a select band of Parramatta District Cricket Club off-spinners who played important roles in helping the club to win the coveted NSW Premier Cricket’s First Grade Premiership - former Test bowler W.P. ‘Old Bill’ Howell (1899/00), State player W.H. ‘Young Bill’ Howell (1932/33), the club’s highest wicket-taker Bobby Aitken (1964/65) and Hayden Goulstone (2022/23 & 2024/25).

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/406/parramatta-district-cricket-club/blog/3232/hayden-goulstone-ndash-a-spirited-off-spinner

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3 months ago

Manly Warringah District Cricket Club

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

33 Likes
22 Followers

Michael Bevan

While it’s rare today for international—and even state—players to participate regularly in grade cricket, this wasn’t always the case. Up until the early 2000s, it was common to see Australian representatives turning out for their grade clubs a few times each season. Bankstown boasted the Waugh twins, Northern District had Mark Taylor, UNSW fielded Michael Slater, Mosman had the Lee brothers, Sutherland had Glenn McGrath, and at Manly, we were fortunate to have the original finisher - Michael Bevan.

After transferring to Manly from Campbelltown—where he had already established a reputation for match-winning performances—Bevan became a key figure for the club over several seasons.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/338/manly-warringah-district-cricket-club/blog/3223/michael-bevan

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4 months ago

Parramatta District Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

6 Likes
10 Followers

At start of the 2021/22 season Ryan Hackney, then a young NSW contracted player, transferred his allegiance from the Penrith District Cricket Club to Parramatta, in search of a new challenge and to enhance his prospects of NSW first-class selection – in both these pursuits he was ultimately successful.

Ryan is the consummate opening batsman – in many ways the old style opener who blunts the attack – at the crease the left-hander is quiet in demeanour, fully switched on to the job ahead, unruffled, possesses loads of concentration and loves batting for long periods.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/406/parramatta-district-cricket-club/blog/3228/ryan-hackney-ndash-the-consummate-opener

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4 months ago

Manly Warringah District Cricket Club

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

33 Likes
22 Followers

Nine-Wicket Hauls for Bradstreet and O'Keefe

Taking a five-wicket haul in any form of cricket is a significant achievement — even more so at First Grade level. To claim nine wickets in a single innings, however, is something truly exceptional.

Over the past 30 years, Manly has been fortunate enough to witness two such performances at First Grade level - both by club legends who also captained their state: Shawn Bradstreet and Stephen O’Keefe.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/338/manly-warringah-district-cricket-club/blog/3222/nine-wicket-hauls-for-bradstreet-and-okeefe

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4 months ago

Penrith Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

18 Likes
20 Followers

Goodbye to a friend.... A Tribute to Bill Ball

Following World War II, Bill went to school at Hurlstone Agricultural College at Glenfield, where he played rugby in the winter and cricket in the summer.

After school, his first cricket “Club” was the Bungarribee Cricket Club, based on the Church of England Church that was located on the Great Western Highway at Blacktown. The land of that Church was adjacent to what is now known as the H.E. Laybutt Fields of the Blacktown Workers Club.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/330/penrith-cricket-club/blog/3227/goodbye-to-a-friend-a-tribute-to-bill-ball

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4 months ago

Manly Warringah District Cricket Club

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

33 Likes
22 Followers

Manly PGs 2006/07

The Manly Poidevin-Gray team delivered a commendable performance during the 2006/07 season, finishing 7th and narrowly missing out on a finals berth.

Under the captaincy of Mitchell Cleary, the squad featured seven players who would go on to represent Manly in First Grade, including future South Australian Sheffield Shield player James Munting and future Australian Test cricketer Jackson Bird.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/338/manly-warringah-district-cricket-club/blog/3220/manly-pgs-200607

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4 months ago

Parramatta District Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

6 Likes
10 Followers

Arthur Howell was the ‘black sheep’ of the Howell clan that played so successfully for Cumberland, his father Test player W.P. Howell and two brothers, State player W.H. Howell and Norman were all off-spinners, he broke the mould being a fast-medium bowler.

Arthur crafted a magnificent playing career with Central Cumberland as a bowling all-rounder and across all grades he plundered a remarkable 706 wickets @ 18.97 to reign as the Club’s second highest wicket-taker (Bob Aitken holds the top slot)

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/406/parramatta-district-cricket-club/blog/3225/arthur-howell-ndash-a-bowling-allrounder

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4 months ago

Gordon District Cricket Club

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

13 Likes
28 Followers

Phil Emery

Sport was in the Emery family’s veins. Father Neville had played rugby union for Australia and Grade cricket. His mother Helen was a representative and extremely competitive squash and tennis player. It was only going to be a matter of time until the Sydney Church of England Grammar school student turned to sport. The question was, which sport – cricket or rugby union? Whilst enjoying rugby he chose cricket and it was his prep school cricket coach Mal Howard who, according to Emery, said at a practice, “‘You’re going to keep’ and pushed me straight into it.”

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/297/gordon-district-cricket-club/blog/3224/phil-emery

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4 months ago

Manly Warringah District Cricket Club

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

33 Likes
22 Followers

The incredible rise of Pete Jacka

During the 2002/03 season, left-arm orthodox spinner Pete Jacka - widely regarded as one of the most genuine and well-respected individuals to represent the Manly club - achieved the extraordinary feat of progressing from 5th Grade to 1st Grade within a single season.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/338/manly-warringah-district-cricket-club/blog/3219/the-incredible-rise-of-pete-jacka

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4 months ago

St George Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

53 Likes
54 Followers

In Between Balls with Paul Francis

Fell in love with the game after watching the 2006/07 Ashes. I was 10 and immediately wanted to start hitting balls in the backyard. I wasn’t the superstar I thought I was going to be and was immediately brought back to earth in my first game at Gannons, bowled first ball by Luke Bartier. A humbling experience.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/275/st-george-cricket-club/blog/3218/in-between-balls-with-paul-francis

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4 months ago

Manly Warringah District Cricket Club

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

33 Likes
22 Followers

One of the most entertaining aspects of playing for Manly during the 2000s was the fierce and often fiery rivalry with Sydney University. This competitive relationship was marked by high-stakes encounters, strategic recruiting moves, and a fair share of drama - both on and off the field.

The first real flashpoint came ahead of the 2003/04 season when Manly’s prolific opening batsman, Matt Phelps, was recruited by Sydney Uni. His move helped form a formidable top order alongside Greg Mail, Ed Cowan, and Ian Moran, setting the stage for several intense battles in the years to follow.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/338/manly-warringah-district-cricket-club/blog/3216/the-manly-vs-sydney-university-rivalry-of-the-2000s

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4 months ago

Brad Murphy

Cricket Coach

Brisbane, Australia

20 Likes
5 Followers

Rod Kirkaldie shares his treasured memories playing Warehouse Cricket in Brisbane.

Rod Kirkaldie played top-grade cricket and Australian Rules football in Brisbane in the '80s. He also moved around a bit after that, having stints playing at Nambour, Coomera-Hope Island on the Gold Coast and Pine Rivers in Warehouse cricket.

He also lived and played cricket in Vanuatu for a period. He writes a little story for us.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/173/brad-murphy/blog/3215/rod-kirkaldie-shares-his-treasured-memories-playing-warehouse-cricket-in-brisbane

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4 months ago

Gordon District Cricket Club

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

13 Likes
28 Followers

Brian Taber arrived at the club for the 1956-57 season. At the age of 16 years and 160 days he was selected in First Grade. Daunting you might say but at that time in his cricket development he had, according to Sid Carroll, “what it takes to be a quality keeper”. Bert Oldfield, an interested observer, said to Brian’s father Charles, “He moves well, and I can organise some gloves for him from my store.” He did organise the gloves following a visit with Brian and his father, at a price. Bert was the consummate businessman.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/297/gordon-district-cricket-club/blog/3212/brian-taber

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4 months ago

Penrith Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

18 Likes
20 Followers

Penrith Cricket Club thanks Marilyn Poulter: 2009-2010

Clubs are built on the unselfish devotion of their volunteers. The end of this past season saw the retirement of one of the Summer Panthers' great servants in Marilyn Poulter.

Marilyn came forward in a time of great need for our club, and while she intended to take on the role of First Grade scorer for just a short time to help out, she remained one of the constants in a period of great personnel change.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/330/penrith-cricket-club/blog/3211/penrith-cricket-club-thanks-marilyn-poulter-2009-2010

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4 months ago

Parramatta District Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

6 Likes
10 Followers

Andrew Calvert, the sturdily built and powerful stroke-making young Parramatta Left handed top-order batsman took centre stage at the NSW Cricket Central Oval in the 2024/25 Belvidere Cup Grand Final. He structured a superb innings of real class that underpinned the Parramatta club’s securing of its third premiership title since 2017/18 – his brilliant 161 (1 x6s, 23 x4s) was compiled in 346 balls and was a treat to watch, it was a realisation of the rich potential he possesses and should put him on the radar for higher honours.

It also earned him the prestigious Benaud Medal – man of the match in the First Grade Grand Final.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/406/parramatta-district-cricket-club/blog/3210/andrew-calvert-ndash-a-batsman-on-the-rise

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4 months ago

Greg Bush

Lawyer

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

7 Likes
0 Followers

My best grade team - Greg Bush 1972 to 1996

Over 24 full seasons I was privileged to play with many outstanding cricketers. This team comprises the “best” cricketers in terms of quality/talent. Nine played Test cricket and the other 2 played Shield cricket.

For context I played grade cricket for Mosman from 1972 to 1982, North Sydney 1982 to 1985, Manly Warringah to 1985 to1993 then Petersham 1993 to 1996.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/767/greg-bush/blog/3208/my-best-grade-team-greg-bush-1972-to-1996

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4 months ago

UTS North Sydney District Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

12 Likes
19 Followers

James Campbell - My Best Grade XI

James Campbell is UTS North Sydney's sixth-highest First Grade wicket-taker in history with 345 poles and counting in a one-club career since he made his debut against UNSW in 2011/12. In all, 81 players have been presented with their First Grade baggy cap since then! Here, James selects his best 11 from those he played with.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/380/uts-north-sydney-district-cricket-club/blog/3207/james-campbell-my-best-grade-xi

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4 months ago

Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club

Christchurch, New Zealand

0 Likes
2 Followers

Arun Kumar Manickavasagam advised the club last season that he will be stepping down as scorer as he will be travelling back to India to help organise his brother’s wedding and will also be doing some travelling there.

Arun saw an advert in the paper and applied for the position as scorer in 2015, he was interviewed by Paul O’Flaherty, Chairman, and Alex Reese, Premier Men’s Coach and began his scoring for the 2015/2016 campaign.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1832/burnside-west-christchurch-university-cricket-club/blog/3206/veteran-scorer-arun-kumar-manickavasagam-steps-down-from-his-duties

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4 months ago

St George Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

53 Likes
54 Followers

Bradman of St George

Don Bradman was born on this day, the 27th of August in 1908 at Cootamundra in country New South Wales in 1908. He was brought up in Bowral, in the Southern Highlands, where he learnt and ‘practiced’ his cricket.

He played for St George for 7 seasons - from 1926-27 to 1932-33 inclusive. He played his first game for St George in November 1926 (in First Grade of course) at the age of 18 and scored 110 run out against Petersham at Petersham Oval against one of the strongest bowling attacks in the competition.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/275/st-george-cricket-club/blog/3202/bradman-of-st-george

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4 months ago

Penrith Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

18 Likes
20 Followers

Cosi to the rescue. Penrith Cricket Club 3rd Grade premiership: 2002/2003

Sunday, 6th April, 2003 will go down as a monumental day in the Club's 30-year history. On that day, we were to become, for the first time, the custodians of the WH Mitchell Cup. The headlines should have read WH Mitchell Cup finally reaches the west!" We had achieved what many before had been unable to do - our first Third Grade Competition. The Club had won the last piece of silverware on offer by the Sydney Cricket Association. A team of Champions? No, a champion team!

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/330/penrith-cricket-club/blog/3203/cosi-to-the-rescue-penrith-cricket-club-3rd-grade-premiership-20022003

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