Stories

last year

Fairfield Liverpool Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

3 Likes
7 Followers

Brett Lack - a whole lot of fun

Brett Lack has played all his cricket with a simple motto, “to have fun and entertain” and he's done so wherever he's played.

He’s played first grade in Sydney and is the proud owner of First Grade Cap# 38 for Fairfield Liverpool Cricket Club. Brett has also spent time playing in the UK and USA and last season he made a comeback, “it’s important to give something back to the game.”

Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?

Grant Lambert just coz he is a freak and Bill York, without this bloke I wouldn’t have kept playing. Bill is the best person I have met through cricket.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/397/fairfield-liverpool-cricket-club/blog/1353/brett-lack-a-whole-lot-of-fun

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last year

Steve Frances

Brisbane, Australia

4 Likes
3 Followers

In February 1978, a team of cricketers from the Campbelltown area, undertook a 17-day tour of New Zealand. The team included 5 players with Sydney grade experience, and most came from the local Campbelltown competition. The team and matches were organised during weekly “meetings” at the Campbelltown Tennis Club (now Wests Tigers Tennis Club).

The tour was 7 matches played against working men’s clubs, as well as matches against the Wellington and Northern Districts B sides.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/207/steve-frances/blog/1352/packer-poohrsquos-1978-cricket-tour-of-new-zealand

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last year

Pembroke Cricket Club Dublin

Dublin, Ireland

1 Likes
0 Followers

Pembroke Cricket Club celebrated their 50 year anniversary win over Malahide Cricket Club in the 1972 Leinster Senior Cup

Back Row L to R: M. Moriarty, R.O. Byrne, A.V. Smith, J.G. Byrne, R. Young, G. Mellon

Front Row L to R: G. Powell (12th man), R.A. Moulton, W.H. Hill, T.A. Parker (Captain), D.H. Byrne, K.W. Hope

In July 2022 Pembroke Cricket Club, Dublin celebrated the 50 year anniversary of their 1972 Leinster Senior Cup win against Malahide Cricket Club.

In one of the most thrilling low scoring affairs in history, Pembroke scraped home by just one wicket.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/305/pembroke-cricket-club-dublin/blog/161/pembroke-cricket-club-celebrated-their-50-year-anniversary-win-over-malahide-cricket-club-in-the-1972-leinster-senior-cup

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last year

NSW Veterans Cricket

New South Wales, Australia

10 Likes
51 Followers

“I wished I’d been a little more patient”.

These are the words of Matt Lewis who was selected in the Australian Over 50s Cricket team to play at the Over 50s Cricket World Cup in South Africa in March 2020. Sadly for Matt and all participants Covid cut short the World Cup after just 2 games.

Growing up in Chullora, Matt had plenty of sporting talent. He was playing cricket for Bankstown Cricket club in the Sydney Grade Cricket Competition and had been spotted by Rugby League Coach Warren Ryan and his school’s sports master as a talented number 6.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/168/nsw-veterans-cricket/blog/1350/matt-lewis-be-patient

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last year

Tony Goodfellow

Ballina, New South Wales, Australia

5 Likes
0 Followers

Leading all-rounders in the history of ACT Cricket

The list of statistically the best all-rounders in ACT first grade cricket highlights, what a wonderful player Greg ‘G.I’ Irvine was. (Greg Irvine pictured)

On his day Greg Irvine’s batting could tear an attack apart and his bowling was pretty handy as his five wickets in a PM XI match is testimony to that.

Three names in the top five in Lyle Maloney, Lorne Lees and Bill Tickner dominated Canberra cricket in the early days.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/212/tony-goodfellow/blog/1349/leading-all-rounders-in-the-history-of-act-cricket

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last year

Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club Sydney

Sydney, Australia

16 Likes
25 Followers

Record Run Chase Sets Up Easts Cricket Record Season

In 2003 the greatest run chase in the history of Premier Cricket was achieved by the Eastern Suburbs (Waverley) Cricket Club and became the launch pad for the club’s most successful first grade season.

The game took place at Waverley Oval on 11 and 18 October against the powerful Western Suburbs Cricket Club led by future Australian test captain, Michael Clarke. Both sides were brimming with talent. The Easts team included three players who were to go on to represent their country with distinction. James Marshall for New Zealand, Brad Haddin for Australia and a 16 year old tyro, David Warner. There were also three other players with first class experience. To add to the international flavour the flamboyant “crooked finger of doom” Billy Bowden, test umpire, officiated.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/319/eastern-suburbs-cricket-club-sydney/blog/1347/record-run-chase-sets-up-easts-cricket-record-season

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last year

St George Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

53 Likes
54 Followers

St George “in between balls” with Jeremy Bray

We take this opportunity to catch up with some of our esteemed former first grade legends to find out more about them and their time with The Saints.

Its the charismatic Jeremy Bray, a true cricketing journeyman who went from winning a premiership with St George to playing in the 2007 Cricket World Cup for Ireland

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/275/st-george-cricket-club/blog/554/st-george-ldquoin-between-ballsrdquo-with-jeremy-bray

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last year

John Rogers

Melbourne, Australia

23 Likes
7 Followers

Until Brian Taber arrived, Australian wicket keepers might have been best in the world, but by no stretch of the imagination were they pretty.

His predecessors mostly had been short and squat, some balding, and often quite rotund practitioners, disinterested in how they looked - think Don Tallon, Gil Langley, Wally Grout, Barry Jarman. My goodness they were good - and when he joined their company, Brian Taber was every bit as good. Known as "Herby" to a select few, he beat many renowned keepers to be named in the NSW team of the Millennium.

Yet without being showy, Tabbsy brought style and grace to the art of wicket-keeping. What he added to that dark art was that he personified Australia of the swinging sixties.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/531/john-rogers/blog/1345/brian-taber-quotswinging-sixtiesquot-keeper

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last year

Mosman Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

15 Likes
28 Followers

Lower Grades keep the Faith – Mosman Cricket Club 3 December 2001

A diabolical weekend for Mosman’s first XI was somewhat offset by continuing improvement from the club’s lower grades.

The addition of The Rawalpindi Express – Shoaib Akhtar – to the Mosman attack was not enough, although Shoaib has impressed in his first two games for the Whales.

Shoaib has fitted in well and is enjoying his time at the Mosman Club.

“I am also learning more about Australian conditions, which is important for me” he said. “Only on Sunday, one of the lower grade bowlers, James Sinclair, showed me some balls I had never seen before.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/340/mosman-cricket-club/blog/1344/lower-grades-keep-the-faith-ndash-mosman-cricket-club-3-december-2001

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last year

Kim Evetts

Financial Planner

Mackay, Queensland, Australia

6 Likes
2 Followers

Is it time to revamp the Sheffield Shield and first class cricket in Australia

Being passionate about cricket and in particular the ongoing production of quality cricketers to represent Australia I think it is time to reconsider the Sheffield Shield format.

I personally still believe Shield Cricket should be the only selection ground for future Australian test players.

My observation is the public have also lost all interest in attending Sheffield Shield matches.

Getting backsides on seats again will obviously be good for the game financially and motivating for our players and perhaps possibly less incentive for players to target franchise cricket.

First class cricket in Australia needs to be escalated back to its previous heights as the production factory for future high quality Australian Cricketers and as a spectacle of choice for supporters. (I don’t believe we should say it is too hard to achieve)

It also must be more motivating for First Class Cricketers to be playing in front of a large crowd then nobody at all.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/545/kim-evetts/blog/1343/is-it-time-to-revamp-the-sheffield-shield-and-first-class-cricket-in-australia

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last year

Paul Ryan

Founder

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

503 Likes
513 Followers

Phil Melville arrived in Sydney from Armidale in Northern NSW in 1989 to play Sydney Grade Cricket for Mosman Cricket Club. 34 years on and Phil continues to take wickets in both grade and veteran’s cricket.

Leading into the 2023/24 Phil has taken 710 grade wickets in Sydney. He took 440 wickets for Mosman Cricket Club and so far, has taken 270 wickets for Northern District Cricket Club.

Phil is a prominent member of Over 50s cricket in Australia and the very proud owner of NSW Blues cap number 30 and Australian Over 50s cap number 49.

Phil was selected in the Australian Over 50s World Cup team to your South Africa that was sadly cut short after a couple of games due to Covid.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/32/paul-ryan/blog/1342/phil-melville-keep-on-keeping-on

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last year

Shane Duff

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

1 Likes
0 Followers

My Best Grade team - Shane Duff 1989 to 2002

I have selected the best grade team of players I played with. I did not consider my first 6 games at Sutherland in 1989/90 which included players such as Glenn McGrath, John Dyson, Rod Davison, Justin Kenny or players that I played a handful of games with later such as Steve Waugh, Stuart McGill, Stuart Clark, Daniel McLauchlan and Daryl Tuffey.

I also left out my 5th grade game with a 15-year-old kid named Steve Smith that yielded a 280 run partnership!

In batting order:

1. Phil Jaques (Sutherland)....

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1151/shane-duff/blog/1340/my-best-grade-team-shane-duff-1989-to-2002

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1151/shane-duff/blog/1340/my-best-grade-team-shane-duff-1989-to-2002

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last year

Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club Sydney

Sydney, Australia

16 Likes
25 Followers

Josh Holt made his first grade debut for Eastern Suburbs as a wicket keeper batter on 26 October 2002.

Josh is Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club first grade player number 597.

Who was the best spinner you had the good fortune to keep to?

Without a doubt Adrian Tucker. He was a freak. Tucks had an incredible ability to not only have wicket taking deliveries but also had the skill to tie down and frustrate batsmen for long periods. He was incredibly accurate.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/319/eastern-suburbs-cricket-club-sydney/blog/1339/josh-holt-donrsquot-get-struck-by-lightning

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last year

Armidale District Cricket Association

10 Likes
8 Followers

Armidale City Public School – 10As Premiers 1981 Term 3

Back Row - Andrew Tambyraja, Alastair Piper, Ben Callcott, Milton Watts, James Ley, Darrel Brock, Nick Pearce
Front Row - Anthony (Joe) Campbell, Michael Handes, Albie Hempel, John Maclean, Renos Rologas

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last year

Cameron Vellacott

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

1 Likes
0 Followers

Brendan Nash - the road less travelled

You played for Jamaica and then the West Indies, what prompted the move and how did you adapt to living north of the equator?

Most people don’t know this, but I had virtually given up playing cricket when I moved there. After being told by the then chairman of selectors for QLD that my career was over, I moved to Jamaica to experience part of my heritage. Both my parents and sister were very proud Jamaicans and had talked about what it was like to live there. I guess I wanted to experience this for myself. Cricket was a way to help ease me into my life there.

To live there and to be accepted into the cricketing world was difficult for sure but having been through all the little life lessons to that point certainly helped me adapt more quickly. I was very fortunate to have some very good family friends in Jamaica to help me out along the way.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1150/cameron-vellacott/blog/1337/brendan-nash-the-road-less-travelled

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last year

Andrew King

Real Estate Agent

Mornington, Victoria, Australia

4 Likes
0 Followers

Adam Voigt is the President of Dromana Cricket Club in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association.

He started out in the MPCA juniors and seniors with Delacombe Cricket Club before joining Dromana as captain coach.

He then moved to Darwin and played for Waratah Cricket Club in Darwin Premier Cricket.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Winning the 1992/93 flag with Delacombe Park CC. It was a huge breakthrough moment for the club. I remember seeing old-timers in tears and knowing we’d done something pretty special.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/900/andrew-king/blog/1335/adam-voigt-enjoyed-the-big-moments

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last year

Redlands Tigers Cricket Club

Brisbane, Australia

6 Likes
4 Followers

Evan Bancroft, known to all as ‘Banger’ is a passionate Tigers man.

Starting out with Easts as a 17 year and still playing over 40’s cricket, Banger has such an infectious personality he brings a smile to all.

He can talk, in fact he does it professionally as an MC and he shares some great tales as we look back at his journey playing the game.

I was 27 years and we played Sandgate. It was a great thrill as I never thought I would get the chance to play first grade. I took 2 wickets and scored 23 not out batting 11.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/404/redlands-tigers-cricket-club/blog/286/evan-banger-bancroft-mc

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last year

Tony Goodfellow

Ballina, New South Wales, Australia

5 Likes
0 Followers

Greg Beacroft’s World Record Six Hitting Innings for Yass

In January 1979, Greg Beacroft playing for Yass first grade against Williamsdale in the Sunday competition scored 268 runs in 92 minutes at the O’Connor concrete pitch in Canberra.

The 21-year-old Beacroft, who played first grade for Western Districts in the Saturday competition, hit an amazing 29 sixes in his innings, which at the time, was reported to be an official world record.

Unfortunately, balls faced were not recorded in those days and I was told by a good mate who was playing in the match, that the innings would have been much quicker in time as some deliveries were deposited on to the bitumen surface of Barry Drive which runs past the oval. This meant that the fielder retrieving the ball had to scale a six-foot-high wire fence that bordered the road, significantly adding to the time that Beacroft batted for.

Peter O’Reilly, who was an ACT representative played in this match as well and the following is his recollection of Greg Beacroft’s innings.

“Greg was a bit dusty at the beginning of his innings as a few of his early sixes only just cleared the boundary. He was hung over from his 21st Birthday party the night before. He partnered mostly with a Yass guy by the name of Donny Douglass who played the perfect foil for Greg. Donny scored 29 singles in his score of 29 feeding Greg the strike. 29 sixes and 11 fours by Greg. There was a church service beginning across the road where Greg landed one nearly hitting a combi van on the way in and 50 minutes later again on the way out of the church grounds. It was an unbelievable innings and remember waking up the next morning to hear it on the national news with Keith Miller calling for Greg to be added to the Australian team against England.”

Sadly, Greg passed away a few years ago from cancer, however, his innings briefly made him a cricketing celebrity, with radio interviews locally and internationally, while his record stood till October of 2017, when Josh Dunstan hit forty sixes and nine fours in his innings of 307 for West Augusta against Central Stirling in the Port Augusta cricket association.

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last year

Mark Atkinson

Real Estate Agent

Sydney, Australia

9 Likes
0 Followers

Steve Nikitaras was a left-arm fast bowler who represented both NSW and Western Australia.

A late starter to the game Steve possessed incredible natural talent and quickly progressed through the ranks and played 4 first-class game and 14 one day games.

It’s been quite the cricket journey for Steve and he shares some raw insights and most memorable moments

When I finally got picked in an NSW squad, it was massive and I can honestly say it was enough. I don’t see the same value these days in players and I think players don’t appreciate it to the degree we did. Maybe I have that wrong but I doubt it.

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last year

St George Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

53 Likes
54 Followers

Part 2 - The history of St George District Cricket Club 1931-32 to 1940-41

The St George District Cricket Club boasts a proud history which has now extended beyond a century.

When the club entered the first-grade competition in 1921-22, few could have predicted the success and prestige that would accompany it in the ensuing century. As the club celebrates its centenary of first grade across the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons there is an opportunity to celebrate many of the outstanding performances and moments that have occurred.

With this in view, it was decided to compile a list of 100 moments in 100 years.

Here's Part 2

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/275/st-george-cricket-club/blog/1332/part-2-the-history-of-st-george-district-cricket-club-1931-32-to-1940-41

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Armidale City Public School – 10As Premiers 1981 Term 3

Back Row - Andrew Tambyraja, Alastair Piper, Ben Callcott, Milton Watts, James Ley, Darrel Brock, Nick Pearce
Front Row - Anthony (Joe) Campbell, Michael Handes, Albie Hempel, John Maclean, Renos Rologas

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Armidale City Public School – 10As Premiers 1981 Term 3 Back Row - Andrew Tambyraja, Alastair Piper, Ben Callcott, Milton Watts, James Ley, Darrel Brock, Nick Pearce Front Row - Anthony (Joe) Campbell, Michael Handes, Albie Hempel, John Maclean, Renos Rologas

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Armidale City Public School – 10As Premiers 1981 Term 3

Back Row - Andrew Tambyraja, Alastair Piper, Ben Callcott, Milton Watts, James Ley, Darrel Brock, Nick Pearce
Front Row - Anthony (Joe) Campbell, Michael Handes, Albie Hempel, John Maclean, Renos Rologas