Stories

last year

Dean Tuckwell

Travel Agent

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

70 Likes
20 Followers

Brisbane Grammar School First XI cricket team - 1982

Back Row – Michael Keddy, Andrew Carter, Julian Gardner, Gavin Brown, John Xavier, Christian Schatz, Angus Blackwood (team scorer)

Front Row – David Harding-Smith, Andrew Hammelmann, Phil Mooney (Captain), Ron Cochrane Esc (Coach), Scott Keddy, Richard Williamson, David Littler

The Brisbane Grammar School First XI of 1982 contained some multi-talented sportsmen:

Michael Keddy - 1st grade wicketkeeper for Souths
Andrew Carter - 1st grade batsman for Wests
Julian Gardner – rugby union flanker who played 4 rugby Tests for Australia and 20 for Italy and former coach of the Australian Sevens team
Gavin Brown - first grade batsman for Valleys and first grade rugby league winger for Wests
Christian Schatz - received a tennis scholarship from Oklahoma State University where he achieved a psychology degree and played in Queensland junior representative teams for cricket, tennis and rugby.
Andrew Hammelman - fast bowler who played Sheffield Shield for Queensland and was a Peter Burge Medallist for the best and fairest in Brisbane Grade cricket
Phil Mooney - 1st grade batsman for Western Suburbs and Wests rugby fly half and former coach of the Queensland Reds
Scott Keddy - 1st grade batsman for University of Queensland and Queensland hockey captain

View responses or answer (0)

last year

Penrith Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

18 Likes
20 Followers

The Bayliss Factor - Penrith Cricket Club 1985 -86

Perhaps one day Trevor Bayliss would look back on this season as pivotal in what was to become an illustrious career. On his way to a 500-plus run summer he was selected in the NSW Colts (versus WA) and the NSW 2nd XI (versus Victoria), but the real indicator of the selectors’ opinion of him was his selection (with Steve Small) in a NSW XI to tour Zimbabwe. In those days Zimbabwe was a genuine emerging International opponent, not the cricketing and social basket case it would become by the turn of the century.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/330/penrith-cricket-club/blog/1330/the-bayliss-factor-penrith-cricket-club-1985-86

View responses or answer (0)

last year

Bankstown District Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

10 Likes
30 Followers

Brett Elliott is Bankstown District Cricket Club first grade player number 183 after making his first grade debut at the age of 21 and during an incredibly strong and successful era at Bankstown.

Very much a team-first player Brett was a top-order batsman and a handy off-spin bowler who won multiple premierships with the Bulldogs and went on to win a first grade premiership with the Balmain Tigers.

I’d probably categorise myself as a decent 1st Grade batsman who held my own in some very good company and did okay against some quality opposition over the years. Always put the team first and played wherever picked. Predominantly a top order batsman and generally opened in 1st Grade.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/356/bankstown-district-cricket-club/blog/1329/brett-elliott-team-first

View responses or answer (0)

last year

John Rogers

Melbourne, Australia

23 Likes
7 Followers

The period from the 1950s to the 1970s was a heyday of Sydney grade cricket.

St George was clearly the team to watch, but Western Suburbs often proved to be the Saints nemesis at finals time. This was particularly so when Alan Davidson turned out for Wests, as he won finals in 59-60 and 63-64 and the 64-65 semi-final almost single-handedly. Each time he had with him a fine state bowler in Les Ellis but Davo’s exploits were telling. Each time St George was missing Brian Booth while Norm O’Neill also missed the 63-64 final as both were on their way to the 1964 Ashes in England. Wally Wellham, Ken Muller, Grahame Corling and Jim De Courcy were the pick of the Wests players in the early 60s. In the late 60s Test skipper Bob Simpson captained effectively and had Gary Gilmour, Brian Rhodes and Stuart Webster as three fine pace bowlers and a dangerous left arm tweaker in Peter Ferguson, while Bob Bartlett was a tough top-order batsman.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/531/john-rogers/blog/1317/sydney-grade-cricket-50s-to-70s-strong-opponents

View responses or answer (1)

last year

Lyall Gardner

Sydney, Australia

30 Likes
9 Followers

RECORD: 326* runs in 1986-87 by Mark O’Neill (200) / Phil Emery (127) for Gordon 2-353 declared against Fairfield-Liverpool 110 & 1-125 at Chatswood Oval in round 10 on 17-24 January 1987.

Gordon’s NSW Sheffield Shield star Mark O’Neill and batter/wicket-keeper Phil Emery came together with the score 2-27, after Fairfield-Liverpool new ball bowler, Greg Clarke, had disposed of both openers. But that was the last of the good news for the new competition entrants, as the experienced pair broke a club and Premier Cricket record as they piled on a massive undefeated 326 in 273 minutes. The hard-hitting O’Neill, son of the legendary Australian batting star Norman O’Neill, smashed 27 boundaries and two sixes in his neat 200* while Emery hit 16 fours and a six in his unconquered 127*.

Declaring at 2-353, Gordon dismissed the Lions for a paltry 110 to win by a massive 243 runs.

Emery joined O’Neill in the NSW team in 1987-88, going on to become one of the State’s most dependable batter- ‘keepers. He also played a Test match for Australia in Pakistan in 1994-95. In first-class cricket, he completed 384 dismissals while scoring 3,292 runs. O’Neill’s career in first-class cricket continued until 1990-91 when he retired as the scorer of 3,729 runs including nine centuries.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/227/lyall-gardner/blog/1315/nsw-premier-cricket-the-record-partnerships-from-1893-to-2023-the-third-wicket-record

View responses or answer (0)

last year

Paul Ryan

Founder

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

503 Likes
513 Followers

NSW Combined Catholic Colleges cricket team - 1985

Back Row – Michael Kemp (Assistant Manager), Adam Johnson, Grant Doorey, Andrew Shaw, Craig Culnane, Anthony Waddell, John Saint, Brother Bernard (Manager)
Front Row – Paul Foster, Andrew Fitzhenry, Michael Chee Quee (Vice-Captain), Paul Ryan (Captain), Brett Elliott, Stephen Dignam, Silvano Ciaschetti

View responses or answer (0)

last year

Tim Sullivan

13 Likes
0 Followers

Tom Shiner (Campbelltown), Mark Waugh (Bankstown), John Sullivan (Campbelltown) , Ian Davis (Campbelltown), Steve Waugh (Bankstown), Rod Bower (Bankstown)

Tom Shiner – 436 first grade wickets in Sydney
Mark Waugh – 128 Test matches for Australia
John Sullivan – 283 first grade wickets in Sydney
Ian Davis – 15 Test matches for Australia
Steve Waugh – 168 Test matches for Australia
Rod Bower – 13 first class matches for NSW and 11,841 first grade runs in Sydney

View responses or answer (0)

last year

Evan Bancroft

Business Owner

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

9 Likes
0 Followers

If you drive past Bottomley Park near Easts Rugby Club in East Brisbane these days you will see a tiny little brick building opposite the Norman Park train station with a few cricket nets and some large gum trees. It was once the home of the Eastern Suburbs District Cricket Club.

The clubhouse was known as the “Crab Pot” as once you got in you couldn’t get out!

It was a fantastic joint and loved by Easties all opposition players and the umpires as well. It was the good old days when after matches meant having a beer with the opponents.

It was actually the unofficial umpire’s clubhouse. Popular umpire Mel Johnson played for Easts before becoming one of our greatest ever test umpires and he may well have started the tradition.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/233/evan-bancroft/blog/1026/the-story-of-the-crab-pot

View responses or answer (0)

last year

Penrith Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

18 Likes
20 Followers

Phil Blizzard - Penrith Cricket Club first grade player number 73

One of the useful factors in any bowling ‘balance’ set-up is the presence of a left-arm new ball bowler, either quick, a swing merchant, or both if you’re lucky.

Early on Penrith’s best were Ken Hall and Graeme Pitty, and in the lower Grades Steve Hider.

Tasmanian Phil Blizzard, wife Alice and daughter Rachel came to the Club on the back of a friendship with Steve Small, one forged when Steve was down south trying to break into the First-class scene. They liked it so much they stayed long enough to add two more to the family, Brendon and Stephen. (By coincidence Steve Small has a son, Brendon.) Long enough, too, for Phil to win a spot in the NSW Sheffield Shield team. But, as well as things went, life could never be good enough to satisfy Phil’s absolute love in life: a good fishing ground. Tasmania was ‘the only place’, and his stories about the size of the mud crabs and trout were legendary.

His early potential won him U/19 selection for Tasmania and he toured Sri Lanka with the Australian U/19 team. In maturity his pace was more medium than fast, but he could swing the ball in and away from the batsman. Ken Hall said: “What a great bowler. Many times the batsmen just didn’t know what he was doing”. He had that wonderful attribute of breaking the back of a batting order: in two seasons he six times took more than five wickets in an innings, the best 7/62 against Sydney. There was also the occasion when he took 6/13 against Campbelltown, who were 9/23 in reply to Penrith’s 179. Unbelievably, Phil failed to receive the umpires’ nomination for the player of the match. That went to an opposing batsman who was … seven not out!

He could bowl long spells in trying conditions and was a handy low-order batsman. For Penrith he scored 192 runs @ 17.45 and took 76 wickets @ 20.23; 13 catches. First-class (Tasmania/NSW): scored 569 runs @ 15.37, highest score 51 and took 63 wickets @ 40.44, best 4/62.

View responses or answer (0)

last year

Carrum Cricket Club

Mornington, Victoria, Australia

0 Likes
1 Followers

John Mitchell has had a long and decorated career playing premier cricket in Victoria and South Australia and has been a terrific contributor and valued member of Carrum Cricket Club

Playing for Hawthorn in Victoria Premier Cricket John played 81 1st XI games and scored 1,849 runs at 22.01 including one century and 10 half centuries.

He won a first grade premiership with Hawthorn as well as for Carrum and has scored well in excess of 3,000 runs for Carrum CC.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/1085/carrum-cricket-club/blog/1313/john-mitchell-play-in-the-arc-for-your-first-fifteen-runs

View responses or answer (0)

last year

Andrew King

Real Estate Agent

Mornington, Victoria, Australia

4 Likes
0 Followers

Powell Cooper is a legendary figure at Frankston East (Ballam Park) Cricket Club.

He played just about all his cricket at Ballam formerly Frankston East Cricket Club, taken over a 1,000 wickets, if a Life member and former President of the club.

I was lucky enough to play a game of cricket for the Victorian Schoolboys and was in awe playing against the Cavaliers. Desmond Haynes was playing with Dandenong and Malcolm Marshall was playing with Moorabin and they both played in that game. It was an amazing experience.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/900/andrew-king/blog/1312/powell-cooper-living-the-best-life

View responses or answer (0)

last year

Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club Sydney

Sydney, Australia

16 Likes
25 Followers

In 128 years of Sydney Premier first grade cricket only two players have scored more than 1000 runs and averaged over 150 in the same season. The first was the immortal Victor Trumper in 1897/98 for Paddington and the other was Geoff Boycott, playing for East’s (Waverley) in 1976/77. And only one player has scored seven centuries in a first grade season, Geoff Boycott, Waverley, 1976/77. Boycott did all this in just 15 innings. His fifteen innings also included two half centuries.

It was a phenomenal season. An exhibition of batting which has not been seen since. In 1976/77 Boycott amassed 1,160 runs at an average of 165.71, an East’s Cricket Club record that still stands today.

But first let’s go back to the beginning.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/319/eastern-suburbs-cricket-club-sydney/blog/1311/geoff-boycott-ndash-a-remarkable-season-easts-waverley-1976-77

View responses or answer (0)

last year

Cricket NSW

71 Likes
102 Followers

Vale Hedley 'Brian' Taber 29 April 1940 - 21 July 2023

Cricket NSW is deeply saddened by the passing yesterday of former Australian and NSW wicketkeeper Brian Taber. He was 83.

Born in Wagga Wagga and raised in Wollongong, Taber played his entire career with the Gordon club.

He made his first-class debut wearing cap number 526 for NSW in the 1964/65 season and went on to play 129 first-class matches prior to his retirement in 1973/74.

Taber also captained NSW on a number of occasions between 1968/69 and 1972/73.

While he scored one first-class ton and eight half centuries, it was Taber’s wicketkeeping aplomb that he was known for.

Safe and calm under pressure, Taber was considered one of Australia’s greatest ever ‘keepers. He made his Test debut behind the stumps for Australia (cap 240) against South Africa in Johannesburg on December 23, 1966, finishing the match with seven catches and a stumping.

In all, Taber represented Australia on 16 occasions between 1966 and 1970, snaring 56 catches and making four stumpings. He also scored 353 runs at a tick over 16.

Following the completion of his playing career, Taber continued his passionate association with cricket, holding several coaching and managerial roles. He managed the Australian Under 19 men’s team on several occasions and the winner of the Player of the Tournament award at the National U/19 Championships is now awarded the Brian Taber Medal.

Known as ‘Tabsy’ or ‘Herbie’, Taber coached NSW and was a Blues selector for 24 years through the 1990’s and 2000’s, many as the chairman of selectors.

Taber was made a Life Member of CNSW in 1979 and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021.

Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon called Taber ‘one of the most popular NSW and Australian players ever’,

“We are devastated by the passing of Brian Taber and send our condolences to his family and friends,” Germon said.

“His contribution to Australian cricket was immense, as a player, coach, manager and selector.

“Tabsy was universally loved for both his skill as a wicketkeeper and his character as a person.

“He was such a nice, genuine guy and he will be greatly missed by all.”

View responses or answer (1)

last year

Joe Maiorana

Sydney, Australia

40 Likes
2 Followers

Few bowlers throughout history earned themselves such an intimidating reputation as Harold Larwood. A spell spent working in the coalmines of Nottinghamshire granted him formidable powers of strength and stamina, whilst his stature, he stood just 5’8” in his socks, meant that his horrible, lightning-quick bouncer homed in on the batsman’s ribs and jaw. A hard, intensely loyal man, he was a captain’s dream, prepared to bend his back on unresponsive pitches and bowl all day, so long as there was a beer and a cigarette to hand at the interval.

He was Douglas Jardine’s weapon of choice during the infamous Bodyline tour, utilised relentlessly and instructed to bowl through a painful foot injury at the SCG because Don Bradman, the principal target behind the ‘leg theory’ strategy, was still at the crease. The hostile, short-pitched barrage Larwood and Bill Voce, his partner-in-crime for Notts and England, subjected the Australians to was so potent that a diplomatic incident ensued.

Larwood, simply by doing what he had been told to do by his famously provocative captain, was made a scapegoat for the sake of the Empire. He never played for England again, a fate that tellingly did not befall Jardine ➖ perfect evidence that there is one rule for bowlers and another for batsmen.

Injuries gradually took their toll and Larwood retired from first-class cricket in 1938. He immigrated to Sydney in 1950 and, to his immense surprise, was welcomed with open arms by a nation who recognised a steely, honest competitor when they saw one. It’s a shame the English hierarchy of the time could not say the same.

Source – Vintage Cricket

View responses or answer (0)

last year

Shane Lee

Founder

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

39 Likes
10 Followers

In the 1970s and 1980's in Australia, if you played cricket, you had a moustache, an unbuttoned shirt and skinny pants. Pre-season was a lap around the SCG and ice was used to keep the beers cold not bath in post-match. Some fashionistas even wore the occasional safari suit, baby blue: (isn't that right Stumpa?)

Steve 'Jack' Small (He/Him) was all of the above. Strong with facial hair, Mal Meninga thighs and a three-pound bat. The biggest bit of wood ever held by one man without help from a draft horse. If Jack was born in the 1800s he would have replaced his bat with an axe and cut fucking trees down. He could probably ringbark a tree with his bare hands if he wanted to - a true blue Aussie with a hard-earned thirst. He would probably even share a beer with the tree itself after he cut it down. What goes on the field, stays on the field! No hard feelings.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/538/shane-lee/blog/1308/jackball-steve-small

View responses or answer (0)

last year

St George Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

53 Likes
54 Followers

St George’s Wicket Taking Machine Calls Time – Trent Copeland, Life Member No.59

Trent finished with 410 First Class wickets. Six for Australia and 344 for NSW in the Sheffield Shield which sees him finish 12th on the all-time list of Australian bowlers and 3rd for NSW behind Geoff Lawson and Greg Matthews. Let’s not dismiss his all-round abilities. Copeland was good enough to score a shield century, 106 vs Tasmania in Hobart. He finished with 2163 First Class runs, as well as 111 catches.

For now though, family life beckons and I think we could all attest to being richer for having crossed paths with this highly competitive and multi skilled cricketer from Bathurst. Thanks for the memories “Copes” ….. and the premierships.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/275/st-george-cricket-club/blog/1307/st-georgersquos-wicket-taking-machine-calls-time-ndash-trent-copeland-life-member-no59

View responses or answer (0)

last year

St George Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

53 Likes
54 Followers

Part 1 - The history of St George District Cricket Club 1921-22 to 1930-31

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.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/275/st-george-cricket-club/blog/1306/part-1-the-history-of-st-george-district-cricket-club-1921-22-to-1930-31

View responses or answer (0)

last year

Randwick Petersham Cricket Club

Sydney, Australia

40 Likes
43 Followers

Heroes of the Ages - Ernie Toshack, a member of Don Bradman’s 1948 “Invincibles”, holds a special place in the history of Randwick Petersham Cricket. Not because of his first-class and Test cricket on-field exploits, but because he is the only cricketer to have played first-class cricket while a member of the three clubs behind Randwick Petersham – Petersham, Marrickville and Randwick.

At 29 he ventured to Sydney to play Grade Cricket. Surprisingly, his first choice club Petersham couldn’t find a spot for him and it was Marrickville where Ernie made his Grade debut – in 3rd Grade. In the only match he played in that grade, he took 10 wickets (6-40 and 4-16) against Glebe. Promoted to 2nd Grade he took 9-94 in his only game and was immediately promoted to 1st Grade where he took 7-35 in a losing 1st Grade match against University. His 6-22 to dismiss Manly for just 59 however, resulted in a resounding win for his team.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/258/randwick-petersham-cricket-club/blog/1305/ernie-toshack-randwick-petersham-cricket-club-heroes-of-the-ages

View responses or answer (0)

last year

Darren Berry

Cricket Coach

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

2 Likes
0 Followers

My best Victorian team - Darren Berry 1990 to 2004

For 15 years I was a very proud member of the Victorian Cricket team and played with many great cricketers.

It was tough process to pick my Victorian team during my time and some gun players unfortunately missed out.

So here goes, in batting order my best Victorian team from 1990 to 2004.

1. Warren Ayres
Technically correct beautiful on the eye. Should have played more games for Victoria IMO. All-time leading run scorer in Melbourne grade cricket and now doing good things in coaching field.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/978/darren-berry/blog/1303/my-best-victorian-team-darren-berry-1990-to-2004

View responses or answer (0)

last year

Dean Tuckwell

Travel Agent

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

70 Likes
20 Followers

Australian Test player number 390 gives a very modest account of his career.

Perhaps Nathan Hauritz was destined to be a cricketer having been delivered into the world by Carl Rackemann’s mother “Dragon” at The Wondai Base Hospital in 1981.

He certainly impressed as a young player representing Queensland at under 17 and 19 levels and touring England and Sri Lanka with the Australian under 19 side before attending the Cricket Academy in Adelaide.

A batting all-rounder in his early days, it was his tidy off-spin bowling that propelled him to the Queensland side in 2001 and by weight of his obvious potential and solid performances he was ultimately rewarded with an Australian one-day cap in 2002, aged 20.

An injury to Shane Warne gave Nathan a break for his Test debut in 2004 in Mumbai where he took 5 wickets in a famous victory. Test opportunities for spin bowlers were difficult to come by in the Warne and McGill era but upon McGill’s retirement in 2008 he was regularly Australia’s first choice slow bowler for a 2 year period playing his last Test in Mumbai in 2010.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/69/dean-tuckwell/blog/1302/nathan-hauritz-ldquoricky-ponting-always-found-a-way-to-instill-belief-in-me-even-when-i-didnrsquotrdquo

View responses or answer (0)

Recent Activity

Partner Sponsors

Partner Sponsors

Partner Sponsors

Partner Sponsors

Partner Sponsors

Partner Sponsors

Partner Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

Stories

Partner Sponsors

Partner Sponsors

Partner Sponsors

Partner Sponsors

Partner Sponsors

Partner Sponsors

Partner Sponsors