My best Grade team - Craig Hughes 1987 2003
Craig Hughes | June 07, 2023
Thinking back and trying to formulate my best Sydney first grade team, I’m finding it quite difficult as I’ve played with so many outstanding cricketers.
Playing at three different clubs, Campbelltown, Parramatta and Mosman doesn’t help as player allegiance changes somewhat, which can tamper with my selection. So to combat that I have just selected the team I’d least like to bat or bowl against at the peak of their powers.
I’ve also excluded international professionals, Winston Davis, Andrew Strauss and Junior Murray (there’s was a couple others). Great cricketers and we had a lot of fun (especially Straussy) but I simply need the room!
So here’s my best Grade team from players I had the good fortune of playing with from 1987 – 2003.
1. Brett Williams (Parramatta)
2. Tim McMahon (Parramatta)
Explosive opening duo at Parramatta and took many an opening attack apart. Fantastic backfoot players.
3. Martin Haywood (Campbelltown and Mosman) – Vice Captain - Prolific scorer, solid, good temperament and could also be devastating.
4. Michael Bevan (Campbelltown) – Bevo made batting look so easy. Invented ridiculous cricket shots, way back before it was trendy. The up and over gully or the front foot pull over the sightscreen!
5. Shane Lee (Campbelltown and Mosman) – Captain - Mr Natural, gifted all-rounder, nothing he couldn’t do on the field (or off it) should have played Test cricket with Brett, all the skills.
6. Mark England (Campbelltown) - Played first class in SA like Brett Williams. Came home and captained campbelltown. Was an excellent mentor, left arm orthodox and middle order batsman.
7. Jamie Williams (Campbelltown and Parramatta) – Wicket Keeper - was skipper in most under age NSW teams. Great hands and hard hitting bat. Very skilful.
8. Warwick Adlam (Mosman) - Consistent performer and very competitive. Wick was always at you. I also loved watching him take a tired bowling attack apart late in the day.
9. Brett Lee (Mosman) - One of Australians all-time great fast bowlers. I was at the MCG with Shane and Andrew Yates when he was presented with his baggy green, very special.
10. Phil Alley (Mosman) - Six foot ten, left arm and fast. When he got it all together he was lethal. I gave Alby the nod over Ken Macleod at Campbelltown also left arm fast bowler and lightning quick.
11. Tommy Shiner (Campbelltown) - Our leggie and bowled an awesome flipper. Was the go to man to break a partnership and was very successful at Campbelltown.
12th man - Craig Bayldon (Parramatta) - Fantastic opening bowler at Parramatta, a wicket taker, always found a way. Quality mid/lower order batsman
Peter ‘Percy’ Philpott – Coach, Mosman - A great teacher of men. Martin Haywood and I went to his 80th birthday party and so many glowing stories from past students of Percy. He enjoyed a chat and a red wine at the Buena Vista in Mosman after the game and the wags loved him. RIP Percy.
Cameron Guthrie - Assistant Coach, Mosman - A talented cricketer, awesome fielder/keeper and very athletic. I had to make room for Cam on the touring party as he could've filled in anywhere. He subbed for the Blues on many occasions. RIP Cam.
Kevin Jackman – Manager, Mosman – “Bondy” was always on hand to provide service. He was good on the sledge, mainly directed at us and also let his assistant Chris Muldoon drive his Fairlane to pick up supplies, great fun was Bondy!
Henry – Scorer, Mosman - Dear Henry was a sweet man and one of the boys. When he sat with Dicky McCord when we played Petersham it was a sight for sore eyes. Henry has passed but will always be remembered.
