The Magic of Cricket - Andrew Reddich
Andrew Reddich | June 08, 2023
I was born in 1968 and my first game of cricket was in primary school 1976/77. I practiced so hard at home and I was ready to go.
I was handed the little red cork ball that friday afternoon when I was asked to bowl and I rubbed the ball all over my white stubbie shorts, which gave me the red stain of honour, just like on the legends on the ABC. As I looked at the mat covered concrete pitch in front of me, it meant this was the real thing, I was ready for business.
Unfortunately I bowled everywhere except on the mat, ten minutes of wides later, I thought, why is this so hard?
Later that year my team went on to walk around the Gabba, when the Aussies were playing West Indies. I’ll never forget the incredible aww of this experience, including a tour of the indoor nets, alongside the Sam Trimble cricket shop.
Local club summer cricket came along with most of our players also playing winter soccer.
It wasn’t long before I started scoring and developing skills after studying a Chappell training book, and having a thousand throw downs by Dad and other parents before my first representative team was selected and off to Coffs Harbour we went. Many of the guys on that trip, I still play cricket with and against and keep in touch with 40 plus years later.
John Waldren, Ken Healy, Graham Fox, Ken Jackson and his father (coach) and my first Greg Chappell purchases through their representative Bill Jackson.
Life as a young teenager revolved around the gentleman’s game, backyard cricket, indoor cricket, beach cricket, summer holidays and channel 9, going to the internationals at the Gabba and waiting hours for autographs.
In 1984/85 I was captain our high school team, as a bowler and opening bat and then played for Easts fifths. The next season was when I took the wicket keeping gloves for the very first time.
It was great fun although I still wasn’t concerned about taking the game much further other than making friends and taking Rod Marsh specials.
Moving onto thirds at Easts in Brisbane, I was called up to keep when half way through the season, Qld under 19’s representative duties called up our first grade keeper Darren Playell. This opened the door for me to experience some of the quickest bowling I’d kept too and faced. I also got to see some incredible batting from behind the stumps.
Watching Robbie Kerr first hand hit a double ton made me realise I maybe a little out of my depth, after I spilled a tough grab earlier off him. I got hooked next game, my confidence was shot and reality set in.
Time for next passion, now to start chasing girls instead.
I married young and soon my attention was directed towards my two young boys and a young girl, and I introduced and coached them into all sports.
They all loved cricket, both boys went on to play representative cricket and were gifted at any sport they played.
Our local Loganholme Cricket Club became a place where my most memorable cricket moments were created.
After parenting and coaching my two boys and getting the opportunity to play senior grade cricket with them topped it all off. There is no better banter, sledging, or encouragement then with your own flesh and blood.
My oldest boy after playing first grade at Loganholme became a huge legacy for so many and still does after unexpectedly losing him in a drowning accident.
The spirit of this magical game has taken me onto an amazing journey.
When I was at my lowest, my extended cricket family grew to empower me.
This is when I realised that cricket was much more than a game, it was a tool of friendships, and a magic that can’t be described. Giving strength to so many, a sense of peace, acceptance. Where titles mean nothing, everyone’s story can be shared and everyone has a sense of unique manly love, empathy and support that really can’t be found in any other environment.
I became a very accomplished level 2 umpire and umpired 300 plus games.
Through my umpiring contacts I was introduced to representing the Qld Cricketers Club, touring and playing (until Covid) all over the Eastern States with some of the games greats, and facilities, Lew Cooper, Gill Chapman to name a few.
Then the passion for Over 50s cricket came to me with Qld selection and National titles held in Sydney with a team of lads that had never heard of me, but after one of the greatest tours ever, a week later, thanks to Paul Stenhouse everyone in Sydney knew the Big Show.
Regional 50’s games continued and 18 months of dominance with the first Gold Coast team we faced off against my old Qld team mates Brisbane Maroons.
Since then the Brisbane boys have held the State number one title for 2 years.
We then went on to another memorable tour in Perth for the National 50’s Championships along with many Qld players. We had the privilege of visiting and playing some backyard cricket on the hollowed WACA pitch with tennis balls and rackets.
There was an action picture of the “big Show” on the big screen at Optus Stadium in front of all my peers, that’ll do me.
Just Golden Moments
So in conclusion
Juggling 40’s and summer grade cricket, winning premierships, Qld Cricketers tours, winter seasons of more 50’s regional seasons, a little umpiring on the side, then state selections and more tours, including Qld v NSW Cooper Finlay tournaments, I’m seeing more cricket in my golden years than I have ever done as a junior, teenager, or young man.
I think I speak for all, that have got the cricketing bug, the ones that know that it’s more than a game, even after three knee operations, I’ll never miss a game or training ..
It’s because you may miss that opportunity to share that magic, which is more than the game we know simply as a cricket..
Bring on another 20 years
Always remembering…
Ben (Benny Boy) Reddich
Peter (Shermo) Sherman
