Gordon v Sutherland Round 4 1990-91 - a piece of cricket history in many ways

NSW Premier Cricket | April 12, 2024

In a recent interview Sutherland District Cricket Club featured their former first class batsman Justin Kenny.

Justin Kenny - never look back - click to read

In one of the questions Justin was asked if he’s could recall some banter or exchange on the cricket field that still makes him laugh today?

His answer:

In a game against Gordon CC we were in the field and Mark O’Neill aka Thoister was batting. I was in the box on the off side and kept counting his spits. As he was approaching 87 spits, I let him know. I can’t remember how many runs he was on, but he did to spit a lot. On the 87 spits he edged one to the slips and started giving it to me on the way off the field for counting. All jokes a side Mark was a tremendous player both with the bat and ball and a great bloke.

After reading the interview one of the players in the game, Sutherland’s wicket keeper Shane Duff shared the scorebook of the game and we very much appreciate Shane's permission to share the scorebook.

Shane remembers the game fondly as he took his first dismissal in first grade.

A. Gilchrist stumped Duff bowled Chapman 1

The scorecard makes for fascinating reading.

The game was in November 1990 and it was Round 4 in the Sydney Grade Cricket competition between Sutherland DCC and Gordon CC at the leafy Killara Oval, Gordon’s home ground.

Firstly a piece of real cricketing history, the scorebook…remember the days.

The Scorecard

From purely a cricketing perspective let’s take a look at some of the names on both teams and make a few observations.

Sutherland District Cricket Club first season in Sydney Grade Cricket was in 1965/66. Former Australian Test batsman Norm O'Neill was their inaugural first grade captain and the team included a young leg spinner Stan Gilchrist

It's worth noting Norm O'Neill's son Mark and Stan Gilchrist's son Adam both played for Gordon in this game against Sutherland

Gordon Cricket Club

Michael Cant - first grade premiership winning captain and Life Member Gordon CC

Ross Toohey - premiership winning player

Adam Gilchrist – played 96 Tests for Australia. Australia’s 41st Test Cricket captain. 416 dismissals and 5,570 runs at 47.60 including 17 centuries and won 3 World Cups.

Mark O’Neill – 76 first class games for Western Australia and NSW

Kevin Roberts – 23 first class games for NSW, former CEO of Cricket Australia and first grade premiership winning captain

Steve Day - first grade premiership winning captain

Phil Emery – one Test for Australia and 121 first class games for NSW. Life Member Gordon CC

Paul McLean - premiership winning player

John Davison – played 51 first class games for Victoria and South Australia and represented Canada in World Cup Cricket. Scored the fastest century for Canada against the West Indies.

Mark Aldridge - premiership winning player

Steve Liggins - premiership winning player

Richard Stobo – played 6 first class games for NSW and his son Charlie has followed in his footsteps as a fast bowler and plays first class cricket for Western Australia after making his debut for NSW.

Sutherland Cricket Club

Rod Davison - 39 first class games for NSW and first grade premiership winning captain

Kevin Tuite - Life Member Sutherland DCC

Geoff Coleman - Life Member Sutherland DCC. RIP

Greg Horner - Greg's son Josh recently captained Sutherland 2nd grade captain

Justin Kenny – played 4 first class games for NSW

John Dyson - 30 Tests for Australia, 156 first class games and Life Member of Sutherland DCC

Phil Weatherall - premiership winning player, Life Member of Sutherland DCC and his son Callum plays first grade for Sutherland

Anthony Clark (Tony) – premiership winning player, Life Member Sutherland DCC and is still playing with over 600 games in NSW Premier cricket

Mark Chapman – was selected in Sutherland team of their first 50 years, Life Member of Sutherland DCC

Shane Duff – first grade premiership winning player, three time premiership winning coach, assistant coach of Sri Lanka and coach of the Sydney Thunder in the BBL

Glenn McGrath – played 124 tests for Australia and took 563 wickets. Life Member of Sutherland DCC

The beauty of Sydney Grade Cricket – could we ever see something similar again.

It's worth noting Gordon won the first grade premiership in 1990/91.