Mark Tranter - own the deal like your life depended on it
North West Sydney Hurricanes Cricket Club | September 08, 2023
Mark Tranter is a Life Member of North West Sydney Cricket Club and won the 1998/99 Eric Green Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Club Service.
Mark first joined club in 1982 when it was known as Wentworthville/Blacktown District Cricket Club in the Sydney Shires competition and played 207 games for the club.
He’s a multiple first grade premiership winner for the club and scored 4,222 runs and took 145 catches, 14 stumping’s and involved in 26 run outs.
Mark is now playing Over 50s Veterans Cricket for Newcastle and Hunter District Cricket Club
Let’s find out more about Mark’s journey in the game
Mark in the Newcastle and Hunter District Over 50s cricket team after defeating Cessnock
What year you were born?
1966
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Under 10s for Kenthurst. Can’t remember the 1st game but I do remember our side wasn’t very good. Early in the season we were all out for 11. Extras were 9. I got 1. My Dad played for Kenthurst.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Played half a season for Kenthurst in U10s. Moved to St Georges Basin on the South Coast U12’s and U 14’s. We moved back to Sydney and played U16’s for Wentworthville Waratahs and then U16’s again for Merrylands RSL with all my school mates. Merrylands High was a passionate Cricket school. Began playing with Wentworthville/Blacktown District Shires in 1982 who became Holroyd DCC until they merged with Baulkham Hills Shires and became North West Sydney Cricket Club and ended up playing Sydney Masters for a few years.
Moving to Newcastle 7 years ago I played a couple of seasons with West Wallsend Workers in the C & S competition. After having a couple of years away from the game, this season I began playing Veterans Cricket with Newcastle District after a chat with President Stephen Leathley.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
I began my turf cricket career with Wenty Shires in 1982. I was 16 and still in Year 10 at school. The club invited schools from the area to compete in an after-school competition (25 overs). It was a success as it brought a new group of juniors into turf cricket. Some of these guys I’m still in contact with today.
At what age did you make your first-grade debut in Shires cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
In my 2nd year I found myself as part of a club youth policy in 1st grade. I was 17. We were up against Auburn, and I was batting 4. We lost a couple of wickets early and Dave Harvey was fired up on a lively deck at Mona Park. I’m sure many will remember Dave and he didn’t care how old you were. I think I managed 4 that day 2 x 2 edges through slips.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I started as a batsman and after a couple of years took up the gloves when our keeper got injured. Depending on what grade I played depended on whether I was the wicket keeper or not. Was definitely the 2nd keeper in 1st grade for the first few years and looking back I should’ve worked harder on my game. I enjoyed keeping as I loved being in the action. My batting was up and down and mentally could have done better.
What were your strengths as a player?
I loved the battle on the field. I was a team man and got a lot out of our shared success.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
138 not out for Holroyd Shires (formerly Wentworthville DCC) at Roseville Chase.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
In the 1992/93 Final I took 5 for 8 bowling off spin. We scored 105 and Baulkham Hills were 0/50 all out for 75. The wicket at Monty Bennett that day was, let us say tricky.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Dave Harvey from Auburn - as mentioned earlier for all out aggression and pace.
Dave Webb from Macquarie University – Webby would constantly hit the seam on that hard Mac Uni wicket.
Richard Tregeagle from Burwood - great competitor, gave nothing away and with Gerard Price from the other end they made life difficult.
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Peter Daley from Linfield – left arm finger spinner. Bowled a very consistent length over a long time and Dales knew how to build pressure. Was an absolute champion fella to have a beer with after the game.
Tom Wood at Auburn – Post his time at Parramatta in 1989/90 I remember Tommy demolished us in a semi at Monty Bennett. His skill and the pressure he created was next level.
Steve Moss played with us in the mid 1990s after his grade career concluded. Left arm slow bowler who had a great arm ball that troubled endless bats. Mossy was a tad competitive, and I enjoyed being the behind stumps with him bowling.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Peter Toohey at Linfield – Toohey scored a couple of hundreds against us over the years. It was his timing once he got going. Didn’t need to manufacture runs. Always made a point of coming over to you if you’d played a good innings against Linfield on the day.
Bart Pozuelo at Burwood – I think one year in the mid-1980s scored 900 plus runs and no one could get him out. Also, great bowler and a champion bloke.
Craig Haworth at Strathfield was another ex-grade player in shires. Again, I recall his timing being exceptional.
Peter Toohey
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
We played Linfield at Linfield Oval in about 1994/95 and skipper Glen Curtis made 100 against a very good attack.
Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Most decent bowlers would be a problem for me.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used?
Gary Bensley was playing for Epping in the 1990s. His intensity and standards he set in the field with his own side. Most ex-grade players increased the Shires standard.
Gary Bensley
Can you name an administrator you worked with during your time?
Dave Tribolet the Shires president from Auburn – Dave’s longevity and commitment to Sydney Shires was the man who represented all clubs. A great man as many people who knew him would agree and the reason why the competition has done so well.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Ian Hinton – a bowling allrounder who played with us in the 1970 and 80s when I was young. “Shagga” never gave up – ever. He was dirty when we lost a game.
Tommy Garland (40yrs plus) opened the batting for us in the 1980s when we were strong. He was a tough nuggety left hander. I remember him playing a straight drive one day and saying to the bowler – “well bowled son” as the ball whistled back past the bowlers ears for 4.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Bob Black – Bob was conscious of getting the best out of his players as individuals. You’d often get a phone call during the week and he’d talk about the team and the up-and-coming game. This made you feel inclusive. On the field I remember he’d walk up and stand next the stumps to make a field change. Maybe a passive aggressive approach. He was a leader and backed it up with 10,000 runs for our club. After the game Bob was just Bob. He was also a great baseball player too.
Who has been your funniest teammate?
Andrew Gokel (we call him Viv)
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Holroyd vs Roseville at Monty Bennett and Captain Curtis brings Andrew Gokel on to bowl. Gokel was a slow bowler with fingers down the seam. Movement was limited but did skid the ball on from time to time depending on the track.
I was keeping this particular day and the batter blocked his first 6 balls not knowing Andrew’s skill level. Next over same batter faces and blocks the 1st ball again. Gokel walks down the pitch to pick up the ball and with a big grin on this face says to the batter “you do know they smack me at training” – it was hilarious. Next ball OUT - bowled.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
I opened the batting in 2nd grade one day at Lance Hutchinson Oval vs Canterbury. First ball of the game I missed it, clean bowled. Our no.3 that day and one my best mates Steve Doherty walking passed me said – “how’s the wicket playing mate” teammates heard it all and we went on to score 280. I copped plenty.
Who was your childhood hero?
Personally, my Dad and both my grandfathers. If we are asking about cricketers Dennis Lillee and Viv Richards. I’ve always wondered about Viv dominating batting in today’s game.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Cathy Freeman 1st – what she achieved under pressure in 2000 was massive. Most humble sports person ever in my opinion.
From the US, I’d say Shaquille O’Neal. He’s a beast with a great sense of humour.
Adam Gilchrist.
Cathy Freeman
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Adam Gilchrist, Isa Guha, Kerry O’Keefe, Michael Vaughan from today’s bunch.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
It would be remiss of me not to say Monty Bennett, Wentworthville – or as we called it “the Handkerchief.”
Monty Bennett Oval
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Probably Burwood – no guarantee of a win but when we did it was worth it. I remember we won the Club Championship in the late 1980s and standing on a table at the Briars singing “We are the Champions” with Paul Price from Burwood. I think they won 2nd grade.
What’s been your most memorable time in cricket?
In the 1980s our club had great success. We won several premierships across all grades including the Club Championship a couple of times. I managed to play cricket with my best mates and as a club we were very tight. It was hard cricket and I think you’ll find premierships were shared so the competition remained strong. Ex Grade players started to come into Shires in the late 1980s and by 1995 most clubs had enlisted an ex-grade player. It was a great time.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Wow... that’s tough, more recently our Newcastle Veterans side claimed victory over our mates from Cessnock in the final at Charlestown. Bragging rights for 12 months. (Sorry Brendo)
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Can I name 5? – Bob Black, Tommy Garland, Andrew Gokel, Glen Curtis and Steve Doherty. Enough entertainment for a lifetime.
You’re now playing over 50s cricket, what the best part of playing veterans cricket and what advice would you offer anyone over 50 who is thinking about playing again?
The best part is the quality of people, the standard of cricket is very good, and we still play on turf. If your skills are good enough, you can play a higher level in Division 1 carnivals and from there you may have a chance at NSW selection. Personally, I’ve been bumping into players from when we were in our 20s and getting up to speed as to what they are doing nowadays.
We play every 2nd Sunday, and the commitment is not over the top. We had a guy join our side this year who hadn’t played for 30 years. In the Final he took a great catch and was on cloud nine after the game. He said he didn’t think he’d ever enjoy sport ever again.
Finally, at a recent carnival Matt Lewis was the captain of the side I played in. He talked about men’s mental health and what veteran’s cricket means to all players from different backgrounds. Cricket is a great leveller. His comments were well received and re-affirms the type of folk involved in Vets Cricket.
My advice is if you really enjoy the game give it a go.
What are your hobbies?
At present we are renovating and mixed in with cricket this takes most of my time here in Newcastle when I’m not working. Would like to play golf again one day.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
“Own the deal like your life depended on it” – it relates back to so much.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Absolutely, I’m enjoying my time with Newcastle/ Hunter O50’s Veterans. Hope to be part of this for a while and help grow the game at the Veterans level.
