Dan Jackson - show the makers name
Blacktown Mounties Cricket Club | July 22, 2024
Dan Jackson is Blacktown Mounties first grade player number 63 after making his debut against Hawkesbury on 12 December 2009.
In all grades for Blacktown Dan has scored 1,224 runs at an average of 28.47 including 2 centuries and 5 half centuries.
Dan is a fitness professional and currently works for Virgin Active Health Club in Norwest and is also the head coach of Windsor Wolves Rugby League Academy.
Let’s find out more about Dan’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1989
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
First game would have been under 10s for Lynwood Park. I remember being hit on the thigh (no thigh pad) with a real ball for the first time.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I played all my juniors and senior cricket through Blacktown. Played in a lot of good junior representative and state teams along the way. As I got older I had a couple of seasons in the UK at a club in Essex called HadleIgh and Thundersley. I was very lucky both clubs I played at in my time gave me nothing but fond memories of the game.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I would have been about 15 when I first played in 5th grade for Blacktown. We were actually the first team to make the finals for Blacktown since they were accepted into the Sydney Grade Competition. We had a lot of young talent that year and a number of players went on to play 1st grade at some point
?At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I was about 19 or 20 and my debut game was against Hawkesbury at the gorgeous Owen Earle. I survived for a solid 40 odd.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I’d say a jack of all trades master of none would sum it up. Did my best work at the top order with the bat and bowled some slow medium pacers which weren’t quick enough once I started climbing the grades.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
I came back from a serious knee injury after having most of the year off and played 5th grade for Blacktown at Bensons Lane 2 and scored 215.
Dan Jackson celebrates a 100 on his way to 135 for Blacktown 4th Grade against Easts on 14 January 2017 at Trumper Park
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
My best was in a game in the UK 7/19, the opposition wasn’t the strongest but it was always a good time taking wickets.
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Daniel McLauchlan - he bowled a bloke batting before I went in during a T20 at Joe Macleer and the stump cartwheeled to the keeper.
Pat Cummins - he was only about 17 at the time and would just try and bowl as fast as possible.
When I was 14 I played a 2nd grade Park game for Lynwood. They had a left arm quick named Imran Khan at the time and he was scary. I ended up playing a few lower grade games with him years later and he wasn’t as scary.
Daniel McLauchlan bowling for Western Australia
Who has been the best three spinners you have played against?
Louis Talay- just crafty and tight. Also knew how to talk his way to a wicket.
Daniel Burns- just gave nothing away and was always spearing into my pads.
Sam Robson- long run up put me off and was consistent
Who has been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Steve Smith- we are the same age and I’ve only ever seen him score under 50 once. He is next level and it shows now.
Phil Hughes- he just had so much time and could find gaps that weren’t there.
Corey Lowe- played mostly with Corey growing up but he had everything
Steve Smith
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Playing for Blacktown I’ve seen a lot unfortunately. None really stand out for me. A lot of great players during my time.
Was there any batsman in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted their wicket?
Usman Khwaja was a cool customer nothing seemed to faze him which made him tough to get out.
Steve Smith again, probably the most competitive I’ve ever played against.
Usman Khawaja batting for Randwick Petersham
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Corey Lowe.
Who’s the player you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Nathan Sowter - just a gritty competitor who loves his cricket so much. His enthusiasm is second to none.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Probably my skipper in the UK Adam Fleming. Great man and really drove that competitiveness that a team needs
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Peter Spurr, he was just the life of the party made me laugh every weekend.
Who was your childhood hero?
Michael Bevan and Brian Lara
Michael Bevan
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Tiger Woods, Mike Tyson and Brian Lara
Brian Lara
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Michael Holding or Tony Greig
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Coogee Oval, always a good spot to have a swim after a tough day in the field.
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Parramatta and Hawkesbury were always good because I always knew a fair few of players
What did you enjoy most about playing cricket?
The mateship, the laughs and the memories made
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Winning Promotion as Champions in our English League
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
I remember we got rolled cheaply against Manly and we went out and bowled really well and won a low scoring game
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
In terms of having a beer and a catch up is a very tough choice. Josh Bridges, Rohit Ramanathan and Peter Spurr if I can only choose 3.
What are your hobbies?
I now coach Rugby League and try to play as much golf as possible. Although not very well.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Cricket wise- show the makers name. Life wise- the harder you work the luckier you get.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Not much involvement anymore. I still enjoy going back and playing the odd game during the season if I can
If you were running Cricket NSW what would be your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
I’d love to see more exposure for Grade cricket. Streaming games live now is a good start. I would love if they had more information about players as well.
Sydney Grade Cricket should also be split into 2 divisions. Top tier and 2nd tier. Have a relegation and promotion system.
With the way cricket is going I feel the 2 day game is losing a bit of its spark, it wouldn’t go down well with traditionalists but I’d love to see games have results in 1 day, similar to the timed games in the UK
