North Melbourne Cricket Club Team of the Century
Greenvale Kangaroos Cricket Club | September 28, 2023
In December 1999, a panel of former North Melbourne Cricket Club players and administrators sat down to select a North Melbourne Cricket Club team of the century. Five hundred and twelve players in all, from Ernie Bean's team of 1900, to the team which Earl Eddings led on to the Albert Ground for the final match of 1999 have represented this club during the past one hundred years. Whilst debate will always rage when any team is selected, here are the twelve truly great players selected.
Hugh T. Baring (Capt.)
Hugh was an inspirational leader, a man who was both loved and feared by his players. An attacking middle-order right-hand bat, Baring made his debut in 1923-24 and played 209 matches, representing Victoria in 1929-30 season. Hugh also served as club President, VCA Delegate, Chairman of the Pennant Committee and state selector.
John C. Watters
'Jack' to all at North was an aggressive right-handed opening batsman who first appeared in 1940/41and became the third highest run scorer in the club's history with 6,174 runs in 211 matches. Together with Bob Dempster, he formed a formidable opening partnership for many seasons until 1952-53.
Robert A. Dempster
Left-handed opening batsman and right-arm medium-fast opening bowler who is the club's all-time leading run scorer with 7,599 runs in 231 matches. Also holds the club record for runs in a season with 904 runs in 1943-44. Six-time winner of the club's batting average, Bob also won the bowling average three times, taking 316 career wickets. Bob represented Victoria from 1934 to 1941.
Richard I. Maddocks
The NMCC Club Championship was named after this great player. Winner of the club's batting average a record ten times, including seven times in eight seasons. The younger brother of Len, Dick debuted in 1943-44 and scored 7,402 runs (2nd behind Dempster) in 224 games before retiring in 1964-65. Dick represented Victoria from 1948 to 1957.
George S. Meikle
Another player from the club's strongest era of the 1940s. George was a genuine all-rounder who won the club batting on two occasions and the bowling once. A right-arm leg break bowler and right-handed middle order bat who represented Victoria from 1937 to 1941.
George E. Tribe
The last man to win both the NMCC batting and bowling in the same season (1945-46), George was a back of the hand left-arm spinner who also bowled orthodox. George represented Australia in three Test matches in 1946-47 before heading to England to play County cricket. During this time, he 'did the double' (100 wickets and 1,000 runs) seven times in nine seasons. WG Grace achieved the feat eight times in his career.
Leonard V. Maddocks
Len was selected in the team as wicketkeeper-batsman. He first appeared at Arden Street in 1942-43 and soon made a name for himself at club, State and Test level as a competent gloveman and batsman. Len holds the club record for matches (237 over 31 years) and dismissals (369). Len also went on to become a member of the ACB and managed the Australian team that toured England in 1977.
Joseph M. B. White
Joe White rates as the fourth highest wicket taker in the club's history, winning the bowling average on six occasions. Joe was a right-arm opening bowler and master of swing and seam and debuted in 1937-38 capturing 393 wickets in 185 games.
Richard C.A.M. McCarthy
'Bandit' was a right-arm fast medium bowler who despised batsmen. Richard claimed 254 wickets in 111 matches and won the 1988-89 Ryder Medal. Richard represented Victoria from 1984 to 1990.
Kenneth N. Pearce
Ken Pearce opened the bowling for many years with his medium-fast right armers and, with 472 wickets, is the leading wicket-taker in the club's history. Ken won the club's bowling on four occasions. As a tail-end batsman, Ken believed in having a go, and loved to loft the ball onto the grandstand roof.
John V. Saunders
'Jack' was a tall, lean man with a large moustache who bowled left arm slow-medium pace, spinning the ball viciously from around the wicket. Jack took 79 wickets for Australia in just 14 Tests, including nine in his first match in Sydney in 1901. Jack played just 25 matches over 5 seasons for NMCC.
Peter J Cox 12th Man
A great clubman, Peter was Club Champion on four occasions. An orthodox left-arm spin bowler and capable middle order bat who won both batting and bowling averages at North. Making his senior debut in 1971 as a seventeen-year-old, Peter went on to play 158 games with NMCC and represented Victoria from 1977 to 1983.
