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Q: Who played the best innings you've seen in a game you played?
A: The best innings I witnessed first-hand was by Malcolm Grant. He played for Roseville Cricket club between 1963 and 2001...later to be heralded as a Legend of Sydney Shires cricket.
But on the 28th October 1971 in the then A Shires Competition (now referred to as 1st Grade Shires) v Wentworthville Blacktown at their ground below the Great Western Highway, I recall some anxiety for passing cars .
That day he made 130 in around 89 minutes, and I was his very fortunate batting partner from 2.03 pm to 3.25pm- during which time the score advanced 176 runs and eventually to a total of 349.
Mal will always be remembered as one of the most attractive but dynamic batsman in Shires. That afternoon he was at his best with purely timed cover drives on the up and what seemed from the bowlers end deftly struck lofted straight hit shots over the bowler – two sixes out of the ground over the southern hillside.
Every ball seemed to be an opportunity for runs all around the wicket. An yet he was no basher, he played his cricket the way Roger Federer finessed his tennis...with a silken touch and timing to die for.
If ever there was an example of crickets enduring art, which was so well portrayed and sublimely related by Sir Robert Menzies (featured in the 100th Wisden 1963)- it was Mal's innings that day...
Mal was to play for Roseville until 2002 eventually aggregating over 10,000 runs...the most for the Club. A club with such a proud contribution and for which I am happy to relate is now the subject of a two volume beautifully produced Roseville Cricket Club History. Staring down the years
Volume one 1918/19 to 1978 /79 (282 coloured bound pages) -Limited print is available now
Volume two 1979 to 2023 will be available soon and you can contact me or the Club
But on the 28th October 1971 in the then A Shires Competition (now referred to as 1st Grade Shires) v Wentworthville Blacktown at their ground below the Great Western Highway, I recall some anxiety for passing cars .
That day he made 130 in around 89 minutes, and I was his very fortunate batting partner from 2.03 pm to 3.25pm- during which time the score advanced 176 runs and eventually to a total of 349.
Mal will always be remembered as one of the most attractive but dynamic batsman in Shires. That afternoon he was at his best with purely timed cover drives on the up and what seemed from the bowlers end deftly struck lofted straight hit shots over the bowler – two sixes out of the ground over the southern hillside.
Every ball seemed to be an opportunity for runs all around the wicket. An yet he was no basher, he played his cricket the way Roger Federer finessed his tennis...with a silken touch and timing to die for.
If ever there was an example of crickets enduring art, which was so well portrayed and sublimely related by Sir Robert Menzies (featured in the 100th Wisden 1963)- it was Mal's innings that day...
Mal was to play for Roseville until 2002 eventually aggregating over 10,000 runs...the most for the Club. A club with such a proud contribution and for which I am happy to relate is now the subject of a two volume beautifully produced Roseville Cricket Club History. Staring down the years
Volume one 1918/19 to 1978 /79 (282 coloured bound pages) -Limited print is available now
Volume two 1979 to 2023 will be available soon and you can contact me or the Club