NSW Cricket team of 150 years

Cricket NSW | June 20, 2024

In January 2007 Cricket NSW Honorary Research Librarian Colin Clowes launched his book, “150 Years of NSW First Class Cricket. A Chronology.”

As part of the book launch Colin Clowes also selected his NSW team of the 150 years.

NSW made their first-class debut against Victoria at the MCG in 1856 and they won by 3 wickets and up until their 150th year have gone on to win the Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup on 44 occasions. The most successful first-class cricket team in Australia. 

The quality of the team is undoubted as is the quality of the players who missed selection.

As we understand the selection process excluded players who did not make their first-class debut for NSW. It meant Keith Miller and Neil Harvey, both of whom were selected in the Australian Test team of the Century were not considered for selection as they both made their first-class debuts for Victoria. It also meant NSW highest ever run-scorer Michael Bevan was not considered as he made his first-class debut for South Australia.

It was also deemed Australian Cricket legends Allan Border and Adam Gilchrist would not be considered at they played most of their careers for Queensland and Western Australia respectively. Gilchrist played 10 first-class games for the Blues but did not keep wickets.

Here is the team selected by Colin Clowes, no 12th man has been nominated although Clowes did suggest there would be two contenders.

1. Arthur Morris
2. Bob Simpson
3. Don Bradman
4. Victor Trumper
5. Charlie Macartney
6. Steve Waugh
7. Billy Murdoch – Wicket Keeper
8. Richie Benaud
9. Alan Davidson
10. Ray Lindwall
11. Charles Turner
12. Bill O’Reilly

Clowes suggested 12th man duties would be between Benaud and Lindwall.

The most notable omission and the unluckiest player not to be selected must have been Australian fast Bowler Glenn McGrath who took 563 Test Wickets for Australia. It would seem McGrath non-selection was due to only playing 26 first-class games for NSW despite having played over 124 Test matches.

The CEO of Cricket NSW at the time of the 150-year celebration, David Gilbert, was quoted as saying:

“But I think if you hear those names, it's very difficult to argue with anyone who has been named in that 12," Gilbert said. 

"It's, unfortunately, one of those trends today that a Glenn McGrath didn't play for NSW as much as he would have liked."

Clowes also commented "Probably the hardest one to leave out was Glenn McGrath," 

Other notable omissions include Mark Waugh, Mark Taylor, Alan Kippax, Doug Walters, NSW two highest wicket takers Geoff Lawson and Greg Matthews and wicket keeper Phil Emery who at the time of writing, still holds the record for the most number of dismissals.  

A difficult selection task and like most selection meetings, there's always a debate and a differing of opinions.