John Halligan- Getting in and helping out
Belmont District Cricket Club | July 25, 2024
John Halligan sits on the Belmont District Cricket Club's Committee and has done an excellent job in his short time at Belmont. John has two boys who play for the club (Pat and Ned). John also took out the clubman of the year in the recent season and has been a fine helper for Belmont.
Let's find out more about John and his story involving cricket.
What year were you born?
1964
What state do you live in?
NSW
When did you first start developing a love for cricket?
The early 70s when my dad took me to his games on a Saturday afternoon.
Tell us briefly about your journey in the game, where you’ve played, what clubs and how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
My 1st cricket season was in the u12s for Marist Brothers Parramatta. My 1st senior game was for the Jetty Cricket Club in Coffs Harbour. I also had stints playing for Newman High School Old Boys, Seven Hills RSL and a season in Lismore (I cannot remember the club’s name). I was never a very good cricketer but I enjoyed being on the field with my mates.
The Belmont Hotel is a proud sponsor of the Belmont District Cricket Club
How did you become involved with the club you’re currently associated with?
My 2 boys wanted to play senior cricket, and Belmont was the senior club to which their junior club was aligned. I would take them to training and games and get to know others at the club. I offered to help at training and now I'm on the committee. I even came out of retirement and played for the 1st time in 20 years.
What do you like most about the club?
The people.
What was your highest score and who for, where and when?
My highest score was 70 odd playing in Coffs Harbour. I scored a hundred in a social game, but I have been told that does not count.
What were your best bowling figures and who for, where and when?
I took a total of 4 wickets in the 28 years I played cricket, so I have no clue what the best of those 4 were.
Which club and or competition do you support?
Other than Belmont, Parramatta in the Sydney Premier League, Sixers in the Big Bash and NSW in the Sheffield Shield.
When and how did you develop a love of scoring/volunteering/ administration?
I like to be involved and when my boys started to enjoy cricket the best way to be involved was to volunteer to do whatever was needed. That mostly turned out to be scoring as when anyone is asked to score no one knows or remembers how to do it. I enjoy scoring as it keeps me interested in what is happening in the game. Concerning volunteering and the admin side of things I always believe that you cannot complain if you are not willing to get in and help. So, I help where I can and complain when I see fit.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket so far?
2 things come to mind firstly I took 6 catches in a game as an outfielder. Secondly playing 2 years of cricket with a 17/18yo Doug Bollinger at Seven Hills. He is still the fastest bowler I have played with or against.
Doug Bollinger
Who’s your favourite all-time cricketer?
Mark Waugh
Mark Waugh
Who has been your favourite captain?
Brian Kennedy. He was my first senior captain, and he was great at making you feel comfortable in the team.
Who’s been the batsman you’ve enjoyed watching the most?
It’s a toss-up between Mark Waugh and Viv Richards
Who in your opinion has been the best fast bowler?
Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath
Who in your opinion has been the best spinner?
Shane Warne
Who in your opinion has been the best wicketkeeper?
Adam Gilchrist
Who in your opinion has been the best umpire?
Daryl Hair
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand as a scorer?
In my eyes the best innings are not the highest scores but the hardest ones for the batters. So, it was in a u16 rep game where in a 50-over match the team was 7/57 when the number 8 & 9 (Elliott John & Pat Halligan) batters came together. Both batters played great innings and had a partnership of 76 they scored 48 and 48no. The total ended at 8-181 which was enough for them to go on and win the game. Their batting was enjoyable to watch.
Who are the 2 players you most admire in the competitions you score in terms of skills and competitive spirit?
John McMahon (played a few 1st class games for Queensland in the early '60s and I played with him in Lismore) and Ben Sherring
John McMahon
What’s the most picturesque ground you’ve had the good fortune to watch cricket?
SCG
If there was one match-up in the history of world cricket, a bowler and batsman going head-to-head at their peak, who would you choose?
Don Bradman v Shane Warne the best ever batsman v the best ever spinner
What’s your preferred format of the game, Test Cricket, One-day games, T20?
Test cricket
What do Cricket Officials need to do over the next 10 or so years to ensure people get to enjoy the game as much as you do?
People like variety in most things in life so cricket needs to also provide variety. In Newcastle junior cricket needs to continue to come up with different ways to keep the kids engaged while senior cricket needs to do more to provide that variety. Currently, senior cricket just seems to think more cricket is better. The different formats of cricket need to be available to more people of varying skill levels. Currently, the different formats are aiming at the same people all the time.
Who are the 3 cricketers from any era you’d like to invite to a BBQ?
Keith Miller, Ritchie Benaud & Doug Walters
Doug Walters
What would be your ultimate experience as a cricket fan?
Lords Ashes Test
