Pocket Profile - Josh McTavish - Belmont District Cricket Club

Belmont District Cricket Club | March 30, 2025

What year were you born?

2000

Tell us about your cricket journey. Where did you start junior cricket and the clubs you’ve played for in senior cricket.

Played my juniors for Merewether Tigers before making the transition into senior cricket filling in for my dad's Kotara Hornets, moving to play full time at Merewether and moving to Belmont about 3 years ago

If you can share with our readers how you would describe yourself as a cricketer?

Middle order batsman who should definitely be scoring more runs and a criminally underrated off-spinner.

What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?

The banter both on and off the field.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket so far? 

Winning our U18’s grand final. We had gone through all the guys we had played juniors together with and put together an excellent side. Went through the competition only losing 1 game and getting the minor major premiership.

Who’s your favourite all-time cricketer? 

AB De Villiers

Who is the fastest bowler you’ve played against?

Jacob Curry

Who is the best spinner you’ve played against?

Kev Mason, never played against him but played a lot of cricket with him. Had the ball on a string every single delivery and had it in him to turn it around corners. Excellent player.

Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against? 

Luke Hitchcock against Wallsend in U18s. We bowled first and rolled them for 120 odd. Luke had to go up to Charlestown for his 1st grade game so he took the game by the horns and proceeded to score 100 off 9.4 overs. Our other opener Nick Hart just rotated the strike to get Luke back on.

Who is the best wicket keeper you’ve had the good fortune to play with?

Blake Armson. Played a few years of juniors with him. For a bloke who is 6 foot 5, he is without a doubt the best keeper i’ve played with. Hands like lightning and reflexes of a cat.

Is there a young player in your club you’d like to nominate as a player to watch?

Archie Bell, incredibly talented young bowler. Plays the game the right way and has an excellent competitive spirit.

Who are the two players you’ve come to admire most in your club in terms of skills and competitive spirit?

Tony Bristow for his competitive drive and passion. Clay Stevenson for his commitment to getting better each and every time he plays/trains.

What are the two attributes you like to see in a captain and leader? 

I like to play under a captain who leads from the front and demonstrates what he expects from their players. A captain who has respect for the efforts that his players put in on the field is another big one for me.

Which singer/band would you like to see perform live?

Tyler the Creator 

Who’s considered the biggest pest at your club?

Without a shadow of a doubt it’s Nathan King. That bloke is as rare as they come.

Favourite location, city or country as a holiday destination? 

Bit of a strange one but Lake St Clair out the back of Singleton. Nice and quiet, no cell service. Big fan of the peace.

Who’s been the biggest influence on your career so far?

Troy Goodwin. Goody taught me a lot as a young player and I still put into practice a lot of what he taught me when I first started playing grade cricket.

Where do you find inspiration that gets you through challenging times?

Through friends and family. My old man has kept me level headed throughout my journey as a cricketer and go to him when I need help.

The Belmont Hotel is a proud sponsor of the Belmont District Cricket Club

 

Who are the three people in the world you’d love to meet and talk to?

Lewis Hamilton, Dan Carter and Steve Smith

What do you like to do to relax outside cricket?

Hang out with friends and play golf (very poorly)

If working, what do you do?

I am an Electrician and Project Manager over at Reclaim Solar Energy

Do you have a favourite quote?

Success isn't bought, it's rented. And the rent is due every single day.

What are your goals for the next season?

My goal going into this season was to score more runs and get a sniff at playing higher grades. Despite my lack of runs so far this season I was fortunate enough to play 1 game of second grade although the result didn't go our way. I also want to bowl, if captains are reading this, please let me bowl…

Can we ask, what would it mean to you to play first class cricket?

Growing up it's all I wanted to do and it would've been a dream come true if it had ever happened.