Pocket Profile: James Barwise - Western Suburbs District Cricket Club

Western Suburbs District Cricket Club Sydney | April 03, 2024

James Barwise joined Western Suburbs District Cricket Club at the beginning of the 2023-24 cricket season.

James made an immediate impression on everyone at the club with his commitment, effort, humour and skill. He started the season in 5^th grade and progressed through the ranks into 3^rd grade.

In his first season at the club, he took 48 wickets at 11.71 and scored 338 runs at 37.56. He also secured one of the great nicknames in cricket.

Here’s our quick pocket profile with James

Partnership Finance Group is a proud sponsor of western suburbs District Cricket Club

 

 

What year were you born?

2003

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

I started playing cricket when I was 11, for the Australian International School Sharks in Singapore and then played junior cricket for North Sydney. Since then, I have played senior cricket for Roseville, UTS North Sydney and Western Suburbs.

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

I would like to think of myself as an all-rounder. Being able to contribute in all disciplines of cricket, whether batting or bowling, is something I always strive towards.

What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?

I think of cricket as a giant game of chess. I enjoy the strategic battles that happen at various stages throughout each game, where every player’s temperament, patience, mental strength and skill are tested.

Do you have a nickname?

Unfortunately, my most recent nickname has stuck at Wests, namely, The Good Doctor, which was given to me by a fellow Wests teammate, Will Chesterfield, who insisted that I had the mannerisms and looks of the beloved TV character. I’m also called Jimmy Brings, Shaun, Dr Murphy, Murph, Scotchie, JB and Dr Barwise. Most of these names revolve around ‘The Good Doctor’.

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

The team song after our recent victory against Campbelltown-Camden in Round 16. The realisation of making finals cricket in my first season of grade cricket was surreal and something I was extremely proud to have contributed towards.

What do you enjoy most about playing for Western Suburbs District Cricket club?

The people and the club-first culture. When I first joined the club, everyone was so inviting and willing to introduce themselves to me, something which I had not experienced much of before. It made playing on Saturday much more pleasant, as I knew I’d be playing alongside some of the best bunch of blokes in grade cricket who wanted the team to win ahead of anything else.

Who’s your favourite all-time cricketer?

I would say my favourite cricketer is Ravindra Jadeja. But my favourite old-school cricketer will always be Sir Vivian Richards.

Who is the fastest bowler you’ve played against?

Sam Tomlinson from Epping Bulls in Shires Cricket. He tried to rip my head off.

Who is the best spinner you’ve played against?

Shoaib Bashir

Who is the best batter you’ve played with and against?

The best batsman I have played with is Shijit Chandran; he played a few first-class games in India and was an outstanding cricketer.

The best batsman I have played against is Corey Lowe, he always found a way to make runs, even when his team was struggling.

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

Two seasons ago against Lane Cove in First Grade Shires Cricket. Greg Hunt opened the batting, chasing 245 to win, and scored a chanceless 122.

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

Ethan Anderson is the best wicketkeeper I’ve had the good fortune to play with. Ando kept exceptionally well in the one game I got to play with him, taking a sharp catch and a very nifty stumping on a lively Blick Oval wicket.

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

The first player is Ben Gorham, the fourth-grade captain at Wests. Ben always thinks three steps ahead of his opponents, setting attacking fields and creating tactical matchups between batters and bowlers, which ultimately helped his fourth-grade side make it through to finals cricket. He was also extremely skilled in his bowling plan, controlling his line and length with precision and finding ways to get his team through tough times with the bat.

The second player is Will Zakostelsky. As a young guy in this club, Will is an extremely exciting up-and-coming all-rounder for Wests. During the back end of the season, his leg-spinning skills, namely his wrong-un, were able to castle the defences of many capable batters. Also, his eagerness to throw his body around, bowl through tough overs, and stay in the game during challenging batting scenarios at such a young age is very pleasing from a club point of view.

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

Trustworthiness. I feel that an important part of leadership and captaincy is to back the blokes that are picked for your team. From a player's perspective, having your skipper back you is worth its weight in gold and instils confidence in yourself.

Adaptability. Cricket is always a game of variables: the condition of the pitch, umpire decisions, weather, game situation, etc. It is vital that a captain can adapt to game situations so that the team can have the best chance at winning.

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

Bruno Mars

Favourite location, city, or country as a holiday destination?

Japan. The snow over there is elite and is a very fun place to ski.

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

Neil D’Costa has influenced my career the most; he has helped me transform myself as a player, and a large part of my success has been due to his coaching and mentorship.

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

I find prayer helps calm me during challenging times.

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

Steven Gerrard, Michael Jordan, Rafael Nadal

Steven Gerrard

What do you like to do to relax outside cricket?

I love playing and watching football. Liverpool FC is a big part of my life, so I try to watch as many of their games as possible. I also enjoy playing video games with my mates.

What do you do outside of cricket?

I’m undergoing a Bachelor of Business at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), majoring in both finance and accounting. I also work at Stars Cricket Academy as a cricket coach.

Do you have a favourite quote?

“The results you seek are in the work you’re not doing.”

What are your cricketing goals?

A new goal is to win a grade premiership. I also want to play first grade and beyond.

Can we ask, what would it mean to you to play for your country?

As an Australian cricketer, I feel there is no higher honour than receiving the baggy green. Being able to represent Australia would be an indescribable and unfathomable feeling. It would mean the world, and I would give it my all.