Ben Gorham - know your role

Western Suburbs District Cricket Club Sydney | October 10, 2024

Ben Gorham has had a lifelong association with Western Suburbs District Club.

For as long has he can remember Pratten Park was like a 2nd home to Ben. He’s the son of the Mal ‘Pencil’ Gorham who was the scorer for Western Suburbs First Grade team for over 30 years and a Life Member of the Club so he spent many days watching the first grade team play.

Ben has a healthy respect for the players he grew up watching and he’s a Magpie through and through.

Let’s find out more about Ben’s journey in the game so far. 

Chemist Warehouse Ashfield is a proud sponsor of Western Suburbs District Cricket Club

What year you were born?

1994

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

I did a couple of years of Kanga cricket as it was called back then and my first game of competitive cricket would have been in the under 8’s, playing a year up. I don’t remember how I went in that game but my first cricketing memory was getting out for a hat trick in pairs cricket.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

Junior cricket I played for Wahroonga, Kissing Point and Hornsby and since then played grade at Western Suburbs and 2 seasons over in England for Ellingham.

In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?

Debuted in Metro Cup for Wests at 16 and got a duck. Funnily I got a duck in my debuts in 5th grade and 4th grade as well. Thankfully my debut in 3rd grade I went better with 25 not out, but not without a huge LBW shout on 0.

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

A bowling all-rounder. I like to think I can bat but always struggle to turn those starts into bigger scores.

What’s your highest score in senior cricket?

My highest score is 120 in a Sunday league game over in England for Ellingham. Unfortunately I was the last man out with about 20 or 30 runs left to win.

What’s your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

My best ever figures are 6 for 15 in an 8 a side Last Man Stands game. But in a normal game of cricket my best figures are 5 for 55 for Wests in 5th grade, edging out my 2 other 5fas 5 for 56 and 5 for 57.

Who are the best three fast bowlers you have played against so far

Having played mostly 4’s and 5’s I haven't faced too many bowlers that are rapid. But in my 3 PG’s games I have faced Ben Dwarshuis, Henry Thornton and Tom Pinson. All these guys especially for me were very quick and are all doing very well in 1st grade around the country now.

My first ball facing Ben came around the wicket and my first thought was just don’t get hit. I can say that I scored 2 runs off his bowling but was also very happy a couple of balls later when he got me out.

Facing Henry it was my first time batting and Pratten Park and all I wanted to do was score at least one run. But I never looked like getting bat on ball.

I faced Tom in the same game as Ben but I was a tiny bit more confident against Tom. Maybe just the fact he was a right armer made it easier. I have never liked facing left-armers even from junior cricket.

Who are the best three spinners you have played against so far?

Adrian Isherwood from UNSW, Pat Lindsay from North Sydney and Raf MacMIllan from St George.

AJ and Pat both use their knowledge and subtle variation very well and both are not willing to lose to the batsmen. Again this might just be my struggles against left-armers. Whether it was in the nets when AJ was at Wests or when I played him in indoor, it is always a great battle but I can say he couldn’t get me out in indoor.

Raf gives the ball a huge rip for a young offie. I struggled to score off him this past season and bowled extremely well to his field. I can see that he has all the skills to go far with this offies.

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

In my first season at Ellingham we travelled across to the Isle of Wight to play against Ryde. Chasing around 270 odd we were in huge trouble at 5 for less than a 100. In the last 25 overs we chased down the runs for the loss of only 1 more wicket. Chris Batten and Buzz or Azza can’t remember which one sorry guys, too many beers after the incredible win got us home in that game. It was an amazing chase and that summer we seemed to pull of those amazing wins regularly.

Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always you to cause you a few problems?

I’ve always had trouble against Josh Miller from Northern Districts. He always seems to get me out with jaffas. Josh is a very knowledgeable cricketer and always finds ways to get the best out of himself. I’m sure anyone from ND’s that has played with him will tell you multiple times where his bowling alone has won them the game and has done it multiple times in finals as well.

Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in grade cricket and you really had to knuckle down to survive? 

The 3 times that I batted in PG’s. Being a 5th grader at the time, the jump was massive playing against first graders. I also wanted to make the most of playing on first grade wickets. It is something I haven’t had the opportunity to do since PG’s. So just trying to survive and see what it is like playing on some of the best grounds in Sydney.

Who’s been the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Best wicket keeper I’ve played with would have to be Darren Cox or John Rush. Both have tremendous hands and don’t have any issue standing up to any of the quicks. It makes a huge difference knowing wherever you bowl the ball the keeper is going to grab it. Also for me not bowling the fastest makes my room for error a bit larger when the keeper is up to the stumps.

Who are the two players you admire most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?

Peter Burkhart and Michael Swan. Having grown up watching both of them in first grade then having the privilege to play under both of them as captains, their skills and competitiveness was more evident. Swanny is the best slipper I have ever played with and Burks is still one of the best fielders I’ve played with. But what I admire the most is the hard old school style of play. It is something that I try to play with as well.

Peter Burkhart and Michael Swan

Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?

Evan Dix has a great brain for the game. I only played 2 games under Dixy but they were enjoyable. It is always great when you get to beat St George.

Who was your childhood hero?

Michael Clarke, I think mostly because he played at Wests. As a young fella following my dad Pencil to games while he scored I have seen a lot of Michael playing. Also a lot of those guys that played first grade in the late 90’s and early 00’s for Wests I looked up to. Dan Horsley was someone I always thought very highly of. He used to sit in the corner of the old dressing rooms at Pratten Park and when I walked in he always used to tell everyone to stop swearing as I was walking in. 

Who has been your funniest team mate?

Funniest team mate would have to be Quincy Titterton, he is one of, if not the rarest bloke going around in grade cricket. I have also had the chance to coach greenies with him for 2 seasons, often also being his therapist at the same time.

Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?

Sam Badolato and I always have a laugh when we are playing together but the times we have talked or predicted how a batsmen would get out, only for it to happen within the next few balls. I’m not sure if batsmen trust the advice I am giving them or they just want to try and prove me wrong and often get out trying.

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

I remember one game playing A grade for Kissing Point I was out 2nd ball caught down the leg side. The first ball I ducked under a bouncer which I never do, and thought to myself I am on here. But next ball I was quickly walking back to the changeroom, thinking why do I waste my Saturdays playing, but there wouldn’t be a single cricketer that doesn’t think that most weekends.

Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?

Michael Jordan, Daniel Ricciardo and Jackie Robinson. All for different reasons but it would be great to have insight into what they have gone through in their sporting journeys.

?Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

David Lloyd is one I always like listening to, because you never know what he is going to say. Kerry O’Keeffe is in the same boat. They bring entertainment to the cricket without it having to be cricket related.

What was your favourite ground to play at?

Fairly easy, it is Pratten Park. Having grown up watching hundreds of games at Pratten it was great to play there. For grounds that I have played a lot at Picket Post in England and Punchbowl would have to be my favourites. Picket for the times we had after the games in the club house and Punchie just for the success I have had their individually.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Travelling around the world playing Last Man Stands cricket. Having had the chance to play at World Champs in London and Barbados was fantastic. Meeting people from around the world that have the same passion for cricket as you is always a great highlight. But also having the chance to play on the nursery ground at Lord’s and at Kensington Oval in Barbados were highlights as well and something I will never forget.

What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?

The best win was in 4th grade at Blick against Penrith. It was a game where every result was possible after tea on the second day. We came away with the outright win but it was not without controversy and drama. 37 wickets fell in the match and I think most players thought the umpires made some incorrect decisions (but that is also every game). It was the second outright victory of the season and still the only 2 that I have played in.

What are your hobbies?

Other than playing cricket, me and my mates play a lot of Xbox together and just talk crap for hours on end, but I also enjoyed getting into the gym, which for a lot of people that know me would find that funny, because I enjoy my food a lot.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

Something that sticks in my mind is “know your role”. It is hard to achieve something if you do not know the role you need to play in achieving it.

What is your occupation?

I am studying to be a primary school teacher at Macquarie University but I also work for a landscaping company called Pave and Care. On the side I do a bit of cricket coaching and bat repairs. Something that I enjoy and is a bit of fun at the end of the day.

Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?

Still playing in the lower grades at Wests. I think if I stopped playing I would not know what to do with my weekends.