Pocket Profile: Mark Lewis - Western Suburbs District Cricket Club
Western Suburbs District Cricket Club Sydney | December 12, 2024
Mark Lewis is the fifth-grade captain for Western Suburbs District Cricket Club, who, through sharing his extensive cricket experience and knowledge, has been able to progress a large number of talented young cricketers up the grades.
Also, in his role of captaincy, Mark has been instrumental in developing some of the young fast bowlers at Western Suburbs through his tactical insight into the art of swing bowling.
This season, Mark and his very young fifth-grade side sit just three points shy of the top 6 leading into this week's T20 fixture.
Here's our pocket profile with Mark
Chemist Warehouse Ashfield is a proud sponsor of Western Suburbs District Cricket Club
What year were you born?
I am not sure - my recollection of the event is blurred – ask my mum
Can you remember your first game of cricket? How old and do you remember how you went?
I was 7-8 playing under 9’s, and I managed a classy duck
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey. Where have you played, and which clubs have you played for?
Started out at Bankstown for Watson & Green Shield, Chullora, Belmore Diggers, Camden, Campbelltown City, Cobbitty Narellan & finishing at Western Suburbs
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I started as a wicketkeeper, then a batsman, but finished as more of a bowler
What were your strengths as a player?
Thinking ahead of the game. As a bowler, I was able to develop different swing variations
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
It was 164 for Belmore 1st grade vs Summer Hill at Beaman Park
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
9/52 for Campbelltown vs Westerners at Jackson Park 2nd grade
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand, playing with or against?
I watched Matt Lewis score a ton in a Martin Shield game, which was chanceless. Fugar Huseyin hit 100s for fun as well. But recently, Luke Hoogendyk scored a 50* vs Sydney Uni, where we had a partnership that won the game. He was 15, playing against men, and played beautifully.
Was there any bowler or batter in particular who, for whatever reason, always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Wayne Eagles killed me for 15 years! He was the bowler that helped me snap my Achilles many years ago
Who was the best wicketkeeper you’ve seen first hand playing with or against?
John Faulder was the best I’ve played with as he stood up to the stumps when I used to be an opening bowler and was unbelievable with catches and stumpings! He did that for about 15 seasons
Who has been your funniest teammate?
Luke Hoogendyk, Will Zakostelsky & James Barwise should never be in the same team together
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today? Damien Gunning used to have a saying before he hit a ball for 6! I won't reveal it here
Who was your childhood hero?
Allan Border
Who are the three sportspeople in the world you’d most like to meet?
Grace Harris, Steven Gerrard & Paul Kelly
Grace Harris
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Birriwa Oval
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Winning Premierships. I've been lucky enough to be involved in 7 of them, captaining 3.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Wests Versus Manly 2023. Rolled for 148, we rolled the eventual premiers for 85, with Sree Sista taking 7fa
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Ian Gill a great coach once told me “learn from me and teach others what you learn”. I lived by that for a number of years as a cricketer and hope I've been able to pass on my knowledge to some of our younger fast bowlers.
