Darren Smith - make something happen
NSW Veterans Cricket | January 20, 2023
Darren Smith plays Over 50s cricket for the Port Jackson Cricket Club and has represented NSW and Australia Over 50s cricket teams.
In 2017 at the NSW Over 50s state championships Darren won the region player of the championships and was selected in the NSW Over 50s team shortly after.
He was a member of Australian Over 50s 2018 World Cup win in Sydney in 2018 and was also in the 2020 Australian Over 50s World Cup squad to play in South Africa where unfortunately the World Cup was cut short due to Covid.
Darren played grade cricket for Sutherland District Cricket Club and Randwick District Cricket Club. He is Sutherland first grade player number 107 when he made his first grade debut on 13 February 1982.
Let’s find out more about Darren’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1963 in Gilgandra NSW
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Played for Toorawenah School in the Gilgandra comp as a 10 year old. Claimed a couple of wickets.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Played men’s for Breelong in Gilgandra and Gilgandra in the inter competition with my dad Ross Smith (Chicka). I was an opening fast swing bowler like my dad. (Although he was a fair bit slower as he got older)
At a Dubbo cricket clinic for the Orana region I was selected by Steve Rixon to join the NSW Country under 17 in Sydney for two weeks in 1980. I was selected in the one’s side to play city’s powerful side: boasting Mark and Steve Waugh, David Moore, Phil Marks and the like. We played them on North Sydney Oval, and I opened the bowling, after 7 overs I had the figures of 4 for 13 plus a run out. This was the first time country had ever beaten city.
From my performance I was asked by 2 grade clubs to play for them. I played first grade for Sutherland and Randwick. In 1985 I walked away from cricket due to a very nasty incident I caused on the cricket field. I bounced an opening batsman at Chatswood Oval and smashed his perspex visor up into his forehead. Taking his helmet off his forehead skin went over his eyes and blood was spurting everywhere. There was no counselling in those days like today, so I walked away from cricket and played indoor cricket.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I debut in second grade for Sutherland at 17 in 1981.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
A bowling all-rounder, but as I got older, I would call myself a batting all-rounder now.
What were your strengths as a player?
I would make something happen given the ball or bat. I’m a team player that believes in including all players in the game to be competitive and win.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
150 not out for Caringbah Sports at Centennial Park, Sydney.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
6 for 23 for George’s River in 2022 against Balmain South, Trumper Park Sydney.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Although I didn’t play against them I recall seeing the best 3 fast bowlers in action; Richard Hadlee, Dennis Lillee and James Anderson.
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
One of the better spinners I played against and with, was Mark Preddy. He knew his craft and played with aggression and purpose. A great bloke on and off the field.
2018 World Cup squad
Back Row - Michael Van Zuyden, Manager Tim Sargent, Billy Blair, Darren Smith, Gavin Brown, Stephen Gollan, Darren Hill, Joe Santostefano, Greg Biggs, Ross Mcllveen (Physiotherapist), Mark Bury (Selector), Trevor Chappell (World Cup ambassador)
Front Row - Bradley Manty, John Short, Todd O’Keefe, Peter. Solway (Captain), Rowan Harry, Craig Gislingam, Trent Ryan, Tony Clark
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Steve and Mark Waugh. Seem to have plenty of time to play their shots.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Peter Solway blasting two hundreds in a row in our 2018 world cup campaign.
Was there any bowler or batsman in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Johnny Short was a fierce left hand bowler capable of taking your wicket at any ball. A great competitor!
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?
Playing in the inaugural over 50s world cup final in Sydney on Drummoyne Oval against Pakistan, winning by 3 runs.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Todd O’Keefe stands up to nearly every bowler, except for a few prideful ones. His presence on the stumps puts so much pressure on the batsman.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Billy Blair from Victoria and Johnny Short from NSW. Both fast bowlers with skill and determination.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Warwick Hayes the best captain I have ever played under and Malcolm Coleman would be a close second. Their poise, respect for players and the game, their ability to harness all the skills of the team and apply them strategically, whereby reading the plays needed ahead of time, was breath taking. They would speak to players before and after the games and explain to them their perceived roles they had for them in the team. But most of all, they were a role model of exemplary behaviour, performance and respect.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
I would say it’s not just one, it’s three, Mark Butler (Skid), John Adamson (JA) and Barry O’Rourke (Fruit). When these three get together they have plenty to say rolling off one another with ease. Pity you, if you are the brunt of their focus though.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
I remember a time when two players Murray Stanton (Muz) and John Lupton (Rattler) and I were in a triangle fielding around the batsman when I said that was a good shot for 6 by the batsman, in a spilt moment Rattler says to Muz, “I reckon he could hit it further if he opens his eyes next time.” Next ball the batsman swings harder and loses all his stumps.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
In February 2022 at Armidale I was on 24 batting out of my crease to a spinner and missed one outside off stump and slid my foot back thinking I was in the crease. Meanwhile the keeper was fumbling and dropping the ball, as I turned around to look I noticed I’m on the line, but to no avail the keeper collected my stumps and I was embarrassing given out stumped.
Who was your childhood hero?
Richard Hadlee. I loved watching his run up and the way he would play with the batsman’s head with what he could do with the ball.
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Ricky Ponting
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Glenn McGrath oval Caringbah
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Victoria and Queensland are strong competitive sides in Over 50s cricket which create great games.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Playing cricket for Australia in indoor and Over 50s outdoor cricket. Winning the world cup 2018 Over 50’s undefeated and whitewashing England 3 nil in the ashes series.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Winning the Sydney classics over 50s for George’s River in 2022, when we didn’t stand a chance, coming from forth position with one game to play, while batting first on a wet deck and outfield, amassing 270 runs from 45 overs.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
All the George’s Rivers side, Mark Bury (Big Buz), Warwick Hayes, Mal Coleman, Todd O’Keefe and Mark Austin.
Australian Over 50s World Cup team v Oppenheimer's XI in March 2020
Back row - Michael Van Zuyden ( Manager),Warwick Hayes ( Coach),Tim Sargent (SA),Andrew Bethune (Vic), Alex Jesensek (Vic),Gavin Brown(Qld),Nick Bole-Brown(Vic), Matt Lewis (NSW),Bill Brown ( Vic) Steve Gollan (WA)
Front row - Gary Eisenmenger (QLD), Darren Smith (NSW), Todd O’Keefe (NSW), Peter Solway (ACT. - Captain), Richard Saniga (Vic), Joe Santostefano (WA) Phil Melville (NSW), Tony Clark (NSW).
?
What are your hobbies?
Reading the Bible and studying the archaeological discoveries to prove its authenticity. Coaching people in cricket and helping them in life.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Dealing with peer group pressure, my Dad, Ross Smith (Chicka) warned me by saying, “9 times out of 10 whatever you’re friends try and get you to do and say will be wrong: but 9 times out of 10 whatever you’re Mum and Dad get you to do or say will be right.”
What’s your occupation?
My business is called, “Cricket for Life Coaching.” I’m a Cricket Australia Level 3 coach and I work out of the St Patrick’s cricket nets Sutherland NSW
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Level 3 CA coaching for individuals and teams. I have coached at Randwick/Petersham grade for 5 years, Universities women’s grade club for 3 years and St Patrick’s cricket club Sutherland.
I’m a credited panel 2 NSW umpire.
Still representing NSW in over 50’s cricket and playing for Port Jackson and George’s River cricket clubs.
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Develop carnivals all over the state for both men and women over 40, 50, 60 and 70’s
Pick sides on performance, not politics not let one entity rule competitions or selections.
Sponsor representative sides so they are not out of pocket as much utilising State and Cricket Australia funding.
Develop cricket reunions to establish new sides and districts with carnivals
Develop a cricket legends website that people can track or find other cricketers and inspire new teams.
Old cricketers normally are social-economically well off and can inspire the next generation of young cricketers with sponsorship or in role modelling and Coaching capacities.
