My best grade team - Steve Nikitaras 1990 to 2001

Steve Nikitaras | June 01, 2023

I started my Sydney Grade Career in 1990 playing Western Suburbs before moving to Penrith and Sydney University. In 1998 I moved to Western Australia and played with Perth Cricket Club.

In picking my best grade team I have excluded any Test players and whilst difficult, it was a bit of fun.

Here’s my team in batting order:

1. Jason Arnberger - Penrith

Arnie in my opinion was the most complete batsmen in my time. He was rare and in the top 10% in the country. A bloke who carried weight, yet moved so quick with his feet. When you think about openers, he’s my number one. He played the quicks and spinners extremely well. Arnie was a bloke you had to get out early as he could score so quickly and take the game away from you .His record speaks for itself. Delight to watch and if he was still batting at tea it meant there was a lot more food left over. 

 

2. Rodney Davison – Sydney University

Davo was my bunny hence why he wanted to play with me at Sydney Uni. On a serious note Davo was someone who loved to grind you into the ground. His technique had no holes and his ability and mind was to bat all day. It wasn’t about run rate, wins or losses, for him it was “you couldn’t get me out. “

His wicket was always a high price. You get him early and someone else had to step up and find 150 runs. Not many could do it and for that reason he makes my team. A bloke who’s battle was all about the guy bowling the ball. He made it very personal and his sickness was to have people dislike him and sledge him. That motivated him to stay out there all day and he would. I loved playing with him, thanks Davo.

3. Paul Maraziotis - Penrith

Mazza, obviously he makes my team. One of the best second slippers in the game outside of Michael Swan from Western Suburbs. Mazza was strong off the back foot and his eye to pick the length was extremely important for him. He was a player that made it look easy and sometimes too easy but a player who deserved more. A very worthy number 3 who was a quality first grade cricketer who in my opinion should have played first class cricket.

4. Trevor Bayliss – Penrith and Captain

Really no better brain or visionary of the game than TB. He didn’t say much but when he did, it was personal, direct and warranted. It was a privilege to watch him play. I played with TB towards the end of his prime but crikey I’ll never forget his presence on how he would walk out to bat, no better player to watch. His feet to spin and the quicks was electric. TB was by far one of the most gifted players I played with and his respect for the game was instilled into us deeply. I remember one day, actually many days to be honest, a batting collapse and we’d lose, game over. Nope despite the 37 degrees in Penrith, he would tell the opposite captain. “Not going home early today mate we’re bowling”. He was just tough. 

 

5. Rod Bower - Penrith

I hadn’t seen anything like it, who the fuck is this bloke? A batting stance which invited the quicks to bowl short yet he would put on a show. Without doubt a guy who in my time I actually feared. One of the most feared batsmen in grade cricket. Again I was lucky to see him at the end of his career and seeing him face up to and up and coming Brett Lee with no helmet and maybe no thigh pad. Madness! Great character and also mad with a big love heart and a suffocating hug. So strong. 

6. Peter Burkhart – Western Suburbs

Burks was a complete cricketer, who loved for cricket and just loved it. I don’t think I’ve seen a better fielder in the grade arena. He was sharp and with a deadly flat throwing arm. Couldn’t tell you how many run outs he got and it became an expectation, he never stopped worked hard in the field and it was actually tiring watching him. I’ve picked him in my side because he was the Michael Hussey of grade cricket in Sydney. He just loved it. His batting was like his fielding so natural and balanced and another guy who I thought had another level in him. Unfortunately a lot of us played first grade a touch to early and we got exposed through the rebuild at Western Suburbs. I feel Burks was one who should have gone to another level and another I did not need to think twice about naming in my side. 

 

7. Luke Ronchi- Perth Cricket Club and Wicket Keeper

He was 17 when I first played with him in Perth and he was very much in line to play for WA. Gilchrist, Ryan Campbell and Luke became the pecking order after Gilchrist moved to WA. I picked Luke ahead of my Western Suburbs team mate Paul Ryan. I always saw Paul as top 3 batsmen who could keep and to be honest a player ahead of his time with gloves and bat. Most keepers in my time batted 6 or 7 in Sydney, very few opened or batted number 3. 

So I picked Luke, he was very similar to Gilly and Campbell. His hands and bat speed was something else and when he was one it was dangerous and when off it was over quick. His gloves work was always tidy and casual. 

8. Stuart Karppinen - Penrith

Karps was without doubt the best bowling partner. What I loved about him is the he didn’t fight me for the wind behind my back, it suit both of us. The wind coming across helped my in-swinger and his out swinger. Simple, no argument. 

Karps was the fittest athlete in the game and a player I learnt the most of. A master of reverse swing and master of knowledge. His credentials are second to none. His contribution to world class cricket teams, athletes and fast bowling. You won’t find a more intelligent man as a cricketer, well ahead of his time. He was the master of reverse swing and conventional swing. A master of the body and cricket and one bloke you must have in your team. Genuine quick with too much intelligence. 

 

9. Paul Goldsmith - Penrith

Dead set work horse who’d never say no. He never complained and just got on with things. He could bowls spells equal to the most quickest in Sydney and out swingers too. Penrith’s heart and soul and still doing his bit for the club. Paul Is my first change bowler. 

10.  Daniel Horsley – Western Suburbs

This guy was quick but too friendly, he should have been a model on Home and Away. I can’t remember him swearing or sledging. He was a gentleman on and off and a big heart for not just his team mates but for all those around him .Dan Horsley opens my attack. He was quick. Horse was a captain’s dream. 

11. Tom Shiner – Western Suburbs

Tom should have been a fighting promoter. I’m not sure how many times he fired up the opposition team with lip and he was a nightmare of fun. I’m not sure how many times he would say “hit him, don’t like him. “

Tom just hated the opposition spinner and most of the time the team. Tom was a genuine rat and always played with a team that had pace. One of if not the best leg spinners to play Sydney grade over a long period time and one of the all-time rascals of our game.

 

Team Manager – Chris O’Neil

I’ve named the late Chris O’Neil as our manager and he was a very influential person in my life.

Lardy was his nickname and he was a left arm off spinner. For me, in my early career and as for many of us young guys coming through at Western Suburbs, he was a master of the mind. He made you believe what I thought wasn’t possible. He was a Magpie club man who just loved the black and white. Lardy I think about you a lot mate, long gone but always in my mind.