About Me
Steve Frances
Brisbane, Australia
A Medical entomologist, interested in mosquito repellents. Cricket and RL follower. Played Sydney Grade Cricket for Penrith Cricket Club
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My Activity
question
Q: Sydney Grade Cricket 10 January 1975 - 17 January 1975. Nepean v Sutherland
As you can see Nepean were routed by the late Merv Black, who took 7-29 at Howell Oval. Only John Benaud spent time in the centre, scoring 93. Sutherland set up the game to seek outright points, but they ran out of time to bowl out the Panthers
As you can see Nepean were routed by the late Merv Black, who took 7-29 at Howell Oval. Only John Benaud spent time in the centre, scoring 93. Sutherland set up the game to seek outright points, but they ran out of time to bowl out the Panthers
https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/207/steve-frances/blog/2731/sydney-grade-cricket-10-january-1975-17-january-1975-nepean-v-sutherland
blog post
As you can see Nepean were routed by the late Merv Black, who took 7-29 at Howell Oval. Only John Benaud spent time in the centre, scoring 93. Sutherland set up the game to seek outright points, bu ...
question
Q: The last round before Christmas 1974 was held after overnight rain. The one fay fixture between Sydney and Nepean (now Penrith) was held on a muddy Rushcutters Bay Oval. The Panthers were sent in and scored a meagre 109. Sydney’s Rick McCosker, who had scored 4 first class centuries in his last 4 games for NSW, scored a steady 50 not out.
After the game Rick was advised that he was selected to play his first test the following weekend. Rick (Australia Test player no. 272), who was born at Inverell, shared a celebratory lemon squash with several Panthers keen to have a few beers before the return drive to the West.
After the game Rick was advised that he was selected to play his first test the following weekend. Rick (Australia Test player no. 272), who was born at Inverell, shared a celebratory lemon squash with several Panthers keen to have a few beers before the return drive to the West.
https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/207/steve-frances/blog/2730/sydney-grade-cricket-50-years-ago-1974-75
blog post
The last round before Christmas 1974 was held after overnight rain. The one fay fixture between Sydney and Nepean (now Penrith) was held on a muddy Rushcutters Bay Oval. The Panthers were sent in a ...
answered
Q: Select Your Best Test Cricket Team and Win $1,000 AUD!
Think you can create the ultimate Test cricket team? Here’s your chance to win $1,000 AUD by picking your best Test XI, following these simple rules:
1. Team Composition:
- Your team can only include a maximum of Two players from any one Test-playing nation.
- Select 11 players in batting order to form a balanced cricket team of batters, bowlers and a wicket keeper. Please nominate your wicket keeper.
2. Eligibility:
- You can only select players you’ve personally seen play a Test match live or on television.
- For instance, if you were born in 1970, players like Don Bradman are ineligible.
3. How to Submit Your Team:
- To participate, you must be a registered user on CricConnect.
- Register by providing your full name, email address, and password. Validate your email address, then publish your team in the answer section under this competition post.
- Teams published solely on CricConnect’s social media pages will not be considered.
4. Limitations:
- You can submit only one team.
5. Competition Period:
- Entries close at 12:00 pm AEST on 31st January 2025.
6. Winner Selection:
- All eligible entries will be entered into a random draw to win $1,000 AUD.
- The winner will be announced at 4:00 pm AEST on 31st January 2025.
7. Prize Details:
- There will be one winner only, receiving $1,000 AUD.
Start brainstorming your best Test team and submit your entry for a chance to win!
Have fun.
Think you can create the ultimate Test cricket team? Here’s your chance to win $1,000 AUD by picking your best Test XI, following these simple rules:
1. Team Composition:
- Your team can only include a maximum of Two players from any one Test-playing nation.
- Select 11 players in batting order to form a balanced cricket team of batters, bowlers and a wicket keeper. Please nominate your wicket keeper.
2. Eligibility:
- You can only select players you’ve personally seen play a Test match live or on television.
- For instance, if you were born in 1970, players like Don Bradman are ineligible.
3. How to Submit Your Team:
- To participate, you must be a registered user on CricConnect.
- Register by providing your full name, email address, and password. Validate your email address, then publish your team in the answer section under this competition post.
- Teams published solely on CricConnect’s social media pages will not be considered.
4. Limitations:
- You can submit only one team.
5. Competition Period:
- Entries close at 12:00 pm AEST on 31st January 2025.
6. Winner Selection:
- All eligible entries will be entered into a random draw to win $1,000 AUD.
- The winner will be announced at 4:00 pm AEST on 31st January 2025.
7. Prize Details:
- There will be one winner only, receiving $1,000 AUD.
Start brainstorming your best Test team and submit your entry for a chance to win!
Have fun.
A: 1. S. Gavaskar
2. M. Hayden
3. J. Kallis
4. S. Tendulkar
5. V. Richards
6. A. Flower (wk)
7. I. Khan
8. S. Warne
9. R. Hadlee
10. M. Marshall
11. J. Anderson
2. M. Hayden
3. J. Kallis
4. S. Tendulkar
5. V. Richards
6. A. Flower (wk)
7. I. Khan
8. S. Warne
9. R. Hadlee
10. M. Marshall
11. J. Anderson
question
Q: 50 years ago, Poidevin-Gray matches were played on New Years Day. Back then, the scores were published in the morning papers.
In 1975, there were a few wet tracks in Sydney, batting was difficult and mostly bowlers were successful.
The game at Pratten Park was a low scoring game. Nepean (now Penrith) batted first and scored 109. Wests Mark Spicer played well scoring 71 not out.
I’m not sure when the test matches were played in Sydney in 1974-75 but Allan Border scored a half century and took a few wickets for Mosman in PG’s on New Years Day, fifty years ago.
In 1975, there were a few wet tracks in Sydney, batting was difficult and mostly bowlers were successful.
The game at Pratten Park was a low scoring game. Nepean (now Penrith) batted first and scored 109. Wests Mark Spicer played well scoring 71 not out.
I’m not sure when the test matches were played in Sydney in 1974-75 but Allan Border scored a half century and took a few wickets for Mosman in PG’s on New Years Day, fifty years ago.
answered
Q: The 1976 Bradbury Sherwood Under 10s cricket team in 1976
The Bradbury Sherwood Under 10s cricket team at Waminda Oval, East Campbelltown in 1976.
The guy on the right of the picture is Doug Williams, who I assume was coach. Perhaps Brett or Jaime Williams are in the team.
My Dad, Pat Frances is the chap wearing the Adidas tracksuit top.
The Bradbury Sherwood Under 10s cricket team at Waminda Oval, East Campbelltown in 1976.
The guy on the right of the picture is Doug Williams, who I assume was coach. Perhaps Brett or Jaime Williams are in the team.
My Dad, Pat Frances is the chap wearing the Adidas tracksuit top.
A: Brett, thanks for your reply to my old photo. I hope you and your family are well.
Best regards, Steve aka Mule
Best regards, Steve aka Mule
question
Q: Gordon District Cricket Club allrounder Marshall Rosen takes 7 for 6 and scores 51 against Mosman on 6 October 1974
https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/207/steve-frances/blog/2201/marshall-rosen-stars-with-7-for-6-for-gordon-6-october-1974
blog post
Gordon District Cricket Club allrounder Marshall Rosen takes 7 for 6 and scores 51 against Mosman on 6 October 1974 ...
question
Q: The 1976 Bradbury Sherwood Under 10s cricket team in 1976
The Bradbury Sherwood Under 10s cricket team at Waminda Oval, East Campbelltown in 1976.
The guy on the right of the picture is Doug Williams, who I assume was coach. Perhaps Brett or Jaime Williams are in the team.
My Dad, Pat Frances is the chap wearing the Adidas tracksuit top.
The Bradbury Sherwood Under 10s cricket team at Waminda Oval, East Campbelltown in 1976.
The guy on the right of the picture is Doug Williams, who I assume was coach. Perhaps Brett or Jaime Williams are in the team.
My Dad, Pat Frances is the chap wearing the Adidas tracksuit top.
question
Q: Preseason training was usually not memorable, but in August 1980, it was photographed by the local paper. Perhaps the Rugby League Panthers were training at the park next door. During this time, Gary “Kid” Donlan was a local celebrity, appearing each week on local radio. The club was also expecting former test players, Ian Davis and Kerry O’Keeffe to play in the upcoming season (A History of Cricket at Penrith, Bill Ball, 2014).
A lap around Howell. Frome left Greg Jamieson, Stu Green (obscured), Graham Pitty, (Unknown), Steve Small, Peter Savage (RIP), Ron Halse, Mike Gibson (the only Panther cricketer to play for the Socceroos’), Ken Hall, Gary Donlan (RIP), Les Andrews and Steve Frances.
A lap around Howell. Frome left Greg Jamieson, Stu Green (obscured), Graham Pitty, (Unknown), Steve Small, Peter Savage (RIP), Ron Halse, Mike Gibson (the only Panther cricketer to play for the Socceroos’), Ken Hall, Gary Donlan (RIP), Les Andrews and Steve Frances.
https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/207/steve-frances/blog/1946/penrith-cricket-club-pre-season-training-august-1980
blog post
Preseason training was usually not memorable, but in August 1980, it was photographed by the local paper. Perhaps the Rugby League Panthers were training at the park next door. During this time, Ga ...
question
Q: Nepean | Penrith Cricket Club caps 1973-79
In 1973 the Nepean District Cricket club entered the NSWCA Grade competition wearing this cap.
In 1978 the club was supported by the Penrith Rugby League Football Club and was renamed Penrith DCC and wore the more familiar caps - click below
In 1973 the Nepean District Cricket club entered the NSWCA Grade competition wearing this cap.
In 1978 the club was supported by the Penrith Rugby League Football Club and was renamed Penrith DCC and wore the more familiar caps - click below
https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/207/steve-frances/blog/516/nepean-penrith-cricket-club-caps-1973-79
question
Q: The 3rd season for Nepean/Penrith DCC looked promising and 1st grade start with an outright win against Western Suburbs in October 1975. Ken Hall starts his career well. John Burnitt was also a Five eight for the Penrith Panthers, and Lawrie Renshall was also playing league for the Panthers
https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/207/steve-frances/blog/515/nepean-cricket-club-start-the-1975-76-season-with-an-outright-win
question
Q: I have had this document for 50 odd years. It appeared in 1934, when 25-year-old Donald Bradman was vice captain of the Australian team about to travel to England for the Ashes, under the leadership of William “Bill” Woodfull. It is interesting to note that the famous ABC Cricket Book, read my most cricket supporters, was also first published in 1934.
https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/207/steve-frances/blog/1683/in-quest-of-the-ashes-1934
blog post
I have had this document for 50 odd years. It appeared in 1934, when 25-year-old Donald Bradman was vice captain of the Australian team about to travel to England for the Ashes, under the leadershi ...
question
Q: In February 1978, a team of cricketers from the Campbelltown area, undertook a 17-day tour of New Zealand. The team included 5 players with Sydney grade experience, and most came from the local Campbelltown competition. The team and matches were organised during weekly “meetings” at the Campbelltown Tennis Club (now Wests Tigers Tennis Club).
The tour was 7 matches played against working men’s clubs, as well as matches against the Wellington and Northern Districts B sides.
The tour was 7 matches played against working men’s clubs, as well as matches against the Wellington and Northern Districts B sides.
https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/207/steve-frances/blog/1352/packer-poohrsquos-1978-cricket-tour-of-new-zealand
blog post
In February 1978, a team of cricketers from the Campbelltown area, undertook a 17-day tour of New Zealand. The team included 5 players with Sydney grade experience, and most came from the local Cam ...
blog post
The Bradbury Sherwood Under 10s cricket team at Waminda Oval, East Campbelltown in 1976. The guy on the right of the picture is Doug Williams, who I assume was coach. Perhaps Brett or Jaime ...
answered
Q: As a baseball catcher I’d like to ask about the relationship between the bowlers in cricket and the wicket keeper.
Baseball catchers offer signals to the pitcher so we know what pitches will be thrown. Do wicket keepers do the same as I can’t seem to pick up any.
How does the wicket keeper know what the bowler is going to bowl?
Baseball catchers offer signals to the pitcher so we know what pitches will be thrown. Do wicket keepers do the same as I can’t seem to pick up any.
How does the wicket keeper know what the bowler is going to bowl?
A: About 40 years ago I was practicing at Sydney University. A baseball pitcher, who played for Uni was returning from injury and asked if he could pitch, and I “caught” the pitches using wicket keeping gloves. He stood about 25 metres away and threw the ball over an imaginary plate. I had kept wickets for much of my playing career and I had great difficulty catching pitches with gloves. The pitcher had late movement, rarely seen when the ball bounces in cricket. You should get your best fielder to ping a new ball from the bowlers end to be caught at the batsman’s end, around stump height.
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Back Row - Scorer, Paul Southern, Steve English, Graeme Watt, Jeff Jones, David Lester, Mr Peter Collins (Coach)Front Row - Ed Molan, Tom Shiner, Barry Everingham, Steve Frances, Craig Peck, ...
blog post
In 1973 the Nepean District Cricket club entered the NSWCA Grade competition wearing this cap.In 1978 the club was supported by the Penrith Rugby League Football Club and was rena ...
blog post
The 3rd season for Nepean/Penrith DCC ...
