Sydney Grade Cricket 50 years ago 1974-75

Steve Frances | January 14, 2025

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.

 

Two-day fixtures resumed on 10 January 1975. Another famous lad from Inverell, Alan Campbell, top scored with 84 for Sutherland against Nepean at Howell.

 

2 things come to mind. Firstly, all the ovals were named after the suburbs they were in. In recent decades many were named in honour of acclaimed players. Also, Sam Konstas (player 469) made his debut in the Boxing Day Test, so there were 197 Australians who made their test debuts in the last 50 years.