Greg Geise - Golden 1991-92: Part One

Brad Bannister | November 25, 2024

In the 1991/92 season I switched from Lambton - New Lambton DCC in Newcastle to have what turned out to be one season with Wallsend DCC. It also happened to coincide with a bit of a golden period for one Greg Geise in Newcastle Grade Cricket. As a young 21 year old cricketer who just wanted to be better and better, a season under and with Greg was an absolute godsend. 

There was one particular two week period where Greg just showed everyone just how good he actually was. Three innings of an incredible nature.

The first was the first day of a two day game against Stockton DCC at the beautiful Lynn Oval on the peninsula. We won the toss and of course chose to bat on a stunning pitch and quick outfield. Greg was batting three and decided that it would be a great idea to put his complete trust in our opening batsmen and plink himself down on the toilet to relieve himself of the Number 2 nature. Pandemonium broke loose when we lost a wicket first ball and Greg was in the middle of completing his business. "Send Blanchy out" came the cry from the cubicle (Chris Blanch was our Number 4). Blanchy hastily put on his gloves and rushed in a bit of confusion to the middle........ OUT first ball, Wallsend 2 for none and the skipper and gun bat still on the throne. Confusion reigned as Greg emerged from the stall, hastily pulling up his strides.

Greg calmly makes his way to the middle, Wallsend in all sorts at 2 for none and none of us sure if Greg had even finished his business. At this stage of the season Greg was already in pretty good form, and as the team settled down to no more wickets and Greg had made is way to a dozen or so, our dismissed opener Dave Edwards made the announcement that we should have a sweep to see how many Greg would get for the day. Keep in mind that at this stage, we are still probably 2 for 20 or so. A piece of paper was accessed and players and supporter started to throw their scores at Dave and he recorded them eagerly. All bets placed with choices ranging from mid-twenties through to around 100, when someone said to Dave, "hey what's yours?" to which Dave replies "260 something". Of course there were rye smiles and the like. The day goes on and Greg just keeps picking of milestones. 50 comes, and then 100 comes quickly. 150 comes and goes in a hurry, and around the 63rd over, I walk out at seven after losing a wicket the first ball of the 63rd. Left arm swing bowler Andrew Yeomans at the top of his mark. Bannister solid as a rock for four balls. Big inswingers, and defence fully intact. One ball to go in the over, and down strolls Greg to the crease where I was standing, stops the game and looks me in the eye - "there is no maidens in the 63rd over son" and turned on his heels and walked away. He glanced back over his shoulder and looked at me again - " no ones, threes or fives either".

I had been told!!! Luckily for me, big Andy send down a juicy shin high full toss outside off stump and the young fella was able to punch one through the covers for four. I am feeling pretty good about myself at this stage and instantly looked to Greg for his admiration. He stayed firmly planted at his end of the pitch with no thought of a mid wicket discussion between overs and he looked down at me and gave me a knowing nod. That's it, a nod!!!

The game moves on and when our innings wrapped up, Greg Geise 272 not out. Unbelievable, stunning, dominant, different gravy to the rest of us. What an innings.