Jon Horley - move a toothpick
UNSW Cricket Club | April 29, 2023
Jon Horley made his first grade debut for University of New South Wales Cricket Club during the 1991/92 season and is the clubs first grade player number 95.
Jon is a former first grade captain of UNSW Cricket Club and in a first grade career spanning 7 season Jon took 197 wickets at an average of 26.46 and took 5 wickets or more in an innings on 7 occasions. His best bowling figures was 7 for 71.
Let’s find out more about Jon’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1970
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
My family moved to PNG when I was 11 months old and returned to Australia when I was 10. There was no organised Junior Cricket in PNG so my first game was when we returned to Australia. I was in Year 5 and was playing for the school team. I was so excited to be playing a game of cricket. I recall hitting a short one to the square leg boundary but not much else.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I played Green Shield for Wests in 1985/86. We had a young bloke from Lismore, a keeper batsmen that was to join us for a few rounds and there were big raps on him. Turned out they were totally justified as Adam Gilchrist was a class above the bulk of the competition, he scored a pile of runs.
I had a GAP year in West Sussex, UK in 1989 and was introduced to English Village Cricket. A lot of the school masters played in the village teams around the school. Every now and then I filled in when they were short on numbers and just loved the charm and spirit of Village Cricket.
I joined University of New South Wales in 1990/91 and played there till the 1998/99 season, after which I headed to England with work. I was living in Wimbledon and played two seasons with Wimbledon CC, which as it turned out was a lovely way to conclude my days playing competitive cricket. Wimbledon CC had just been promoted a couple of divisions in their league. The club had an existing Professional which meant I was able to slot into the 2’s. We had a great bunch of guys and managed to win the comp both years. So after several years without winning any silverware I was able to finish my cricketing days with a couple of Premierships.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I would have been 19 when I joined UNSWCC. From memory we had a bunch of washed out training sessions before we were into the season proper. I had one bat on the astro turf and then was marched up to the selectors meeting prior to round 1 to introduce myself to the selection committee which included Geoff ‘Henry’ Lawson. Henry asked me to run through my cricket CV and the highlight of which was being a part of the 1988 NSW GPS 1stXI. I quickly discovered Henry didn’t rate Private School Cricket. I found myself in 4’s as a batsmen.
I’m not sure I even mentioned that I could bowl, most probably because I wasn’t sure I was any better than most of the guys that were running around.
Back Row – S. Waddington (Sydney Grammer), M. Hayward (Newington)
Middle Row – G. Easy (St Ignatius Riverview), B. Munro (Sydney Grammar), J. Horley (Newington), D. Gordon (Scots), A. O’Malley (Kings), C. Kourtesis (Manager)
Front Row – H. McCathie (Shore), J. Davison (St Ignatius Riverview), S. Gray (Sydney Grammer and Vice-Captain), A. Smith (St Ignatius Riverview and Captain), R. Wiles (Kings), W. Adlam (Scots), J. Yaffa (Kings)
Geoff Lawson
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
It must have been a few rounds into the 1991/92 season so I would have been 21. I do remember it was at the Village Green. I vaguely recall taking a couple of wickets. I do have a clear memory of our keeper who was generally as safe as a bank dropping a regulation catch with my second ball. He redeemed himself shortly after and the world seemed a pretty good place.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
In the end I was a bowler that could bat a bit who enjoyed fielding in the slips. Through school boy cricket I opened the batting and was a wicket keeper. As we were going into year 12, I must have gone through a growth spurt and our 1st XI coach suggested I should have a bit more of a go with the ball. I had no idea what I was doing but discovered that I really enjoyed the challenge and the added involvement that bowling represented. I clearly recall battling with how long my run up was going to be. (I wish I had made a decision to make it a lot shorter back then).
What were your strengths as a player?
I’d probably leave that for others to determine. I was ok at most of the disciplines and because of that was able to stay involved in the game. I took the game seriously but not too seriously and loved celebrating a win with my team mates.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
Playing 4th grade in my first season at UNSW and managed 140 not out V’s Balmain on David Phillips South. As it turned out it was the only ton I made in grade cricket. Which speaks volumes about my batting.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
A few years later and this time in First Grade at Drummoyne Oval, I took 7 for plenty once again when Balmain was the opposition. They had scored a truck load of runs and I was the beneficiary of the tailenders throwing their bat around in the pursuit of quick runs. I did take a few 6 fors over the journey that pleasingly had a bit more of a positive impact for my team.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
I find this very difficult to narrow down as it seemed to me every 1st Grade side had very good quicks. If I’m forced to select three I would go with Brett Lee, Dan Horsley and Anthony Stuart.
I can recall this day like it was yesterday. We played Mosman at the Village Green in 1999 under an overcast sky. I’m guessing Brett had played a handful of games for NSW but hadn’t yet made his way into the Australian team. I went into bat when we 6 for 30 odd. Brett had 5 of the 6 wickets. It was life threateningly quick! He banged one in short, I lost it and it thudded into my shoulder. The cordon which included his brother Shane and Martin Haywood had a good chuckle and offered some friendly batting advice. Shortly after he had his 6th wicket.
Dan Horsley was one of those bowlers that just hit the bat hard. I’m sure the commentators would say he bowled a heavy ball. He rarely bowled a loose delivery and bowled a great natural line and length and seamed the ball around a lot at Pratten Park. Terrific bowler.
Anthony Stuart bowled at good pace and had the ability to swing the ball away from the bat. As he proved when playing for Australia during his international one day career it’s a combination that would trouble most batsmen.
Brett Lee
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Gavin Robertson – I’m pretty sure Gavin was the first off spinner bowler that I had faced that had the ability to get drift and then of course to spin the ball back with a real fizz. I couldn’t work out how I would hit him off the square.
David Freedman and Adrian Tucker seemed to have my measure. Both high quality wrist spinners that rarely bowled a loose delivery. They always seemed to make you feel like you were under pressure.
I had the pleasure of playing a couple of seasons with Ian Salisbury (English leg spinner) in the late 1990’s. He had played a few Tests for England at that point and was right up there with the best spinners I had seen go around.
Adrian Tucker
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Michael Bevan – He pretty much always scored runs against us. Such a consistent batsmen that always seemed to punish a loose delivery and keep the good ones out. Great powers of concentration and just seemed to love scoring big runs.
I can’t split the next group of batsmen. Geoff Milliken, David Kelley, Paul Maraziotis. These guys just knew their own games so well. It seemed they were able to play to their strengths and were able to dictate the way the game was played. They were all very difficult to get out, super consistent over a number of years and managed to score heavily against us. Other batsmen had higher profiles, were arguably more dynamic and also scored heavily but I give the nod to these guys for their consistency over a number of years.
Michael Bevan
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
There are a few UNSW knocks that spring to mind:
Jason Young played a magnificent innings against Northern District at Waitara against a high quality bowling attack including Neil Maxwell, Grant Nati, Randel Green etc. Batting at No. 3 he made a brilliant 130 not out in a total of 240. The ball seemed to be jagging about all over the place. I have a feeling he got a deserved call up to the Shield Team the following week.
Dave Carson scored 160 odd against a very strong Bankstown attack with all of the shots in the book and Michael Slater often made the game look ridiculously easy; one day at Coogee scoring a magnificent 184.
Michael Slater
Was there any batsman/bowler in particular who whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Brad McNamara and Neil Maxwell were such high quality allrounders. They were always in the game. It seemed they were able to play the game on their terms. Whether it was with the bat or the ball, if they weren’t dominating the game they were making significant contributions.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
There are a few moments from my first season that have stayed with me. We were playing Campbelltown at Raby against the Chris Killen and Ken McLeod much heralded attack. We lost the toss and got sent in on a lively wicket. Michael Slater had been in excellent form and was clearly the big wicket. The Ghosts had concocted a plan that involved Shane Lee moving to leg slip, Killen bowling a deliberate monster leg side wide to Lee who threw the stumps down for an attempted run out!! Holy Smoke these guys are serious!!
Playing Fairfield at the Village Green, Steve Smith (the first one) was opening the batting and I was fielding down at fine Leg. A short ball was bowled, Smith rocked back and launched into a hook shot, the sound of the crack when the bat hit the ball was enormous it just seemed to echo across the Village Green. The ball was still going up as it sailed over my head. I can’t recall seeing or hearing a cricket ball hit harder or further.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
See comments above Re: Adam Gilchrist in Green Shield, although I recall his batting more than his keeping. Ben Nott a proud Cootamundra lad had a beautiful set of hands and undoubtedly the skills to play at a much higher level. Upon returning to the bush he represented NSW and Australian Country.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
I seemed to play a number of games against Richard Chee Quee in somewhat of a local derby. He was a super batsmen with a unique style and was a great competitor. Regardless of the result of the game he was up for a beer post-match.
I played Green Shield with Peter Burkhart at Wests and always enjoyed the opportunity to play against him. He played the game in a great spirit, was a great competitor on the field, and was always in the game and a lovely fellow off it.
Peter Burkhart
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
I can’t really single one out. I had the fortune of playing under Geoff Lawson, Greg Livingstone and Jim Dixon in First Grade. All had distinguished cricket careers, were great thinkers, had very different leadership styles and all had the ability to be inspiring in very different ways.
I was lucky enough to have two fantastic skippers in lower grades as I made my way up the grades. Glenn Clarke (Big Orca) is a gentle giant and just a wonderful human and was my 3rd Grade Skipper for a handful of matches. Peter Trimble was skipper of the 2’s when we made a charge into the Semi’s in my first season (91) and then the Final and was a brilliant man manager.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
On the field Matthew Hayward. During a rain delay ‘Jungle’ Jim Robson and post-match it’s a toss-up between Andrew Shaw who tells a great story and Michael ‘Kurly’ Kovacs who could entertain for hours.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
We were playing Manly at their No. 2 ground. Manly Oval must have been out of action. It was one of those games when the representative players were available which meant Geoff Lawson and Michael Bevan (NSW team mates at the time) were playing.
Henry was the NSW captain, Bevan one of the leading batsmen in NSW and Australia. Bevan was in no trouble at all and had cruised to 40 odd, but he was doing an awful lot of gardening on a very docile pitch.
Henry was getting increasingly frustrated with what he deemed excess gardening and slow play and decided to provide Bevan with something to really pat down by jumping up and down on a good length. Tensions were rising. Bevan completely unfazed, walked down the wicket patted down the newly scuffed section of the wicket for an extended period and continued on his merry way. I think Henry may have had to sit out the next match.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
Hmm. we were playing Penrith in Penrith. Paul Thomas had bowled about 25 overs for 25 runs when I went out to bat. I thought I would try and unsettle his rhythm and increase the run rate by sending one over cow corner towards Panthers. I charged down the wicket, missed the ball by a mile and was stumped by about half the length of the pitch.
Who was your childhood hero?
Rodney Hogg, Viv Richards, Desmond Haynes, Leigh Matthews, Steve Mortimer
Rodney Hogg
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Rafael Nadal, Paul Roos, Meg Lanning
Meg Lanning
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Ricky Ponting and Mark Waugh. I enjoyed the articles written by the late Peter Roebuck.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
I always enjoyed playing at the grounds that were close to the beach, so Coogee and Manly. There always seemed to be a positive, energised atmosphere particularly when the sun was shining and it seemed there was a bit more to look forward to during a day’s play.
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Not particularly, we did seem to have some good tussles against a very strong Randwick side which were often celebrated in fine style across the road in the Club.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
My father passed away when I had just turned 14. He was my coach, mentor and greatest fan. He absolutely loved the game and did whatever he could to help me improve as a cricketer. Up until his passing my highest score was in the 50’s. The game after he passed away I somehow managed to score my very first 100. Not quite sure how that happened. I often recall that day and the reaction of my team mates and their parents who celebrated with myself and my mother.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Not so much a win, but a roll we got on.
I made my way into the Second Grade team with 2 or 3 games to go in the 1991 season (whatever the qualification criteria was to play finals), it was my first season at UNSWCC. The team had been on a roll, having won the last four or five games to qualify for the finals, won the Semi against Balmain and went on to play North Sydney the Minor Premiers in the final. Unfortunately, it was rain affected but North Sydney were too strong.
The team would have walked over hot coals for our skipper Peter Trimble. It was a great experience to be a part of a team that was confident, playing well and winning cricket games at the right end of the season.
UNSW First Grade v Sutherland at Glenn McGrath Oval 1998-99
Back Row - Todd Hoare, Andrew Neilan, Dave Heysen, Mark Mullen, Warren Saunders, Michael Elliott
Front Row - David Carson, Geoff Milliken, Jon Horley (Captain), Damon Dermody, Ian Salisbury
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
A bunch of the UNSWCC guys from my days are involved in an annual golf trip. Dave Singer is our inspirational tour leader taking us off to different destinations each year. I really look forward to that trip and the opportunity to catch up with the guys. I will leave them all off the invite list.
I would go with a few of the guys I haven’t seen for a while. Adrian White lives in the NT, Matthew Phelps in the ACT and Dave Trafford in Singapore. Dr Michael Back wrote a brilliant report in our fortnightly Club newsletter and labelled these guys X, Y and Z after an action packed evening at the Doncaster Hotel. It would be a fun afternoon.
What are your hobbies?
I have three young kids; I love hanging out with them and helping them in their journey through life. I play a bit of golf when time permits. I try and do a bit of swimming to keep the weight off as the knees don’t cope with jogging too well these days. I’m loving the growth in the Craft Beer market and am involved with a local Craft Beer Company called White Bay Beer who are making some brilliant beers.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Move a toothpick!
Meaning don’t procrastinate just get on with it. Make a call. Even if it’s the wrong call, keep moving forwards.
What is your occupation?
I’m self-employed. I help start-ups in the Consumer Goods space with their strategies and plans to launch into retailers in the Australian market.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Well apart from having the tele on in the background to keep an eye on the scores, I’m not involved at all. At this stage, none of my three kids have the slightest bit of interest in the game which keeps me away from most cricket fields over the summer months.
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?
No. 1 would be to invest in the Grass Roots (Junior Cricket and Schools). From personal experience with my own kids, basketball seems to be winning the battle for hearts and minds in summer and AFL is doing it in the winter.
No. 2 would be to invest in female cricket. The recent Women’s World Cup was a super event and the Australian team was simply brilliant. That team, its talent and its obvious role models present an enormous opportunity for Cricket in Australia.
