Ernie Toshack - Randwick Petersham Cricket Club - Heroes of the Ages
Randwick Petersham Cricket Club | July 21, 2023
Heroes of the Ages - Ernie Toshack, a member of Don Bradman’s 1948 “Invincibles”, holds a special place in the history of Randwick Petersham Cricket. Not because of his first-class and Test cricket on-field exploits, but because he is the only cricketer to have played first-class cricket while a member of the three clubs behind Randwick Petersham – Petersham, Marrickville and Randwick.
At 29 he ventured to Sydney to play Grade Cricket. Surprisingly, his first choice club Petersham couldn’t find a spot for him and it was Marrickville where Ernie made his Grade debut – in 3rd Grade. In the only match he played in that grade, he took 10 wickets (6-40 and 4-16) against Glebe. Promoted to 2nd Grade he took 9-94 in his only game and was immediately promoted to 1st Grade where he took 7-35 in a losing 1st Grade match against University. His 6-22 to dismiss Manly for just 59 however, resulted in a resounding win for his team.
After taking 7-60 against Glebe in the first round of 1945-46 and 5-82 v Petersham shortly after, Ernie made the NSW side where he opened the bowling with champion fast bowler Ray Lindwall. His progress was dynamic and he made his Test Match debut that same season against New Zealand in Wellington where he took 4-12 and 2-6.
Randwick Petersham Heroes of the Ages proudly sponsored by Bistro Bex
Petersham soon discovered the error of their ways and invited Ernie to join their ranks which he did in 1946-47. That season he played against England at Brisbane and returned match figures of 9-99, twice gaining the wicket of the great Wally Hammond. The following season he played for Australia against India and had the remarkable figures of 5-2 from 19 balls in the first innings and 6-29 in the second—match figures of 11-31. His first innings performance remains the record for taking five wickets in the least number of balls.
Because of his unequalled association with Randwick Petersham “The Ernie Toshack Memorial Award” is presented to a person who the Management Committee determines has made a significant contribution to the club, either directly or indirectly through the founding clubs over an extended period of time.
