Wayne Mulherin - make the ball fizz
Randwick Petersham Cricket Club | February 05, 2023
Wayne Mulherin made his first-grade debut for Balmain in 1976 as a spinner and in his first grade career in Sydney with Balmain and Petersham Marrickville he took 509 wickets at an average of 23.73 and took 5 wickets or more in 31 innings.
He is a proud Life Member of Randwick Petersham Cricket Club and a NSW Baggy Blue.
Let’s find out more about Wayne’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
I was born in Sydney at Canterbury Hospital in June, 1957
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I cannot remember my first game, unfortunately. We were always playing cricket as kids at school and at home. The first game would have been for my school, Borromeo, now Holy Cross College in the under 8’s
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
After playing with Balmain-Drummoyne Juniors and representing the Arch Cawsey, Moore and Watson Shields, I progressed to Green Shield with Balmain in the 1971-72 season. In 1972 I was fortunate enough to play in the Combined AW Green Shield (2) rep team v Country at the SCG no 2. The next year (1972-3), I went to boarding school at Lismore and played for my school, St John’s College and First Grade in town with the Workers Club. After that I represented Country against City Green Shield at the SCG in 1973.
On leaving school I played for Balmain from 1974-75 to 1981-82 and then moved to Petersham- Marrickville in 1982-83. Because of transfers through work I played with Wanneroo in WA in 1984-85 and then with Sandy Bay in Hobart in 1985-86.
Having moved back to Sydney I returned to Petersham-Marrickville from 1986-87 through to 1996-97.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I made my grade debut in Sydney for Balmain in 1974-75, when I was 17 after I came home from boarding school. I started in 3rd grade with Keith Stimson, the former 1st grade skipper, as my captain.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed on debut?
My first- grade debut was with Balmain in Round 1 in 1976-77 against Sydney Uni at Drummoyne Oval. The bowlers from 2nd grade the previous year, Kel Wright, Don Renneberg and myself, were all promoted for the 1976-77 season. The quicks, Wrightie and Don, plus Mike Murfin bowling his leggies, got the wickets as we won by 30 runs. I got one wicket.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I was as a right arm off spin bowler and tail end right hand batsman.
What was your highest score in senior cricket? For which club and where
My highest score in First Grade was 46 for Balmain against UNSW at Drummoyne Oval in 1981-82.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket? For which club and where
My best bowling figures were with Petersham – Marrickville. In 1982-83, I took 13 wickets in my debut game for the Club against Gordon and in 1983-84 I took 8-54 against ND’s.
Wayne bowling in his last game at Jubilee Oval
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
I have played against many very good fast bowlers, however, I’ve not had to face many. From the fast bowlers I have faced in grade the three best were:
Steve Bernard. Brute was always at you, was very competitive and with his action extracted good bounce.
Dave Chardon. Before I played for Petersham with Chard, I played against him when he was with Sydney and I was with Balmain. His control of the ball and variations were exceptional. I know I was a tailender, but I had trouble just putting bat on ball!
Dave Lawrence (Represented England). I met Sid in WA and played against him there in 1984-85. He was very quick and aggressive. Our paths crossed by coincidence in Hobart the next season and then in Sydney in 1986-87.
Who have been the best three spinners you have played against?
Again, like the fast bowlers I have played against many good spinners but not necessarily had the opportunity to face them. The 3 best spinners I have faced are:
David Hourn. Cracka had such variety and the ability to turn the ball. He was always the key discussion point when we played against him.
Murray Bennett. Maxi was always at you with great use of flight and enough turn to cause major problems.
Greg Mathews. Mo was the ultimate competitor with whatever he did. Great flight, turn and thinking.
Who has been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
The three best batsmen I have played against are:
Allan Border was a great player of spin bowling and valued his wicket as we all saw during his outstanding career
Geoff Boycott. This was a tough day out playing against him. I had the opportunity to bowl to him all day at the SCG no 2 and did not look like getting him out. He brought up his 50, 100, and 1000 run for the season against me. He gave you nothing as a bowler.
Trevor Bayliss. Trevor was a great runner between wickets and worker of the ball. As an off spinner it was very hard to create and apply pressure to him. He scored a very good chanceless 200 against us at Howell Oval.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen first-hand playing with or against?
As mentioned above the innings by Trevor at Howell Oval was the best I have seen. It was not only chanceless but at no stage did you think you were applying any pressure to him.
Trevor Bayliss
Was there any batsman in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted their wicket?
Not really. I felt like all wickets were the same. The wickets that really got the emotions going were those at the end of a game when you were trying to bowl the team to a victory.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
The best keeper was Bronco D’Jura. Whilst his hands were not as good as Steve Rixon or Greg Dyer, Bronco was an exceptional batsman who could have played at the highest level in our game if he had not changed to Rugby League.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
This is a hard one to answer as most players were very competitive. I am not sure if you would have encountered and enjoyed success without being competitive. If I had to pick two players:
John Sullivan was extra competitive, particularly with a shiny red ball in hand. The other person was Brian Riley. Whether Riles was batting or in the field it was always game on and plenty of action.
You played one First class game for NSW. Can you share with us the emotion and pride you felt when you put the baggy blue cap on for the very first time?
It was an unexpected but great honour to be able to play for the Baggy Blues. With both Maxi (Murray Bennett) and Mo (Greg Matthews) out injured I received a call up after being in the squad for 5 plus years. The opportunity was a little surreal after all that time and many overs in the nets. It was a great experience to pull on the Baggy Blue.
What can you remember about your first class debut?
Unfortunately, my memories are not great. I did not get a wicket and we were beaten by Qld. My figures were 0-69 off 17 overs. Dutchy Holland had a great game taking 4 wickets. He went on from there having a very good career for Australia and the Baggy Blues.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
I must mention two players in this category.
First was Mike Gatting at Balmain. Leading from the front, taking wickets, getting runs and being the driving force in the nets during the week. An outstanding skipper and no real surprise a few years later he captained England to an Ashes victory in Australia.
The second skipper I must mention is Greg Hartshorne. Prince was a very good people manager with a great knowledge of what was required to manage the moment. He provided great support for the bowlers whether it be field placements, encouragement or just support when needed. His record of Premiership wins speaks for itself.
Mike Gatting
You moved from NSW to Western Australia and then to Tasmania. What prompted the moves and how did you find the cricket in both states?
As mentioned earlier the moves occurred due to transfers with work. The cricket in both states was very different. In NSW I left at the beginning of the 1984-85 season. In the state squad we had a new coach, Bob Simpson, who introduced big changes to the way we trained. That included time trials for 3km runs as a pre-season requirement. Nothing at all like that happened at club level in NSW. When I went to WA the focus on fitness was definitely a requirement at club level. WA cricket, albeit without the depth of NSW, was very competitive. In Tasmania the cricket in Hobart was not of the same intensity.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Laugh is not the right description but to highlight the atmosphere created by Riles, I was fortunate to have played one season with him, I will describe the situation.
It was the 1982-83 season. Pete’s were one of the top 4 sides and we were rarely beaten at home. We had scored 350 plus at Petersham playing against Cumberland. Cumberland were skippered by John Benaud. The game was very aggressive with Riles already warned by the umpires. He was moved out of the action by Prince (Greg Hartshorne) and was fielding on the boundary.
After being on top for most of the innings we had Cumberland 6 for not many when an eighth wicket partnership developed with two young players. They went on to score the runs and win the game. JB then stood up in front of the stand at Petersham Oval and proceeded to let Riles know he had been beaten by a couple of kids. Riles was at this stage in front of the scoreboard, the furthest point away from JB. Riles and JB then continued to exchange words across the field!
The two kids were the Tuckers, Darren and Rod.
Who was your childhood hero?
I did not really have a cricket hero as a child. In my teens my hero was Ian Chappell. I enjoyed his aggressive approach to the game and his ability to lead and manage his players.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Mohamed Ali, Jack Nicklaus and Ian Chappell
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Kerry O’ Keefe. I enjoy Skull’s humour, and he is also very insightful in his analysis of the game and the players.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Petersham Oval
Was there a team you especially looked forward to playing against?
All matches were very competitive so I cannot single out one team in that regard. We always had a good after-match catch up with Waverley, Randwick and UNSW. (maybe something to do with the Eastern Suburbs)
What did you enjoy most about playing cricket?
The enjoyment for me was several things. First and foremost, the competition with the opposition. Then the camaraderie with your teammates and finally it was a great outlet from work.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Playing the game for the Baggy Blues
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
I will answer this is the reverse. The worst loss was the Final in 1987-88 against Bankstown. For me that goes back to 1982-83 when we were relegated to 3rd on quotient and played a semi against Bankstown at Bankstown Oval. We had them in all sort of trouble day 1 at 7-131 off 78 overs. We were then washed out day two. In the Final in 87-88 we were beaten by a better team that had many first class players. We certainly punched above our weight but were beaten with 15 minutes to go.
Petersham-Marrickville 1982-83 season semi final team
Commiserations after the final against Bankstown 1987-88
Paul McGee, Greg Hartshorne, Peter Rolls, Dave Chardon, Wayne Mulherin, Mark Atkinson, Brett Patman and Peter Taylor
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Too many to mention in this space and thankfully I still catch up with many of them these days. Whether it be our quarterly Lurker’s lunch, Randy Petes Masters golf trip or someone’s birthday celebrations. Certainly, cricket breeds a culture of mates for life. RIP Capes who passed away recently.
Centenary year celebrations for the club. A one day game for a special trophy.
Chris ‘Fous’ Sullivan, Graeme Hughes, Wayne Mulherin, Dave Chardon, Geoff Wright, John Sullivan and Greg Hartshorne
What are your hobbies?
Golf
Randy-Petes Golf Tour
Matt Appleton, Gary Goodman, Chris ‘ Fous’ Sullivan, Steve Sullivan, Greg Hartshorne and Wayne Mulherin.
What’s the best advice/support you’ve received?
During your time you receive plenty of advice and support. My dad had the wisdom to send me to boarding school in Lismore. Mum and Dad were not well off, but education was paramount. They made a big sacrifice to send me to boarding school.
Cliff Winning at Balmain. I turned up at 14 as a spin bowler. I used to bowl both leg and off spin. His advice was to stick to one and work hard on it.
Netting with Bishen Bedi and Erapalli Prasanna when they said you need to make the ball fizz.
Reading a book by Ashley Mallet about off spinning where he identified getting the ball above the batsman’s eye line was key to success.
What is your current occupation?
I work for myself as a consultant
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Yes, via Green Options, who are one of my clients. Last season the top 5 grounds rated by the umpires in Sydney Premier cricket were maintained by Green Options. Also, with Randy-Petes as a Life Member involved in the annual golf days and the Foundation they have that supports the Club.
If you were running Cricket NSW what would your 2 priorities be to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
The need to maintain the focus on Grade/Premier cricket as the main development stream for the players of the future. This will be achieved by retaining the experience in the Clubs, not only at First grade, but also the lower grades. That is imperative. It was a great foundation for me.
