About Me

Sydney University Cricket Club

https://www.sydneyuniversitycricket.com.au/

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Sydney University Cricket Club is one of twenty (20) clubs who compete in the NSW Premier Cricket competition; arguably the strongest domestic cricket competition in the world. Sydney Uni currently fields 5 teams in the NSW Premier Cricket competition, 1 team in the Metropolitan Cup, an U16 AW Green Shield and an U21 Poidevin-Gray Shield team, and the Sydney Uni Lions social team in the City & Suburban competition.

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Q: Tom Kierath began his grade cricket career with Sydney University Cricket Club in 1999 and at the time of publication he proudly sits 6th on the list of all-time leading wickets takers for the club.

He took 503 wickets across the grades at a very impressive average of 20.89 and scored 5,570 runs at 23.80 with a highest score of 123.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/260/sydney-university-cricket-club/blog/756/tom-kierath-never-give-up

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Q: Alan Crompton - Sydney University Cricket Club Hall of Fame Article

Many people cannot think of the Club without thinking of Alan Crompton.

He has been one of the giants of the Club, often holding positions of deeply symbolic significance and often representing the Club in much wider fields. He has been able to mirror the Club to itself; to give expression to its soul; to bring all his considerable influence to benefit all who have been associated with the Club.

By the time he was elected President of the Club in 1978, he had already served in various positions for 17 years, as a player, Social Secretary, Honorary Secretary, a Vice President and a widely respected delegate to the NSWCA. For the next 22 years (and beyond, when he served another 20 years as Patron before typically standing down to allow another to succeed him), Alan was to help shape and guide the Club to its current position of pre-eminence in Sydney Grade (Premier) cricket.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/260/sydney-university-cricket-club/blog/2044/alan-crompton-sydney-university-cricket-club-hall-of-fame-article

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Alan Crompton - Sydney University Cricket Club Hall of Fame Article

Many people cannot think of the Club without thinking of Alan Crompton. He has been one of the giants of the Club, often holding positions of deeply symbolic significance and often represent ...

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Q: Tuesday 10 June 1902.

The Fenners Ground, Cambridge University.

The Australians vs Cambridge University.

A bearded, greying batsman walks out to join wicket keeper Hanson Carter. Dr Roland James (Rowley) Pope is a former Test cricketer, playing his last 1st class game, more than seventeen years after appearing in his only Test Match.

A RETURN TO 1ST CLASS CRICKET.

It has been a diluted English summer filled with frequent rain showers interspersed with even heavier rain. The cold weather has seeped into the Australians' bones. Joe Darling and Bill Howell are in London, stricken with influenza. Monty Noble tries to recover in Brighton. Jack Saunders has quinsy and Dr Pope's instructions are that he be confined to bed.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/260/sydney-university-cricket-club/blog/1972/pope-helps-out

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Pope helps out

By James RodgersTuesday 10 June 1902.The Fenners Ground, Cambridge University.The Australians vs Cambridge University.A bearded, greying batsman walks out to ...

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Q: Five things we learned from Round 11 - NSW Premier Cricket 2023-24

New year, same old stuff

We’re a couple of weeks into the new year, which means that most of those earnest resolutions made late on 31 December are now receding into the distance. Not much has changed in Premier Cricket, either. On Saturday, St George won and Blake McDonald scored 184. Chatswood Oval had a road where its pitch should be, and Tym Crawford (pictured) smashed 164. It’s just like 2023.

Will Salzmann hits it cleanly

Sydney University went down to Gordon at Chatswood Oval, after the inevitable (but still impressive) Tym Crawford century. But they went down fighting, thanks in part to an exceptional all-round effort from Will Salzmann, who backed up his four wickets with a spectacular innings. Opening the Students’ innings with Jack Attenborough, Salzmann played circumspectly for a couple of overs, and then put his foot down.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/260/sydney-university-cricket-club/blog/1922/five-things-we-learned-from-round-11-nsw-premier-cricket-2023-24

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Five things we learned from Round 11 - NSW Premier Cricket 2023-24

New year, same old stuffWe’re a couple of weeks into the new year, which means that most of those earnest resolutions made late on 31 December are now receding into the di ...

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Q: Sydney University Cricket Club Third Grade Runners Up 1974-75

Back Row – Jenny Butler (Scorer), Geoff Keighran, Steve Ward, James Rodgers

Middle row – Lindsay McDonald, Chris McRae, Tom Jenkins, Rob Thomas (Captain)

Front Row – Laurie Bott, Lindsay Foster, Geoff Parker, Ric Hunter

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Ian Fisher - Sydney University Cricket Club Hall of Fame Article

Ian Fisher is the supreme example of a player who was initially and strangely rejected and unwanted by the Club and yet who returned to bolster the 1st Grade’s fragile batting, to captain 1st Gra ...

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Q: Ian Fisher - Sydney University Cricket Club Hall of Fame Article

Ian Fisher is the supreme example of a player who was initially and strangely rejected and unwanted by the Club and yet who returned to bolster the 1st Grade’s fragile batting, to captain 1st Grade to positions of strength, to inevitably top the aggregates, to inspire his younger charges with tactical awareness and belligerent left-hand batting.

In 1970-71, for example, the side relied almost exclusively on Fisher who scored 851 runs. The next in aggregate was Ian Foulsham with 298. When Ian scored 120 against the strong St George side in 1972, the other ten batsmen dribbled out 94 runs. Against Randwick in 1973, on a soft and grassy pitch, his 119 not out included 97 after lunch in even time. In his 100 not out in 1974 against a Northern District side that contained three NSW bowlers, his second 50 was plundered from only 17 balls of destructive mayhem

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/260/sydney-university-cricket-club/blog/1898/ian-fisher-sydney-university-cricket-club-hall-of-fame-article

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Q: Sydney University Cricket Club Green Shield team 1999-2000

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Q: Mark Faraday played NSW Premier Cricket from 2001 to 2016 and in first grade scored 5,383 runs at an average of 24.46.

In this Q&A Mark shares many of his experiences and as you’ll see he continues to make a valuable contribution to the game and his club.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket??

The 2013/14 Grand Final. Greg Mail was our captain all year and he was unavailable for the Grand Final for personal reasons. We still managed to beat a Bankstown team that contained a number of my old mates. We won outright after being bowled out for 37 in the first innings (the lowest ever score in a first grade Grand Final, I believe). I was part of a fairly critical partnership on the last day with Tim Ley, one of my best mates.

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Q: Five things we learned from Round 10 - NSW Premier Cricket 2023-24

There’s a top six starting to form

With this frantic season pausing for two weeks to catch its breath over the new year, the top six in First Grade is slowly taking shape. Anyone taking odds on who’ll be there will have closed the book on St George, who have opened the season with nine straight wins. Five Things usually reckons that, to make the finals, a side needs something between 54 and 60 points, which means that St George (on 56) could lose every game between now and March and still have a pretty good chance (although we do not recommend this approach). Saints are followed by Northern District (41), Mosman (37), Manly (33), Penrith (33) and Parramatta (31). But Penrith and Parramatta play each other in the next round, and Gordon (28), Easts (27), Wests (26), Fairfield (25) and Randwick-Petersham (25) will be looking to make up ground on whoever loses that one.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/260/sydney-university-cricket-club/blog/1864/five-things-we-learned-from-round-10-nsw-premier-cricket-2023-24

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Five things we learned from Round 10 - NSW Premier Cricket 2023-24

There’s a top six starting to formWith this frantic season pausing for two weeks to catch its breath over the new year, the top six in First Grade is slowly taking shape.� ...

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Q: Sydney University Cricket Club First Grade Premiers 2016-17

Back Row - Gary Whitaker (Coach), Ryan Carters, Tim Ley, Ben Joy, Nick Larkin (Captain), Greg Mail, Ashton May, Liam Robertson, Will Hay.

Front Row. Damien Mortimer, Ed Cowan, Tom Rogers, Devlin Malone, Hayden Kerr, John Kliford (Manager)

In a heroic effort, Sydney University has defied all odds to bat through more than 150 overs to deny Bankstown a victory, and in the process claimed the Belvidere Cup for the 9th time.

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Q: Sydney University Cricket Club Hall of Fame Article - Thomas William Garrett 1858-1943

Since 1999, the Sydney University Cricket Club’s Best and Fairest Trophy has been named for Tom Garrett who was one of the early ‘fathers’ of the Club. No cricketer has ever made a greater impact on the Club than Tom Garrett.

When he first played for the University at the age of 15, there was no formal cricket competition and eligibility rules were fluid at best. Matches were arranged between clubs on an ad hoc basis.

It seems that Garrett studied at the University but for only a few terms having been educated at Newington College from the age of nine. Because of his having once been a student at the University he kept his eligibility for 25 years.

In the 1870s, Garrett was one of the youngest representative players who have ever played for University.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/260/sydney-university-cricket-club/blog/1785/sydney-university-cricket-club-hall-of-fame-article-thomas-william-garrett-1858-1943

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Sydney University Cricket Club Hall of Fame Article - Thomas William Garrett 1858-1943

Since 1999, the Sydney University Cricket Club’s Best and Fairest Trophy has b ...

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Q: Five things we learned from Round 4 - NSW Premier Cricket 2023-24

Tim Cummins isn’t keeping wicket for Sydney University just now, while he recovers from recent eye surgery. He’s still seeing the ball well enough, though, as he’s made his best start to the season with the bat for a few years. University lost two very early wickets against Fairfield, but a bright stand between Damien Mortimer and Ryan McElduff had steadied the innings. Cummins went to the crease when Mortimer, who made a fluent 49, nicked the first ball of the second session. Cummins was quickly in stride, driving Jaydyn Simmons past cover for 4, then using his feet well to attack left-arm spinner Cameron Frendo. Frendo, an Australian Under-19 representative, is certainly a promising talent, but at the moment his length is a touch mechanical, and Cummins went deep into his crease to cut and pull deliveries that were barely fractionally short.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/260/sydney-university-cricket-club/blog/1673/five-things-we-learned-from-round-4-nsw-premier-cricket-2023-24

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Five things we learned from Round 4 - NSW Premier Cricket 2023-24

Tim Cummins is seeing it OKTim Cummins isn’t keeping wicket for Sydney University just now, while he recovers from recent eye surgery. He’s still seeing the ball well e ...

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Q: Sydney University Cricket Club - team of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/260/sydney-university-cricket-club/blog/1649/sydney-university-cricket-club-team-of-the-1960s-1970s-1980s-1990s

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Sydney University Cricket Club - team of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s

Sydney University Cricket Club – Team of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s ...

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Q: Five things we learned from Round 3 - NSW Premier Cricket 2023-24

Jordan Gauci is a throwback

When the 50-over format was first devised, back in the late 1970s, the role of the opening batsman was very different from the one that has evolved today. Today, the job of the opener is to take advantage of the hard ball and fielding restrictions by smashing the ball all over the place and getting the innings off to a rapid start. Initially, though, the idea was that an opener should play steadily, not doing anything too dramatic but ensuring that his side had wickets in hand for an assault on the bowling late in the day. Against Blacktown on Saturday, Sydney University’s Jordan Gauci produced a classic of that genre. Although he was always positive, he didn’t reach twenty until the 16th over of the innings, and he was happy to play a supporting role to Ryan McElduff for much of their partnership of 111. But then, at the end of the innings, he cashed in so effectively that, with Oli Zannino, he took 90 runs from the last nine overs. Gauci was strongest off his pads and on the back foot through the off side, he ran hard throughout and reached his hundred by pulling Jeremy Nunan brutally for four. He was still there at the end, unbeaten on 139 from 137 balls, and proving that sometimes the old fashioned methods still work.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/260/sydney-university-cricket-club/blog/1621/five-things-we-learned-from-round-3-nsw-premier-cricket-2023-24

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Five things we learned from Round 3 - NSW Premier Cricket 2023-24

Jordan Gauci is a throwbackWhen the 50-over format was first devised, back in the late 1970s, the role of the opening batsman was very different from the one that has evolve ...

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Q: Five things we learned from Round 2 - NSW Premier Cricket 2023-24

It’s taken Brendon Piggott a few seasons to climb through the ranks at Sutherland, but on the back of a solid effort in Second Grade last season, he earned a First Grade debut in Saturday’s 50-over match against Parramatta. He didn’t waste his opportunity. Batting with the more aggressive Tom Doyle and Ben Dwarshuis, Piggott began in a quiet supporting role, showing a neat defence and a fondness for flicking the ball through the on side. But in the last six overs of Sutherland’s innings, he accelerated, helping Dwarshuis to smash 67 runs. Piggott crunched a short ball from Dylan Stanley through square leg for four, then took the attack to Evan Pitt, slapping a four through cover and steering the next ball through point to the fence. He brought up his fifty in the final over, nonchalantly picking up a good length delivery from Michael Sullivan and hoisting it over midwicket for six. The next ball, the last of the innings, was another length ball on off stump, and Piggott flat-batted it over long on for six more. He remained unbeaten on 59 from 57 balls, and Sutherland’s 4 for 239 was just enough to hold off a strong challenge from Parramatta (and Nick Bertus in particular). No matter how many more innings Piggott plays in Firsts, he’ll not forget this one.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/260/sydney-university-cricket-club/blog/1594/five-things-we-learned-from-round-2-nsw-premier-cricket-2023-24

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Five things we learned from Round 2 - NSW Premier Cricket 2023-24

Daniel Sams still hits a long ballFirst Grade newcomer Connor O’Riordan made a huge impact for Randwick-Petersham against Campbelltown on Saturday, capturing 4-38 with the ...

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Q: Sydney University secured its advancement in the T20 competition with comfortable home wins over Gordon and Hawkesbury. The University pitch, it has to be said, wasn’t ideal for T20 cricket, being on the slow and low side (which is, in fairness, pretty normal for this time of year) and Gordon bowled well to contain the Students until Tim Cummins took control with an outstanding, unbeaten 68 from 38 balls. Cummins drove imperiously and, picking the ball to hit, cleared the fence four times to give his side a presentable total. Gordon’s chances appeared to rest on openers Axel Cahlin and Tym Crawford, and Crawford began brightly with a couple of meaty strokes. But the pitch always looked likely to suit Kieran Tate’s skiddy, stump-to-stump pace, and he bowled Crawford with his first delivery. Tate also removed Louis Bhabra in a double-wicket maiden, and when Will Salzmann bowled Cahlin, Gordon was deep in trouble. The game rather fizzled out after that, enlivened mainly by Devlin Malone’s mopping-up and Nick Larkin’s spectacular direct-hit run out of James Newton

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/260/sydney-university-cricket-club/blog/1567/five-things-we-learned-from-those-rounds-that-just-happened

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Five Things We Learned from... those rounds that just happened...

Strange days indeedWe’re not actually being critical when we say this – innovation is good – but the new Kingsgrove Sports T20 competition is weird. It’s n ...

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Q: Sydney University Cricket Club – Commencement announcement

Sydney Uni Cricket Club (SUCC) and Universities Women’s Cricket Club (UWCC) are thrilled to announce the merger of the two clubs, with the women’s teams now falling under the SUCC banner in time for the 2023/24 cricket season.

The move gives UWCC teams a dedicated home and increased stability as part of one of Premier cricket’s longest established clubs, boasting 150 years of passion and tradition, while SUCC gains increased diversity, a dedicated and passionate women’s player group and a foothold in the fast-growing women’s cricket space.

https://www.sydneyuniversitycricket.com.au/current-news/2023/9/26/men-and-women-combine-to-take-cricket-forward-at-the-university-of-sydney

https://youtu.be/R49LMkspZrw

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https://www.sydneyuniversitycricket.com.au/current-news/2023/9/26/men-and-women-combine-to-take-cricket-forward-at-the-university-of-sydney

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Q: Geoff Lovell became Sydney University Cricket player number 554 after making his first grade debut for the club during the 1985/86 season. Geoff had joined Sydney University after starting his grade cricket career with Gordon Cricket Club.

Geoff is a Life Member of Sydney University Cricket Club. He was selected in the Sydney Uni’s team of the 1980’s and was awarded a Sydney University Blue for cricket in 1988.

In 1990 Geoff Lovell had the distinction of being the inaugural recipient of the Bradman Scholarship which we will find out more through Geoff’s wonderful and insightful journey.

Playing for Oxford University Geoff played 26 first class games scoring 1,061 runs at 32.15 including two centuries.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/260/sydney-university-cricket-club/blog/131/geoff-lovell-keep-the-game-moving-forward

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Q: Alfred Beecher Stewart White 1879-1962

Patron of Sydney University Cricket Club – 1939-1944

ABS White has a record that’s unlikely to be approached or broken.

His last game in Grade Cricket for SUCC as an undergraduate was in October 1900. In the first two rounds of the 1900-01 season, he opened the batting for the Club’s 1st XI which was in exile, playing in the 2nd Grade competition for four seasons because of a protracted and acrimonious dispute over the eligibility of players for SUCC. White scored 60 against Norths and then 25 against Burwood before sailing to England.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/260/sydney-university-cricket-club/blog/1224/alfred-beecher-stewart-white-sydney-university-cricket-club-patron-1939-1944

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Alfred Beecher Stewart White - Sydney University Cricket Club Patron 1939 - 1944

Alfred Beecher Stewart White 1879-1962Patron of Sydney University Cricket Club – 1939-1944ABS White has a record that’s unlikely to be approached or br ...

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Q: James Rodgers began his Sydney Grade Cricket Career at the age of 15 in 1968 with Northern District Cricket Club. For 42 seasons James played the game he loves so dearly with the utmost compassion and generosity.

He joined Sydney University Cricket Club in 1972 and took 869 wickets at an average of only 16.03.

James contribution to the game off the field has been equally significant.

He served as Hon Secretary to Sydney University Cricket Club from 1980-84 and was the club's delegate to the Sydney Cricket Association from 1985 to 1993.

James Rodgers was awarded Life Membership of Sydney University Cricket Club in 1996 and the Sydney Cricket Association in 2004. He is also the Patron of Sydney University Cricket Club

It’s been quite the journey, let’s find out more as James delivers his story.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/260/sydney-university-cricket-club/blog/346/james-rodgers-i-was-hooked

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Tom Kierath - never give up

Tom Kierath began his grade cricket career with Sydney University Cricket Club in 1999 and at the time of publication he proudly sits 6th on the list of all-time leading wickets takers for the clu ...

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Sydney University Cricket Club First Grade Premiers 2016-17

Back Row - Gary Whitaker (Coach), Ryan Carters, Tim Ley, Ben Joy, Nick Larkin (Captain), Greg Mail, Ashton May, Liam Robertson, Will Hay. Front Row. Damien Mortimer, Ed Cowan, Tom Rogers, D ...

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Max Bonnell - develop skills to compete

Max Bonnell is a life member of Sydney Cricket Association, a former Chairman of Sydney University Cricket Club and a significant contributor to the game of cricket on and off the field.Let� ...

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Michael O'Sullivan 1950-2013 – Hall of Fame Article

Michael O'Sullivan 1950-2013On the day that Mick died, 3 September 2013, this appreciation was written. “One of the greats, one of the legends, one of the Clu ...

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James Rodgers - I was hooked

James Rodgers began his Sydney Grade Cricket Career at the age of 15 in 1968 with Northern District Cricket Club. For 42 seasons James played the game he loves so dearly with the utmost compassion ...

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Geoff Lovell - keep the game moving forward

Geoff Lovell became Sydney University Cricket player number 554 after making his first grade debut for the club during the 1985/86 season. Geoff had joined Sydney University after starting his grad ...

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Mark Faraday - success thrives on teamwork

Mark Faraday played NSW Premier Cricket from 2001 to 2016 and in first grade scored 5,383 runs at an average of 24.46.In this Q&A Mark shares many of his experiences and as you’ll see he c ...