My Best Grade team - Phil Marks 1979 to 2000

Phil Marks | May 25, 2023

I played first grade from 1979 to 2000 across three clubs, Manly, Balmain and North Sydney. I played with some wonderful cricketers and had real trouble narrowing it down to eleven. Starting my career as an allrounder I’ve picked 4 of them in this side for variety to cover all conditions. Plenty of runs in the top and middle order, fire power and subtlety with the ball and natural talent in the field.

1. Greg Hayne - Balmain

Boris was an opening bowlers nightmare, very organised with an uncomplicated technique. Punished the new ball bowlers if they missed their spots and loved batting for long periods. Amazing Premier cricket batting numbers.

2. Scott Hookey – North Sydney

Devastating hard hitting batter with an attitude to match. Loved a scrap with the bowlers and started many, most of which he won. Destroyed bowling attacks all around Sydney including 200 in a one dayer against Fairfield. Loved to target short cover if the opposition thought they could get him caught there.

3. Mark O’Neil - Manly

Classy batter who had all the shots and loved facing the quicks or so it seemed. Got hit on the right forefinger every time he batted and told everyone. Big run scorer who loved batting and a handy leg spinner. Number 2 spinner in this side.

4. Peter Toohey (Captain) - Manly

A magnificent timer of the ball with a great knowledge of the game and therefore captain of this side. Famously hit between the eyes by Andy Roberts in a test match in the West Indies and then by Carl Rackemann the next season in about same spot. An elegant batter who played shots all around the ground.

5. Graeme Beard - Manly

Fantastic all-rounder who bowled medium pace and off spin. Miserly bowler who was very difficult to score off and had excellent variety. Top order batter capable of scoring big hundreds. Number 1 spinner in this side.

6. Shawn Bradstreet - Manly

Brother in law, had to pick a family member. Tough with bat and ball and will find a way to contribute, loves to get in the game.

7. Greg Dyer (Wicket Keeper) – Balmain

Natural glove man and brilliant up to the stumps against spinners and medium pacers. Very handy batter down the list who loved banging through the leg side.

8. Kerry Mackay - Manly

The most reliable and accurate bowler I played with. Made a fool of many good batters, loved fielding in the slips to him. Also handy with the bat in his later years.

9. Trent Johnston – North Sydney

Fast outswingers with a massive heart. The best quick I played with in grade. Scored important runs as well.

10. Andrew Jones - Balmain

Hurt lots of batters and broke lots of stumps. Also took a few wickets. On his day scary, with an ugly bumper.

11. Paul Wilson - Manly

Imposing bowler, hit the bat hard and high. Natural swing bowler and hit the same spot so often. Always happy to bowl late in the day. Loves batting but can’t.