Part 1 - The history of St George District Cricket Club 1921-22 to 1930-31

St George Cricket Club | July 21, 2023

The St George District Cricket Club boasts a proud history which has now extended beyond a century.

When the club entered the first-grade competition in 1921-22, few could have predicted the success and prestige that would accompany it in the ensuing century. As the club celebrates its centenary of first grade across the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons there is an opportunity to celebrate many of the outstanding performances and moments that have occurred.

With this in view, it was decided to compile a list of 100 moments in 100 years.

This is not a list of the 100 greatest moments in club history, but rather a celebration of significant achievements and milestones that have occurred across 100 seasons of first grade cricket in the St George district.

To ensure that recency bias did not creep in it was decided that each decade would receive 10 spaces on this list to complete the 100.

This has allowed for a greater balance across all eras of club history whilst also highlighting the significant achievements of particular periods such as the 1930s and 1960s.

The undertaking of this task has required significant reference to annual reports, statistics, and books on the history of the club. Of particular usefulness were the annual reports from the 1960-61 and 1970-71 seasons which celebrated 50 years of club history and 50 years of first grade respectively.

These two reports provided plentiful information on the early days of the club and of significant performances from these periods as well.

Let it be recorded that this wonderful body of work was compiled by Nathan Anderson, a passionate St George player and clubman who like many is proud of his club's history.

We take the opportunity to thank Nathan for his work and continuing a legacy forged by many before him including his grandfather, the late Brian Booth.

Part 1 - 1921-22 – 1930-31  

1. St George enters the first-grade competition with a victory in its very first match of the season, defeating Central Cumberland by 30 runs. (1921-22)

2. Lyall Wall secures the first five wicket haul in first grade for St George, capturing 5 wickets for 45 runs against Central Cumberland. In the same season he becomes the first player from the club to represent NSW. (1921-22)

3.  Ted Adams scores the first century in first grade for St George. Coming in at number 8, Adams’ rear-guard 104 not out gave his side a fighting chance against Mosman before running out of partners. (1921-22)

4.  Des Mullarkey becomes the first St George player to represent outside of Australia, when he is selected to tour New Zealand with Charlie Macartney’s team. (1923-24)

Des Mullarkey

5. Clarrie Target (520) and Reg Fusedale (571) become the first batsmen to score over 500 runs in a first-grade season for the club. Both men achieve the feat in the same season. (1923-24)

6. Donald Bradman, “A young lad from Bowral” makes his St George debut in first grade against Petersham. He scores a century (110) on debut before being run out. (1926-27) 

Don Bradman

7.  Bob Louden scores 175 against North Sydney recording the highest individual innings for the club in first grade. (1927-28)

Bob Louden

8.  The “meteoric rise” of Harry Theak and fellow first grade debutant Ernie Green helps St George to a third-place finish. The fast and slow bowling partnership of Theak and Green goes on to become one of the greatest in club history. (1928-29)

9.  Donald Bradman and Alan Fairfax are both selected for their Test debuts against England, becoming the first St George DCC cricketers to play for Australia. Bradman scored 18 and 1 on debut in the first Test, Fairfax scores 65 on debut in the fifth Test with Australia losing the series 4-1. (1928-29)

Don Bradman and Alan Fairfax

10. Bob Louden establishes a new club record for most runs in a first-grade season, scoring 777 runs. (1930-31)