Part 4 - The history of St George District Cricket Club 1951-52 to 1960-61
St George Cricket Club | February 08, 2024
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.
1951-52 – 1960-61
1. Arthur Morris becomes the second St George DCC player to score a double century in first grade. He scores an unbeaten 201 against North Sydney. (1951-52)
2. The club wins its fifth First Grade premiership, with Ernie Laidler and Ross Longbottom having played in each of the five premiership winning teams. (1952-53) - lead image
3. Brian Booth (692), Warren Saunders (678) and Bill Watson (590) all pass 500 runs in the same season. It is the first time in club history that three batsmen achieve the feat in the same season. (1954-55)
Brian Booth
4. Following an innings of 155 for NSW against the MCC in his second first class match and after only four first-class matches, Bill Watson is selected to make his Test debut, becoming the sixth St George DCC to represent the country. (1954-55)
Billy Watson
5. Norm O’Neill scores a double century against Northern District. His 201 not out matches Arthur Morris and Donald Bradman. (1957-58)
6. Norm O’Neill (862 runs at 123.14) and Bill Watson (706 runs at 100.8) establish a new club record in which two batsmen record a three-figure batting average in the same season. O’Neill also becomes the first player since Bradman to pass 1000 runs in a Sheffield Shield season in the same year. (1957-58)
Norm O'Neill
7. Norm O’Neill (233) and Brian Booth (123) establish a new Sheffield Shield record partnership of 325 runs for the fourth wicket against Victoria. (1957-58)
8. Wicketkeeper Ernie Laidler retires at the end of the 1957-58 season. For 30 years Laidler “gave magnificent service of a character which would be difficult to parallel.” His tally of 320 catches and 237 stumpings for 557 dismissals remains a club record.
Ernie Laidler
9. A “highly entertaining match” takes place at Hurstville Oval between St George and the Fijian cricket team. Flockton (142) and Booth (104) score centuries as St George win the match by 204 runs. (1959-60)
10. Warren Saunders (pictured) becomes the fourth double centurion for St George DCC. His innings of 205 against Northern Districts becomes the second highest behind Bradman. (1960-61)
