Norm O'Neill Cup - St George v Sutherland
St George Cricket Club | February 28, 2025
This week in the final round of the NSW Premier Cricket competition St George will play local rivals Sutherland. In first Grade they will be contesting the Norm O'Neill Cup. Here are some details behind the great Norm O'Neill's link with both clubs and his amazing achievements.
The introduction of Sutherland for the 1965/66 season meant St George lost roughly half of its junior base. In an era when qualification for a Club was determined by where you lived, that meant 20 players were now moving to the new Club. Norm O’Neill, St George’s recently retired international superstar, was very nervous when he approached his long time friend, Club Captain, Warren Saunders, to say he had been asked to Captain the new Club. He was relieved when Warren gave his full support, stating that Norm’s experience would help get the Club off to a good start.
St George were therefore considerably weakened as they drew Sutherland in the first round at Hurstville Oval, not helped with Saunders himself ill, and unable to play. His very able replacement as captain, Brian Booth won the toss, chose to bat and led the way with 103, in the St George total of 5 dec 366. Day two saw O’Neill play another masterful innings at his beloved Hurstville, scoring 168 of Sutherland’s 280. Another former Saint, Don Harkness, being the next highest for Sutherland with 30.
It is worth noting that St George went on to win 1st and 2nd grades and the Club Championship and finished runners up in 3rds. An amazing achievement after losing roughly 30% of the Club.
Raised in Bexley and with a Sports House at Kogarah High named in his honour, Norm O’Neill was chosen in the St George Team of the Century, is a Life Member of the Club as well as an Australian Hall of Famer. His 1st grade batting average of 61.6 places him second to Don Bradman’s 91.3, the next highest is 49.0, testament to his outstanding talent.
After playing Green Shield for St George he had made his First Grade debut in 1953-54 at just 16 years of age. At 17 he had peeled off his maiden 1st Grade ton. In First Grade he amassed 3879 runs at 61.6 which included 12 centuries and a highest score of 201 not out. He scored a further 1087 runs for Sutherland.
He made his 1st Class debut at age 18 and scored 13859 runs at 50.9 including 45 centuries.
He played 42 Tests for Australia and scored 2779 runs including 6 centuries.
Norm O'Neill was also a useful Leg Spinner and claimed 129 wickets for the Saints across all grades and 100 in First Grade as well as 99 First class wickets and 17 Test Wickets.
Norm was truly a masterful allround cricketer who it is said, could have easily made a career out of playing Baseball in the US. He did in fact represent Australia at Baseball and was originally selected for the Australian team for the 1965 Olympics where Baseball was to be one of the demonstration sports. He was later deemed ineligible because of the widow's mite he had received in Sheffield Shield expenses.
When Norm O’Neill sadly lost his battle with cancer in 2008 our Club suggested to Sutherland that his memory be perpetuated with this annual trophy. They readily agreed and this wonderful tradition continues.
The two sides will pair off this Saturday at Sutherland Oval in a two day game with former St George cricketer and now Sutherland player Sam Konstas available to play Day 1. St George, currently running 2nd, will be looking to maintain a place in the top 3 in order to host the 1st round of finals at Hurstville Oval. Play starts at 10.00am.
