Daniel Rixon - set the example
Sutherland District Cricket Club | January 31, 2023
Daniel Rixon became Sutherland first grade cap number 207 when he made his first grade debut on 21 December 2003 at the age of just 17.
In a tremendous career Daniel now holds the wicket keeping record for the most number of dismissals in first grade and the club overall.
In 273 first grade games Daniel took 441 dismissals including 359 catches and 81 stumping’s. For the club he played 339 games and took 498 dismissals, 396 catches and 102 stumping’s.
With the bat in hand he scored 3,576 first grade runs at 20.2 with his highest score 98. For the club he scored 5,873 runs at 25 including 2 centuries and 33 half centuries.
Let’s find out more about Daniel’s journey in the game.
What year you were born?
1986
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I remember the timeline vaguely, but not the match. I think I was 8 or 9 for Illawarra Catholic Club 10Cs. Possibly Gannons or Olds Park.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I played my juniors at Illawarra Catholic Club and the commenced my grade career at St George where I played Reps and Green Shield before moving to Sutherland.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I made my debut in 2001/02 as a 15 year old in 4th grade under the watchful eye of Peter Jackson at St George before being promoted later that season to 3rd grade with the great Greg Matchett.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Wicket Keeper/Batsman
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I debuted as a 17 year old in 2003 against Sydney at Drummoyne. I remember keeping OK, potentially missing a half chance on a hat trick ball to Tony Clark up to the stumps (I’m sure he would recall!). I didn’t do much damage to the scoreboard with the bat.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
272 for Sutherland in 2nd Grade against Hawksbury at Bensons Lane. It was my second game back from a badly broken thumb. I don’t have too many fond memories from the long trip out to Bensons, this is certainly one.
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Over the years I played against many fast bowlers who decorated my front pad and outside edge with red and white cherries, however these are three who came to mind.
Doug Bollinger – He always gave 100% on the field and is at you the whole time regardless of the scenario. Unbelievable competitor and class bowler who played every game like his last.
Trent Copeland – Wish this guy stuck with the gloves as he regularly went through our top order with incredible consistency and pride in his performance. He just never gives you a bad ball and continually puts the ball in areas you don’t want it. Unbelievable cricketing brain mixed with patience and ability to stay on the park and bowl long spells. CLASS.
Tony Clark – I had the chance to play with and against Slick. Even now he continues to be a real threat for the opposition to cope with. Like Copes, Toni continually threatens the front pad and outside edge of batsman for long periods of time. His career statistics speak for themselves.
Doug Bollinger
Who has been the best three spinners you have played against?
Jarrad Burke – Incredible consistency and relentless pressure had him as a genuine threat every ball he bowled. He has an incredible mind for the game, out thinking batters. Genuine competitor.
Stephen O’Keefe – SOKs class has been showcased at the highest levels on the biggest stage. Has proved himself at all levels. Has amazing changes of pace and just never seems to bowl a bad ball. Seasoned campaigner at all levels in all formats.
Who were the two fastest bowlers you kept you?
Daniel McLauchlan – Had the ability to bowl fast for long periods of time. I recall one spell he got 5fa against Saints, quickest spell I remember first to last ball.
Moises Henriques – As his younger years Moises was rapid and good fun to keep to, not so fun to face. Unfortunately injury got in his way of continuing bowling at that pace. He did pretty well for himself nonetheless!
Daniel McLauchlan bowling for Western Australia
Who was the best spinner you had the good fortune to keep to?
I was extremely fortunate to keep to some very good spinners including Steve Smith, Adam Zampa and Dan Fallins. However a right arm finger spinner by the name of Luke Dudman I kept to most over a long period of time, he had so much natural talent that had he decided to fully commit to cricket I have no doubt he could have played at the next level.
Who was the best bowlers you kept to?
Andre Adams – Still remains the only bowler to stand at the top of his mark (about 10 steps) and tell me I needed to stand further back. He was right. Can’t speak highly enough of Andres skills and ability to read a batter. The spell he bowled against Sydney Uni in the One Day final remains one of the best I have seen first-hand dismissing the class of Greg Mail and Ian Moran in one over.
Tim Bresnan – A fantastic bowler, competitor and bloke. I was fortunate to break the Sutherland wicket keeping record the year Bres played with us and I wouldn’t have gotten close without him. His consistency, pace and movement threatened both edges of the bat every ball. Has since enjoyed a VERY successful career since his time as a 20/21 year old at Sutherland.
Andre Adams
Was there anyone bowler who you really enjoyed keeping to?
Tim Bresnan and Adam Fleming were very enjoyable. They both had sensational wrists, carried through nicely and got A LOT of edges.
You hold the record for the most number of first grade dismissals in Sutherland’s history. What does that means to you personally?
As I mentioned above, I was fortunate to keep to some amazing bowlers, particularly in this year. I dedicated a lot of time and effort into my grade career and whilst you don’t play for personal accolades it’s a nice thing to reflect on now.
Who has been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
I have played against so many class players over the years, but these are three that stick in the mind:
Greg Mail – Forever the professional you have to work hard to get out. Technically PERFECT and as patient as they come. Never stepped outside of the gear he wanted to be in and read the game better than most. Saw all too much of Greg make batting look easy.
Dave Dawson – Dawso was a free flowing, graceful batter who was capable of batting all day or taking you down in a session. Was always the prize wicket and never gave it away easy. A very well rounded cricketer with very few deficiencies we were able to find!
Adam Crosthwaite – Crossy is the most aggressive, competitive player I ever played against. I have seen him pat back full tosses to the bowler in an act of stubborn resilience to preserve his wicket for his team, and I have seen him take the game away in an hour. Unfortunately for the opposition both resulted in runs and a lot of them. Class performer over a long career.
Greg Mail
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Hard to go past Phil Jaques’ 321 at Nth Sydney Oval in 2006/07 but another innings sticks in the mind.
In 2009/10 we were chasing 200 against Mosman at Allan Border Oval. We lost Jaquesy early and as a 20 year old Steve Smith stood up to walk to the crease he asks us how many balls for his hundred?
Being the nervous watches we were, we recited several clichés to then sit back and watch him score an unbeaten 134 off 67 balls including a six off a free hit where he faced up left handed. Fair to say, we were watching a pretty special young cricketer. He’s since had some success.
Can you recall a moment where you thought ‘wow’ this is a step up from the norm in grade cricket and had to really knuckle down to get through the challenge, can you describe the experience?
Early on in my career I remember playing Fairfield at the peak of their most successful period. They had Benny Rohrer, Anthony Clark and Grant Lambert scoring near on 1000 runs each, and then Don Nash, Doug Bollinger, Grant Lambert and Anthony Clark bowling teams out for fun. These were some epic battles.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing against?
I saw a lot of James Allsopp over the years. He made keeping look easy and did a great job with the gloves over his lengthy First Grade career.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Phil Jaques – There is a reason he is nicknamed ‘Pro’. He epitomises what it is to be a seasoned professional. The diligence and dedication to every game he played and every training he attended is testament to the bloke he is and the reason he enjoyed the success he had.
Phil Jacques
John Hastings – I was fortunate to have a bit to do With Hasto in the early days during U19s and University. John is one of the most dedicated and competitive people I have ever seen and confident he’ll achieve whatever he puts his mind to. At Uni he was regularly doing extra runs and strength sessions in between tutorials and lectures. His diligence to his rehab with a large list of injuries over the years is testament his resilience as a person and can be credited for the undeniable success he achieved. No doubt this hard work will see continued success in retirement. A great guy with many admirable traits.
John Hastings
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Matt Hughston – You think of the attributes that make a good captain, passion, communication, empathy and the ability to lead from the front. This sums up this bloke as a cricketer and a person. Very popular player to team mates and opposition alike, is the fairest and most honest player I played with and he demanded the same from his players.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Played with a lot of characters over the years however there weren’t many days Andre Adams couldn’t get you laughing in his own unique way.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Haha many stories may not be appropriate for this forum. However I vividly recall one exchange early in my First Grade career which put me back in my place. We were playing against a very strong Sydney Uni side and in the effort to build some pressure I was attempting to break the stereotype of the quiet, reserved wicket keeper by voicing whatever came to mind, often incoherent babble.
In the attempt to distract a young fella by the name of Greg Mail I kindly offered some batting advice. He waited until the bowler started his approach for his next ball, pulled away, turned to me and paused. He said Ricko, you bat 10, what the F#$% would you know? He then kindly apologized to the bowler and got on with it. With my team mates giggling away I opted to keep any further advice to myself.
Who was your childhood hero?
Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting
Adam Gilchrist
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
AB DeVilliers, Kelly Slater, Roger Federer
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Ricky Ponting
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Can’t go past Glenn McGrath Oval, our home ground at Caringbah however I always loved playing at Hurstville Oval.
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
St George. Local rivals, my old club and there is always something happening in these matches. Very competitive, but always in good spirits.
Daniel Rixon batting against St Goerge
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
The comradery and the competition.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Winning the T20 finals at the SCG certainly ranks as No.1. Steve Smith as captain, my old man as coach, swimming during the hottest part of the day at the half way mark with my wife and son, both matches going to plan and winning under lights. Pretty special day!
Sutherland 2018/19 T20 Champions
What’s the best win Champ been involved with?
Either the T20 Final win against Sydney Uni at the SCG (probably more so due to circumstance rather than the game itself) OR the One day Final win against Sydney Uni – To beat such a class side and watch such an unbelievable spell from Dre was pretty special.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Matt Hughston, Phil Jaques, Jack Leaning
What are your hobbies?
Playing with the kids (not a hobby, but certainly priority), Golf, Horse Racing, Gym
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Never ask someone to do something you aren’t willing to do yourself
What is your current occupation?
Teacher/Cricket Coach
Let’s give your employer a plug, who do you work for?
I am a PDHPE Teacher and Director of the Westfields Sports High School Cricket program.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Yes I am in my 5th year as Club Coach of Sutherland Distract Cricket Club. I’m also the Director of the Cricket program at Westfields Sport High School.
If you were running Cricket NSW what would your 2 priorities be to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Heavy investment in grade cricket
Maintain National Premier Cricket Championships to provide added exposure to the competition.
Where possible prioritise contracted players to play grade cricket to boost the overall standard.
