Matthew O'Brien - always want the ball to come to you
Sutherland District Cricket Club | February 10, 2023
Matthew O’Brien made his first grade debut for Sutherland District Cricket Club on 17 October 1993 to become first grade player number 162 for the club.
In 208 first grade games Matthew scored 6,050 runs at an average of 27.75 and hit 3 hundreds and 37 half centuries.
At the time of publication Matthew is not only the 6th highest first grade run scorer for Sutherland DCC he is also the 6th highest run scorer across all grades for the club. 9,181 runs at 29 with 6 hundreds and 54 half centuries/
Matthew is also a former Sutherland DCC first grade captain.
What year you were born?
1974
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
I remember playing 10E as an 8 year old and the season was modified for half and traditional with order rotation for half. I had an average of 215 from memory with all of them pull shots.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
One club player in juniors and seniors in Sydney for St. John Bosco Cricket Club in Engadine then Sutherland DCC. I also played twice in England in Central Lancashire League for Ashton-under-Lyne (with Luke Hodgson) and the following season in the Devon Premier League for Sandford.
I also played for NSW Colts, Sydney South East in State League Cup and Sydney XI. Won two 1st Grade Premierships and one One-Day Premiership. Perhaps little known was that I had to make a choice between rugby league and cricket at aged 19 as I was playing Presidents Cup Under 21 for Cronulla Sharks and 1st grade cricket at the same time – possibly one of the last to be able to do this as sports make you choose much younger now.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
16 in 5th grade under the great David ‘Doc’ Givney who played grade with my dad (who was his school teacher!) unless you count the AW Green Shield seasons where we won it in 89-90.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
Oh, this is something I’ll never forget… I was 19 two days earlier and we arrived at Raby Oval against Campbelltown-Camden on a cool and dark cloudy day to a raging green top! Not the best sight as an opening batsman. I had heard that Shane Lee was quite quick on his day but there was a buzz around grade about how quick his young brother was (not sure if it was his debut also perhaps?).
John Dyson, won the toss, and sent the Ghosts in. Geoff ‘Red’ Barron bowled a scary spell and put two of their best batsmen in hospital (Scott Will and Corey Richards). I was fielding in at short leg and was told by Evan Atkins to give Scott Will my helmet who had for some reason come out in a white floppy hat?! I wasn’t sure if it was genuine concern or just a sledge from Evan, who was quite good at it but Scott should have accepted it.
To say that the sight of two really good players being hit and falling at my feet wasn’t the greatest confidence boost to me is an understatement!
When it came our turn to bat, I remember marking centre facing the stumps and making the mistake of looking up at the keeper and slips who were standing more than halfway to the boundary! I never faced a quicker spell again in my career, I was battered and bruised by Brett but survived for a while to get 37.
Brett Lee on Test debut just a few years later
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I was a left-hand opening batsman who in the last few years discovered it was a lot easier to bat in the middle order. I liked fielding, weird I know, but I always felt I could help the team with a catch or runout. I was very proud of not dropping many chances and was filthy if I didn’t hit the stumps for a run out.
What was your highest score in first grade cricket?
118* vs St George at Caringbah Oval (Glenn McGrath Oval)… we needed 7 to win off last two balls with Moises Henriques bowling (we were 8 or 9 wickets down). The 2nd last ball cleared long on but half-volleyed the fence in front of the dressing rooms! Didn’t get the 3 required off the last ball so it was a draw, I left it just too late.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I rarely bowled but I did get some noteworthy scalps, Gregg Everest, Richard Chee Quee, Matthew Phelps and Corey Richards!!!
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Hard to name just a few as it seemed that every club had a couple of really good quicks when I started.
Brett Lee for raw speed
James Le Huray was a super bowler but hampered by injury
Richard Burton and Warwick Adlam seemed to get me regularly.
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
David Freedman and Ken Hall were difficult to play against especially as they were bowling together. There was no easy runs to Ken and Freddy turned it a long way both ways.
Gavin Robertson was a terrific bowler with a good arm ball and was always creating theatre around each delivery like all really good spinners.
David Freedman
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Michael Bevan got an awesome 150 not out against us when Stuart MacGill was ripping through sides that season.
Greg Mail, Jeremy Bray and Greg Haynes were really hard to get out, always busy at the crease and looking to score.
I also played Gus Logie and Dave Callaghan in England and they scored a century in every match against us!
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
That’s easy, Phil Jaques played the greatest innings in Sydney Grade Cricket history and I had the best seat in the house at the non-striker’s end for the last part of it.
We were sent in on a wicket that was wet on top at North Sydney Oval and the first session was a struggle but we got to lunch at 1 for 100. After lunch it dried more and we made it to tea at 2 for 236 and after tea it was a road and Jaquesy went ballistic hitting the ball wherever he wanted and was eventually caught on the fence by their tallest fielder jumping up to catch him as it was sailing over for another six. He finished on 321 just 14 short of Victor Trumper’s record and had 2 more overs to bat in the day. We finished on 6 for 500 at the end of the day!!
Phil Jacques
Was there a bowler in particular who just had the knack of challenging more than most?
In addition to bowlers I mentioned above my childhood friend Tim Lawler bowled beautiful left arm swing and would take my off bail season after season as I was still looking down the pitch at the line I thought it was. We have been best mates ever since.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
We were blessed at Sutherland with fantastic keepers during my time. Hard to split Evan Atkins or Linton Ball. Shane Duff and Daniel Rixon were also exceptional.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
I can’t have just two… it was a pleasure standing at the other end when batting with Phil Jaques, Jason Young and Matthew Bradley then watching, normally from the sheds, Jason Holley tear attacks apart. We all fed off each other’s success or helped through struggles and also drove the fielding efforts behind our super skilled bowlers such as Stuart Clark, Tony Clark, Graeme Warren, Daniel McLachlan, Luke Dudman just to name a few! When I look back it’s no wonder we were a successful club in that era.
You top scored for Sutherland in the 1995/96 Grand Final against Bankstown scoring 85 opening the batting against Holdsworth, Bracken, Thompson, Steve Waugh, Mark Waugh, David Freedman and Ken Hall, a first class attack, and laid the platform for Sutherland to win the premiership. What are your memories of the innings and the grand final?
In hindsight I guess it was the single day highlight of my career. It’s what most people ask me about… I remember the team coming into the game on a wave of momentum and had ‘nothing to lose’.
I had a good warm up and when I ran out Shane Dietz at the bowler’s end with a direct hit from cover point on the run, I knew I was going to have a good day. I remember Nathan Bracken bowled a few half volleys and short wide ones which was most unlike him and I was away. They applied a lot of pressure with the spinners and crowded the bat with some good banter. I remember Steve Waugh standing at silly mid-off, Mark Waugh at 1st slip, Steve Small at bat pad and Shane Dietz as keeper with Freddy bowling and Steve said “I’ll make more runs than you O’Brien and win this match”!
I stepped away, never said a word throughout the innings but remember smiling and thinking to myself ‘Wow, Steve Waugh knows your name and just sledged you!’
I cramped up badly that night being 70 not out and couldn’t move very well the next morning so eventually hit Holdsworth to Steve Waugh at short cover.
I do remember also taking a vital catch to dismiss Dean Waugh who was looking dangerous in the 2nd innings off MacGill to pretty much seal our victory.
Matthew O'Brien batting in the grand final against Bankstown
I remember that everyone in the team contributed in some way in that final and proved that a “great team will often beat a team of great players”. We didn’t know quite how good our team actually was at the time but when you look back at the names and look at their careers it was a fantastic team!
As Dean Waugh said “the Goldfish have finally become The Sharks!”
After the match in the dressing rooms I went over to Steve Waugh and produced an old bat of his that my sister had won when we were kids in a Daily Mirror competition. It had his autograph on the back that had faded over the years so I asked him to re-do it “To Katie, All the Best, Steve Waugh”. I think he thought it was weird but I got a buzz from it and I promised my sister I’d do it as she had let me use the bat.
1995/96 Sutherland v Bankstown scorecard
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Jason Young was a great player and captain. He demanded a high level of skill, always played in the right spirit with some difficult characters to handle and did it with a smile. You wanted to do your best for Youngy.
Jason Young batting for Sutherland
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Linton Ball followed by Evan Atkins… what is it about funny keepers?! Both very quick witted.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
It was serious but kind of funny at the same time. Rod Davison and Stuart McGill had an altercation in the dressing room before play. Only Linton Ball and I were there to witness it from memory… it was about the use of a Kookaburra or Platypus ball and MacGill only ever wanted to bowl with Kookas.
I think Darren Mitchell, as he left the change room, told MacGill that Rod was going to use a Platypus as he didn’t have any Kookas (which was just a gee up by Mitch to fire up MacGill) so MacGill fronted Rod as he was reaching in to his kit and slapped him across the cheek.
Rod looked up and said in a really whiny voice ‘What did ya do that for” as MacGill walked out of the room. Linton and I looked at each other in sort of disbelief and then recounted the voice to the others which then became funny.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
At Coogee Oval in the One-Day Final one year I was on 50 and backed up too far, and was lazy not to get back quicker, only to see Anthony Stuart throw down the stumps from mid-off. It was awful.
Who was your childhood hero?
I always wanted to be Viv Richards or Allan Border when batting, Bruce Yardley or Dennis Lillee bowling and Roger Harper when fielding. I actually got to play against Roger Harper in England at a benefit match and while batting with Danny Waugh he hit it just forward of point and called “Yes” to which I immediately said “NO!”
He turned and dived back into his crease as the keeper was just realising that the ball was already back in his gloves and that he should break the stumps. Danny brushed himself off and looked at me as we said to each other “No run there!”
Allan Border
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Ricky Ponting for knowledge but Kerry O’Keefe for a real belly laugh.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
I’d love a round of golf with Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Ricky Ponting.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
North Sydney Oval and Glenn McGrath Oval of course.
Was there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Gordon and North Sydney as I made a few runs…
What’s your nickname?
MOB or Mobby. I swear some people wouldn’t know my first name… even teachers called me that.
Did you have a saying that people associate with you?
I was terrible at being ready on time... I’d always say “they can’t start without me!”
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
The competitive aspect and the life skills that cricket in particular teaches you over other team sports about resilience, mental toughness, humour, mateship, controlling only what is in front you and your own ethics.
Sutherland DCC 1995/96 First Grade Premiers
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
So many…Individually, topping the 1st grade batting averages one season in 2004/05 and a couple of near misses by nearly winning the Bill O’Reilly Medal for best player in Sydney (almost always won by all-rounders) as I got run down by Jarrad Burke who won man-of-the-match in his last 3 games to pip me by 1 point!
Also, being just beaten to the Richie Benaud Medal by Glenn McGrath for the 1995/96 player of the final – he deserved it though. Lastly, hitting a six at the SCG for Sutho against Riverina as winners of the one-day City and Country cups respectively.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Hard to beat the two 1st Grade premierships and a One-Day premiership! I’m also very proud of Sutho winning the Spirit of Cricket Award in 2005-06 when I was captain and missing out on the final that year by one wicket.
Matthew O'Brien with the Belvidere Cup 1995/96
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Linton Ball, Stuart Clark, Jason Young and Jason Packer – need 4 for most of these lists. They are all good fun and we all have much better halves nowadays to enjoy it with!
What are your hobbies?
Kids sport dominates my life. I’d love to play more golf but I have 3 boys and 1 girl and they are all super active with sports all year round. Family is priority for me.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Always want the ball to come to you and you only need to focus on the next one.
What is your current occupation?
I’ve been selling Dental Equipment for almost 25 years.
Let’s give your employer a plug, who do you work for?
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
I’m the Competition Manager for Sutherland Shire Junior Cricket, I coach an U11 rep team and U12 Gymea Bay team. All 3 boys play in U16, U12 & U10 so I’ll be involved for a while to come!
What do you most commonly tell your kids or others about your playing days when asked?
I tell them I was super lucky to play with and against many players that did or could have played for NSW or Australia and it taught me a lot of life skills. I used to tell kids that I was Glenn McGrath’s last 1st grade captain…that was until kids starting looking blankly at me and saying “Who?” so I remind them of who he is and then I say “ok, I was also Steve Smith’s first 1st grade captain!”. I feel like I spanned quite a long period of cricket when I recall that John Dyson was my first captain and I picked Steve Smith.
If you were running Cricket NSW what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Ensure that Test and State players must play grade cricket when available and return to local clubs for coaching clinics.
New shorter junior formats are good for most but at higher level and ages (14A & 16A) you must have longer form cricket as it will challenge the better players more and allow more game sense over longer formats i.e. 50 overs.
