Michael Cant - cricket was a passion

Gordon District Cricket Club | January 30, 2023

Michael Cant was one of the youngest first grade premiership winning captains when at the age of 23 he led Gordon to grand final victory against Mosman in 1990/91.

A very accomplished left-hand opening batsman Michael scored 5,285 runs at an average of 34.09 and hit 13 centuries and 27 half centuries in a first grade career from 1987 to 1997.

Let’s find out more about Michael’s journey in the game

What year you were born? 

1967 in Grenfell NSW

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

It was in Dubbo and I was 7 years old. I think I made about 20 retired.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

I played all my junior cricket in country NSW. I lived in Cootamundra from the age of 11 so most of my junior cricket was there and around the Riverina. As a country boy I played Green Shield with the old Sydney club (now defunct) along with a few other country lads in Paul Ryan and Dean Gilchrist. Adrian Tucker and Kyle Thomson were also in the team. I left school in 1985 and moved to Sydney to go to Macquarie Uni. I played a season with Northern Districts before moving to Gordon where I played the rest of my grade career.

In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?

I was 18. I had moved to Sydney after Christmas and my first game was in January 1986 for NDs 3rd. grade.

At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?

I made my first grade debut for Gordon in season 87/88 aged 19. We played St George. I batted No 7 and Phil Alley got me caught behind for about 12. Every time I played big Phil he got me cheaply.

If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?

I wished I could have been an allrounder but my bowling days were limited to country cricket. I was a left handed opening batsman. I think it’s fair to say I was not the most fluent stroke player but I knew my game and could bat for long periods.

What was your highest score in first grade cricket?

157 for Gordon v Balmain at Drummoyne Oval. They had a handy attack with Andrew Jones as the spearhead, so it was one of my most satisfying innings.

What were your best bowling figures in first grade cricket?.

I only ever took 1 wicket in 1st grade. It was for Gordon v Manly in a 1 day game and I think the unlucky batsman was Bruce Minnett (caught on the boundary). Next ball I had a catch dropped off my bowling which would have put me on a hattrick. Who knows what could have been.

Who were the best three fast bowlers you played against?

Phil Alley – I always struggled with his height.

Brett Lee – I was in my last season when we played a young Brett Lee. We had 30 mins to bat before stumps. Simply too quick for me.

Wayne Holdsworth. Pace with swing. When he got it together Cracker was a handful.

Phil Alley

Who were the best three spinners you played against? 

Greg Matthews – the ball always seemed to drop on you, and he was always trying something.

Adrian Tucker was always a challenge with his big wrong-un. It was definitely an advantage being a left hander v the leg spinners and the sweep shot got a big workout. 

Gavin Robertson. I played Gav a few times before he went to Tasmania. A quality bowler and a someone I always enjoyed playing against.

Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?

Randall Green from NDs was someone who stood out in the grade ranks. He had such authority at the crease.

Rod Davison. In my later years Rod seemed to make runs against Gordon every time we played him. We just couldn’t get him out. 

Martin Haywood. Hit the ball so hard, especially on the front foot. With his long stride he was a hard guy to bowl to if the wicket was good.

I also had the privilege to play against the Waugh brothers in the early 1990s the week before the Australian team left for a tour to the West Indies. It was one of the rare occasions they were able to play grade cricket. Fortunately they didn’t make too many runs that day but Steve Small smashed a ton.  

Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Two stand out.

Shane Lee. The Oval had been heavily top dressed the week before the match and it was a very slow outfield with not many balls reaching the boundary along the ground. Shane played a wonderfully controlled innings to get to 100 and then went berserk with sixes everywhere and eventually made a double ton.

Mark O’Neill. We were playing Saints at Hurstville and everyone was struggling except for Mark. He was in a different league. We were all out for about 250 and Sparky must have got 140.

Mark O'Neill

Was there a particular moment in any game while you were batting when you thought, wow this is going to be a real challenge and a step above the norm?

In 1988 Mosman had former West Indian quick Wayne Daniel playing for them. I was in my 2nd season of first grade and it was very intimidating. I could still remember watching Wayne on TV as a kid. I didn’t make many and he had me caught behind with a short one.

Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Phil Emery. I had the pleasure to play a lot of games with Phil. A great keeper, very capable batsman and tough competitor. All in all a great team mate.

Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?

Ken Hall was a fantastic competitor. With the ball he didn’t give you anything and even though he was close to 40 years of age he was still very hard to dismiss. I remember playing a semi-final v Bankstown. We had them 5 / 120 when Emu came to the crease. He dug in as usual and after a few hours got cramps in his hand. Between balls he had to force his cramping hand against the grip to keep it in place. He ended up making 70 odd and saved the game for them.

Richard Stobo was a great bowler and team mate at Gordon. He won us many games. Definitely one of the first blokes I’d pick in my team.

Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?

Steve Day. A very astute captain but also a great manager of people. Was able to get the best out of everyone and create a very unified team.

Who was your funniest team mate?

Had to be Mark O’Neill. One of the best story tellers you will ever meet.

Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?

We were playing St George and the bowler slipped in his delivery stride with the balling dribbling along the edge of the wicket. My eyes lit up and I walked down the pitch and smacked it through the covers for 4. The St George players were not happy and I still remember Brad McNamara telling me that was the only time I’d ever hit a cover drive for 4. He was pretty much on the mark.

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

I was actually dismissed hit wicket twice in 1st grade. Once I hit my stumps back-cutting a spinner and the other time I trod on my stumps playing back to a short ball.

Who was your childhood hero?

Greg Chappell.

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Kerry O’Keefe. Knows the game backwards and is so entertaining. His passion for the game, including club cricket is infectious.

What was your favourite ground to play at?

Drummoyne Oval. It’s a very pretty ground with a lovely atmosphere. Plus Gordon had a great semi-final win there in 90/91, so it’s got some fond memories. 

What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?

Penrith was one team I always enjoyed playing. I liked playing at Howell Oval which reminded me of the country grounds. And the guys at Penrith (under Trevor Bayliss) were always good opponents. I did manage a few runs against Penrith over the years which probably helped.

What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?

There is so much. I loved the challenge of the game and competing. Batting (even in the nets) was always enjoyable. The camaraderie of teammates was a highlight and there is something special about the dressing room atmosphere after a good win. Cricket had also given me some great friendships, and an ongoing interest and involvement with the Gordon club.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Without doubt the 2 first grade premierships for Gordon. We won in 89/90 (when we were minor premiers and the final was washed out) and then backed it up again in 90/91. I skippered the team in the 2nd premiership which was extra special. We had a 25 year reunion of those premiership teams a few years ago and it was great to get back together and relive the glory days.

What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?

It has to be the first grade final v Mosman in 90/91. Day 1 was washed out. We were 7/80 at lunch on day 2 after Greg Rowell had torn through us on a wicket that was lively before lunch. With an 18-year Adam Gilchrist making 50, we scrambled to about 180. It never felt enough and even more so when Mosman went to stumps at about 2/70. But finals cricket is different. Our bowlers were superb (led by Richard Stobo, Warwick Adlam and Mark O’Neill) and we caught absolutely everything. After about 80 overs we took the last wicket to win by 18 runs.

Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?

I’m fortunate I still keep in touch with a number of my former team mates who are good friends. If I could pick three others to add to the BBQ group it would be Steve Liggins (a great fellow who was always so interesting to talk to); Adam Gilchrist (was such a thrill to play with someone as an 18 year old and see them go on to be one of the all-time greats); Greg Hayne is the 3rd. A superb cricketer and a champion bloke – whether he was on your team or the opposition, Boris was liked by everyone.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy playing tennis and am also a keen gardener. The SMH cryptic crossword is also a daily ritual.

What is your current occupation?

I’ve worked all my career in financial services, most of the time with Commonwealth Bank where I did a number of different Executive roles. I’m currently having a break (was meant to be travelling but Covid put an end to those plans) before hopefully starting something new soon. 

You’ve had a very successful professional career in business, what are the 3 traits you consider to be most important in leadership?

Set challenging goals for yourself and your team. Support and develop your people. You have also got to appreciate that different things make different people tick and that your leadership approach needs to be tailored to the person and the situation.

What advice would you give to young people as they start their working life or have ambitions to play sport professionally?

I can only comment on my experience. I never had any real aspiration to play cricket professionally (and wasn’t good enough), so for me cricket was a passion not a job and my career was always going to be elsewhere. But at the same time, you want to perform as well as you can in cricket and that takes time and commitment. So, it was a real juggling act. As I got older that become even more of a challenge, especially when you also have family commitments. With the amount of cricket played these days, I expect the time challenge is even more difficult. My only advice is to make the most of the cricket opportunity when you are young and have the time. 

Michael presenting Gordon's Lachlan Barnsley with his first grade cap

Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?

I’m on the Board at Gordon CC (Director of Cricket) and have really enjoyed being back involved with the club and Grade/Premier Cricket

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?

As someone who played in a different era and is now involved in the management of a grade club, I am a big advocate for maintaining Premier/ Grade cricket as the feeder for NSW representative teams. If grade cricket is to continue to be the nursery for NSW players it will require ongoing focus, investment and resources from Cricket NSW.