Michael Coote - always back yourself
Northern District Cricket Club Sydney | June 05, 2023
Brad Patterson on Michael Coote
Every team has a heartbeat and Cootey was ours at NDs. Always positive, invariably took the early wicket, just a great team man and had a one liner for any occasion which would bring the house down. An enormous part of our success at NDs.
Michael Coote made his first grade debut for Northern District in 1977 at the age of 19 and what a venue is was for a young debutant.
A very popular team mate who enjoyed premiership success with one of the strongest teams of the 1980s in Sydney grade Cricket
Let’s find out more about Michael’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1958
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I played for Epping YMCA under 10s. I can’t remember what happened as it was deep into the last century.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Epping YMCA was my first club and I went to school at Trinity Grammar and played my Saturday cricket until leaving. I played Green Shield for Northern District (NDs) and played in the City 2nds at the SCG number 2 against Country.
In my last year of high school, I was fortunate enough to make the NSW Schoolboy’s side (now Under 19’s) to play in the Kookaburra Shield in Perth WA. We won all our games and were the first NSW side to win the Shield.
I also played Poidevin Gray Shield for ND’s. I played grade cricket with Northern District and 1 season at Gordon. At ND’s we won back to back 1st Grade Premierships.
At what age did you make your debut in grade cricket in Sydney?
In 1976, aged 18
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 against Bankstown at the SCG when I was 19 in 1977. Quite an inauspicious occasion, as I got no wickets and a duck!
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I was an opening bowler who predominately bowled outswingers and cutters and batted number 9. .
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
My highest score in first grade was 43 for ND’s against Western Suburbs at Pratten Park.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I took 6-34 against Gordon at Waitara Oval, now Mark Taylor Oval.
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Len Pascoe, Geoff Lawson and Dave Gilbert. Lenny was basically trying to assassinate you; Henry was a wonderful bowler with plenty of variation at a high speed and Lizard (Gilbert) was straight out quick. Dave Gilbert bowled a bouncer at Pratten Park one Saturday against us and it half volleyed on the sight screen. Mike Whitney as well.
Len Pascoe
Who has been the best three spinners you have played against?
David (Cracker) Hourn was incredible with his consistency bowling a difficult artform. Wayne Mulherin was a brilliant off-spinner with subtle variation. Greg Matthews was an outstanding offy.
Who has been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
I’ve had the privilege of playing against many outstanding batsmen. If I have to choose 3, I would go with John Benaud, Ian Davis and Peter Toohey.
JB literally smashed it everywhere. Wiz (Davis) was exactly that and Toohey (Rat) was a player with so much time. Other mentions would be the Waugh brothers, Rod Bower, Steve Small, Dirk Welham, John Dyson etc…
Neil Maxwell on Michael Coote
Cootey is one of the funniest men I have played with. Apart from being a very good new ball bowler, his claim to fame with the bat is that he mastered the ‘keeper beater’! The thick edge through first slip! He is very proud of that.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
We were playing St George at Hurstville and we had made over 300 the week before and had Saints 3 for not many, when Graeme Smith come in and smashed 185 to win the game. Wonderful innings.
Was there any batsman in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted their wicket?
John Affleck from Cumberland and a few other clubs
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Steve Rixon would be number 1. Others would be Greg Dyer, Phil Emery and our own ND’s keeper Tim Ebbeck.
Tim Ebbeck keeping for NDs
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Mike Whitney without a doubt and John Benaud.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
I was very lucky to have Ross Turner as my premiership winning Captain. Calm and calculating and had standards that had to be met. Another wonderful captain I had that taught me self-belief was Ross Edwards.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Brad Patterson and Tim Ebbeck.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
We were playing Petersham at Petersham Oval and we had just dismissed Brian Riley and as he walked off the field he would turn around and lecture us all on his perspective on proceedings. So much so that the non- striker, Graeme Hughes told Riles he needed to depart!
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
St George were a man down and we graciously lent them our wonderful opening batter Neil Howlett sub for them. M.Coote caught N.Howlett bowled R.Done for 13. Very embarrassing.
Who was your childhood hero?
Doug Walters
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Rory McIlroy, George Gregan, Luke Hodge
Rory McIlroy
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Richie Benaud
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Coogee Oval. We had some excellent encounters with Randwick. This was probably the hardest and toughest cricket I have encountered.
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Probably Randwick and St. George as they were such big clubs.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
The mateship. Simple as that. Nothing beats a beer in the dressing with your team mates and opposition players discussing the day’s play.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Winning the 1st Grade Premiership in 1985-86 & 1986-87. Back to back.
Michael celebrating with his opening bowling partner Peter Vilimaa after winning the 1985/86 first grade premiership
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
For me it would the 1985-86 1st Grade Premiership. We played St George at Bankstown Oval in fluctuating weather conditions. Saints made 192 and we were in trouble the next day when Brad Patterson made an excellent 79 not out. It literally was night time. You couldn’t see a thing. We lost a wicket and I had to go in after standing in the poorly lit sheds. Paul Stepto was bowling to me and I knicked one chest height that went between keeper and 1st slip to the fence. Murray Bennet was at 3rd man and the ball hit the fence about 5 metres from Max and he didn’t move. He also had his dark glasses on which wouldn’t have helped much. Dick French was umpiring and told Patto and I we had one over and that was it. Saints were minor premiers so a draw is all they required to win the competition. Patto hit a boundary and we got the cash!
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Steve Whitfield, Brad Patterson and Tim Ebbeck. I can’t split all my other mates.
What are your hobbies?
Watching Cricket…
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Ross Edwards told me to always back myself.
What is your current occupation?
I’m an agronomist in the fertiliser industry.
Let’s give your employer a plug, who do you work for?
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
No. Just watching
If you were running Cricket NSW what would be your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
I would ensure that all clubs recognised that the number 11 batter in 5th Grade is just as valuable a member of the Club as the opening batter in 1st Grade. I would also try to have the Test, Shield and ODI players play more for their clubs and mix with lower grade players at practice and on Saturday nights.
