Ian Moore - you can’t make runs in the pavilion

Northern District Cricket Club Sydney | April 18, 2023

Ian Moore is the proud owner of Northern District Cricket Club first grade cap number 281. A highly talented opening batsman who formed a tremendous partnership with Neil Howlett in the 1980s when Northern District won two first grade premierships in 1985/86 and 1986/87.

A journeyman, a winner. Ian is a multiple premiership wining player in Sydney, Brisbane and Albury.

He played an instrumental role on the developing of World Series Cricket and has a number of great stories to share. Let’s find out more about Ian’s journey in the game 

What year you were born?

1958

Can you remember your first game of cricket?

Not sure what my first game was but I do remember junior cricket days for East Albury, playing with Greg ‘Livo’ Livingstone and against Nigel ‘Perg’ Perger (North Albury), who both went on to play in the great UNSW side. Perg on matting…now there’s a challenge!

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

It really was a journey. Not just on the field but due to circumstances with work (in my early days I was a greenkeeper/curator).

Sam Trimble and Brian Gaskell (who were coaching me at the Gabba) introduced me to John Maley (Gabba Curator) and I spent a year working there before John suddenly resigned. It was April 1977.

He rang me a few weeks later and offered me a job. An exciting opportunity but he couldn’t tell me much and I couldn’t tell anyone about it, not even my parents. I fly to Sydney, met by Austen ‘Ocker’ Robertson at Channel 9 Willoughby. Ocker signs me up for 3 years with JP Sports (World Series Cricket). Long days under pressure to create pitches (from scratch) for WSC. A wonderful part of the journey. WSC had the best players and without them, it may not have been a success. There is one step before that and without pitches to play on, they would have had nothing.

John Maley was the man. WSC Head Curator. He also played first grade as an aggressive opening bat for Wynnum during his time at the Gabba. From his very first phone call to suppliers through to world class pitches around the country.

Very difficult to imagine just how immense that WSC task was. Ian Chappell has said on radio “John Maley, he’s a bloody genius! The Sydney Showgrounds wicket was the best I ever played on”. I worked on that wicket preparation, overseeing casual workers planting the couch grass. One ‘gentleman’ pulled a knife on me. I guess he didn’t like being told what to do by a 19 year old.

World Series Cricket drop in pitches

Everyone has Kerry Packer stories, here are 2 of mine.

1. As mentioned, we employed casuals to plant couch grass into the wickets in each state.

Some were good, some not…time was of the essence, so I got rid of a few (80 odd). I meet Mr Packer for the first time and he says, “So you’re the bloke who is sacking all my staff?” “Well, they weren’t working, Mr Packer”. He nodded with approval. We got on alright after that…until…

2. It’s just days before the 1st Super Test at VFL Park, Waverley. We’d had just a few short months to prepare. Melbourne weather wasn’t playing fair and the pitch to be used was still moist. KP strides to the centre and asks me “will it be ready?” I discuss the weather affecting preparation. He says “get a chopper out here and dry it out.”

“Mr Packer, it’ll be very expensive” (rookie error). “Son, do you know how many ******* millions I’ve spent on this so far? Now get the ******* Channel 9 chopper out here”

I did, it arrived, it hovered above the wicket block with me rolling the pitch. The match started on time. He got me to drive him to Tullamarine from VFL Park. Best 90 minutes.

I was fortunate enough to be involved in a number of 1st Grade Premiership teams.

A journey across the states due to work or in the case of NDs, love.

East Albury - Premierships in ‘74/75 and ‘79/80.

The beginning. Junior cricket, 3rd grade through to 1st grade. Great memories.

Greg Livingstone was in the ‘74/75 Premiership team before heading to his Premiership winning days at UNSW.

Geoff ‘Spike’ Milliken was in the ‘79/80 team before heading to his Premiership winning days at St George.

Inserts - John Pearce, Bill Mackay.

Back Row - Robert Lester, Peter Hunter, Brian McCann, Greg Livingstone, Russell Blatchford, Jim Barr.

Front Row - Anthony McCann, Joe Wooding (Captain), Craig Allen (scorer) Graeme Fawcett (Vice-Captain), Ian Moore

Waverley (Melbourne) – 2 seasons. Enjoyable time, great people. Happy just to be playing some cricket at this time, given the long days working on WSC wickets. Occasionally David ‘Fox’ Colley would bowl to (aka bounce) me in the VFL Park practice wickets, as did Albury left arm quick Gary Gray (Footscray CC and North Melbourne VFL player…oh and Stawell Gift favourite). Some guys have all the talent!

Wynnum-Manly (Brisbane) - Premierships in ‘81/82 and ‘82/83.

Wynnum in the 80’s had a great team. Captained and Coached by John ‘Dinger’ Bell, who brought in young talent like Carl ‘Mocca’ Rackemann, Greg ‘Fat Cat’ Ritchie and John ‘Moose’ Maguire. It was known as ‘World Series Wynnum’. Playing against Colts in a one-dayer at Wynnum, the Colts boys, led by Graham ‘Grimace’ White, decided to create a banner “World Series Wynnum” to hang on the boundary fence and Brian ‘Dobbo’ Dobinson, who thought it would be hugely humorous, took it down and added “…and Moorie” as I was the only one who had not achieved higher honours.

Wynnum Manly DCC (World Series Wynnum)

(Back Row) – Peter Monaghan, John Maguire, Mark Gaskell, John Hamill, Carl Rackemann, Ian Martin, Glen Cohen, Ian Kelly, Ian Moore, Ian Gallagher.

(Front Row) – Noel Gorman (President), Alan Jones, Wayne Broad, John Bell, Greg Ritchie, Bill Albury, Katie (scorer)

Sutherland (Cap # 94)

‘80/81. Introduced by Steve ‘Stumpa’ Rixon.

Grateful for the opportunity.

Just the one season before heading to Qld for work opportunities.

Northern District (Cap # 281) - Premierships in ‘85/86 and ‘86/87.

Max Shepherd recommended and introduced me to NDs. ‘Relax’ had played First Grade at NDs and was Skipper of the ‘79/80 East Albury First Grade Premiership side.

Without doubt, the highlight of my cricket playing journey. Much has been said about the feats of our team and as with any strong club, the depth of the group was critical. A bunch of young fellas who happened to blossom into maturity at the same time. Well, not all were young (Steve ‘Whitters’ Whitfield) but Whit was complimented by the very young (Neil ‘Tubba’ Maxwell).

I loved batting with the talented Neil ‘Howly’ Howlett and Randall ‘Sleepy’ Green. And when I got out, I loved watching them bat together!!!!

In my opinion (I am not alone in this of course), we had the best Captain of all time, Ross Turner, who should be Knighted for harnessing us into a machine that never gave up, no matter the situation, who further enhanced an environment where we were mates on and off the field, gave everything for each other and enjoyed so many laughs along the way. At the end of each day, the girls would choose the restaurant and we (Cooteus) would choose the wines. Rossco’s field settings and man management were second to none. I still question though, why he kept motioning to me to warm up…but never bowled me. Rossco’s mentoring of Tubby provided Australia with one of the great skippers.

Ross Turner

And if there isn’t a Knighthood for Rossco…there should be one for Sir Austie ‘The Ger’ Hughes – ‘hold the tiger’.

I’d gone through a bit of a lean trot at NDs, sure, due to a knee injury and not getting my foot close enough to the ball (ok 5 ducks on that trot – I argue the 92 run out (read hobbled out) in a one day game after the 3rd duck didn’t constitute 5 consecutive gozzers but that has never cut it with my team mates of course) and Tim Ebbeck said “really Oz, what do you bring to the Club?” to which I replied “the beautiful and best professional dancer in the country”. Helena, who I married and have 2 beautiful daughters with.

UK - Somerset (2’s) / Devon / Torquay.

Great times. Friends for life. For those of you who have been there…I don’t have to explain further. For those of you who haven’t, Git-R-Done.

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

3rd Grade at Wynnum-Manly. 18y.o.

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

22 years old at Sutherland. Batting middle order. Brian Riley walked me from the boundary to the crease telling me, in no uncertain terms, that I was the worst batsman he’d ever seen. A bit ambitious given he’d never seen me before. I probably didn’t make many which vindicated Riles’ esteemed wisdom.

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

Opening batsman. Occasional offie (like all opening batsman, right?)

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

173. 1st Grade. Wynnum v Toombul. Obviously, Thommo wasn’t playing that game. 1st wicket partnership with Mark ‘Eddie’ Gaskell (169) is still a record, I think. We didn’t call, we could just see the glint in each other’s eyes and ran. I remember the opening bowler thundering down after I’d hit a boundary to reach 150, he stares viciously at me and says “that’s the worst 150 I’ve ever seen” to which I replied, “well the way you bowl you’re probably a pretty good judge”.

And the next ball was a….

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

7 for 25. 2nd Grade. ‘77/78. Waverley (Melb) v Richmond. Wet wicket. Not sure why the Skipper thought my military mediums were sufficient to warrant opening the attack but it worked. So much so that he opened with me again in the 2nd dig…drier wicket. Moore: none fa plenty. I could have told him that would happen I reckon. Frank Tyson’s son was playing for Richmond. I always thought Typhoon was a great nickname and to be Typhoon’s son and nicknamed ‘Breeze’, now that’s special.

Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?

Geoff Lawson – at Waitara one day, I was fully focussed and wanted to do well. Henry had just arrived back from an Australia tour. I’m on my way to 87, with Henry bowling quick, cutting the ball prodigiously and finding each inner thigh twice (subsequent deep tissue therapy required). My best shot for the day (or so I thought), an on drive just wide of Livo. Surely this must be a boundary?

Nope, my left-handed mate, the guy who I grew up with, who was coached by my Dad and who I played with in a 1st Grade Premiership at East Albury as 16 year-olds, dives to his right. As he rolls over, he throws the ball, right-handed, to the bowler’s end…direct hit. Out !!! Thanks mate.

Carl Rackemann. Having played at Wynnum with Mocca, me fielding at short leg, I felt like I was in a Test match. I then faced him when he played for Wests against Wynnum. Amazing pace (quickkkkk), and subtle (and some not so subtle) length variations. Gave me a new appreciation of just how good he was.

Craig McDermott caused some grief. I’d ask ‘Billy’ to go easy on me. He just told me to get out of the ******* way. Fair enough!

Special mention to Paul Carew. Playing against Wynnum in a one dayer at Wynnum, Carew had just been dropped from the State side. I said to our Skipper Mark Gaskell, who was also a State Selector “can you please not drop these blokes before they play us?” Anyway, good pitch, perfect batting day.

Beautiful. My brother Darren up the other end. Things are going well. This will be our day. Carew lets one go at me, it moves off the pitch and flush into my face (no helmet). Needless to say, I was on soup through a straw for some time after. I wore a helmet after that. Something about the horse bolting.

There are numerous others of course. Brendan Buckley (Sandgate) comes to mind. Quick as. I think ‘Eddie’ and I got his bowling career started one day at the Gabba.

Carl Rackemann

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

I’ll answer that with the best 3 spin combinations I played with or against.

All talented, worked well in tandem and could turn the screws on when needed.

Wynnum Manly: Ian Kelly (left arm orthodox) and Ian Gallagher (right arm leggy)

Northern District: Steve Whitfield (left arm orthodox) and Peter Tayler (right arm offie)

Campbelltown: Mark England (left arm orthodox) and Tom Shiner (right arm leggy)

Steve Whitfield

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

No words I can add that we don’t already know and appreciate for these 3 greats of the game.

Greg Chappell

Mark Waugh

Allan Border

Greg Chappell

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

Two if I can….

Brad ‘Patto’ Patterson – 79 red ink batting at 5 in the ‘85-86 Final vs St George at Bankstown Oval.

We were 6/120 odd when Patto enters the fray. I was out and had watched Neil Howlett and Randal Green bat, as usual.

Patto works the ball around sensibly before hitting Murray Bennett for three crucial 4’s just before tea. He’s 60 odd with Peter ‘Esto’ Vilimaa up the other end on 30 (Esto’s 7/55 was also a fantastic achievement).

Michael ‘Cooteus’ Coote comes in at the death.

Fading light. It’s drizzling. Umpire Dick French says to Cooteus “this will be the last over”.

Paul Stepto to bowl: 3 to win.

Cooteus edges one into Geoff Milliken sternum that he didn’t see, which went behind him for a quick single.

Next ball: 2 to win. Patto gets a thick edge (we think) between 2nd slip and gully to the 3rd man boundary. The boundary rider didn’t see it, ran the wrong way and the ball hit the boundary 20 metres behind him for a famous 3 wicket victory.

It rained as Patto and Cooteus walked off the field and turned to a torrent 2 minutes later as we drenched ourselves with Tooheys in the shed.

Now it should be acknowledged that if the rest of us batters hadn’t got out, Patto would not have had the opportunity to shine in the darkness.

Great dig under pressure Patto.’

I also refer to The Ger’s comment – “Oz, if you hadn’t got those 11 quick runs last night, we wouldn’t have won today” (mind you, we were 0/27 so clearly Howly got more). And that’s just another reason why the great Ger should be Knighted!!!

Michael ‘Bomber’ Bowers – very sadly Bomber passed away in 2021. I had mentioned to him that his innings of 88 red ink against Wynnum at Uni was the gutsiest dig I ever saw. Not only was it a good dig anyway but he got hit in the arm by our quick and had to go to hospital for an x-ray. Badly bruised but not broken. At the fall of the next wicket he’s back in, batting is not easy given he’s basically using one arm. He gets hit in the head by the same quick. Down but not out…he carries on till the end of play. Great dig!

Was there any batsman in particular who for whatever reason always caused you a few problems?

John ‘Hook’ Salter (Easts) – Rugby League International and gutsy cricketer. A Skipper who led from the front, as he does in life. This day, he’s up against Mocca Rackemann and Moose Maguire at Easts. They went full tilt at him. He ducked, weaved, nicked, ducked, edged, missed, ducked and hooked (of course)…frustrated the hell out of us but we couldn’t get him out.

Gavin Fitness (Sandgate) – Gav must have loved playing Wynnum. Always got runs, always ‘kept immaculately. Good enough to play higher for longer. Quality player and bloke.

Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in grade cricket?

Dave Gilbert, playing for Wests (Sydney). Northern end at Waitara. Overcast. A bit in the wicket. Short ball. Guided to the boundary. Tubby comes down. Congrats on a good shot (I was just trying to get out of the way).

Next ball. Good length on middle and leg. Forward defence has it covered. Leg cutter, knocks off stump out of the ground. It was the Warnie ball by a quick. Too good for me.

Tubby after the game: “You were the only one to get forward out there today.”

“Yeah but only after a huge step back.”

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

Peter Anderson. Silky skills. I’d love to have seen Ando play Test cricket. Just superb. A clean freak. Neatness a priority. Up there with Ray ‘Razor’ Phillips in that area.

When keeping up to the stumps to the slow bowlers, Ando liked to keep his ‘house in order’, sweeping loose bits off the wicket to the side with the back of his gloves. I used to enjoy flicking some more back to him as the bowler came in…just to p*ss him off. Watched him reverse sweep to go to 200 one day at Easts. Spectacular! Great bloke!

Peter Anderson

Steve Rixon – Albury boy who reached the top. The great Stumpa. Playing for Sutherland, Stumpa and I at the crease playing Sydney at Rushcutters’s Bay. A couple of overs before tea. I try unsuccessfully to cut the spinner. Stumpa comes down the wicket, tapping it as he goes, “never cut a spinner, especially before tea”. Good advice from my world class experienced teammate. Last over before tea. Stumpa facing the spinner… enter the renowned Stumpa cut shot. Nick. Out.

“Tea” calls the Ump. I wander over to the marquee with a cuppa in hand and sit next to Stumpa. “Never cut a spinner, especially before tea”. Now if you’ve ever been given the look of love by Stumpa, you’ll know what I’m talkin’ about. Best nightwatchman I’ve seen. Nearly always got runs. Great player. Great bloke!

Tim Ebbeck – great NDs wicket keeper who was integral to our Premiership wins. Led the enthusiasm of the team in the field. Very focussed, as he is at the top of the Corporate world. Caught everything, stumped everything, ran out everything, talked to the opposition incessantly. Superb job keeping to Whitters and PT. Gutsy and critical dig with Ross Turner against Wests in the ‘86/87 Semi to enable a Premiership win. You wanted Timmy in the trench with you. Dangerous in the shed. Probably more famous world-wide for his memorable Joe Cocker (You Are So Beautiful) and Don McLean (American Pie) renditions. Fun fact – Tim was a talented choirboy before he ventured into cricket. Great bloke!

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

Allan Border.

Steve Waugh

Allan Border

Who has been your funniest team mate?

Michael ‘Cooteus’ Coote (NDs). Possibly the world’s funniest bloke. I need a day of rest after a few hours in his company.

We were playing Fairfield in a one-dayer, the day after Tubby’s 21st. Clearly we were a bit shabby and we were in trouble when Cooteus strode/wobbled to the wicket as our saviour. After the over, he went to adjust his box…oops!!! Not there. The look on his face as he turned to the sheds for assistance was priceless.

Greg ‘Fat Cat’ Ritchie in the same league. Humorous on so many levels.

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

So many really. It’s what makes the team game so great. I played in the days when there were wonderful characters who wouldn’t get away with now, what they did then.

1. One that stills makes me laugh was during a game at Waitara. We were used to winning but this day wasn’t going to be one of them.

We were about to lose but so great was this team, the camaraderie and the belief that no matter what situation we were in, we could work through it and win. Normally you’d expect a solemn outcome. On this occasion we fell about laughing. Not sure what the opposition thought we were up to given they were about to beat us.

NDs v Sydney Uni at Waitara.

NDs 270 all out.

Sydney Uni 4/264 and cruising.

6 runs to get. Plenty of time.

There’s no great enthusiasm in our camp as the inevitable was not far away.

Finally, the 5th wicket falls.

Angus Farncombe sprints in from the mid-wicket boundary to his already gathered NDs team mates, full of enthusiasm he yells aggressively “C’mon we can do this”. We’re all nonplussed except ‘Sleepy’ who chimes in laconically with… “**** off Gussy”.

2. Intra club centre wicket practice. Wynnum first grade bowlers to first grade batters. Positions for the ‘83/84 Grand Final are on the line. Fast bowler Dobbo comes steaming in. Short and quick. I rock back and pull him to the mid wicket boundary fence. It bounces 10 metres back off the fence as Dobbo follows through and stands ‘in my face’ with steam emanating from his flared nostrils. He glares at me and says “and there’s ******* more where that came from”. I looked him in the eye, smiled, marked centre and said “well, I sure hope so”.

3. Don ‘Drongo’ Smith – Opening bat for Easts (ex-Wynnum). Wonderful player. No sightscreens late in the day facing the Test attack of Mocca and Moose. I’m crouched at short leg. Dobbo at silly mid-off. On its way through, the ball caressed Drongo’s nose. He swayed back like an Olympic gymnast and white as a sheet, turned and looked at me and said, “Still using Kookaburra I see”.

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

My most embarrassing non-dismissal (that possibly should have been out) was at Souths. Glenn ‘Chips’ Trimble prowling the covers…picks up, throws, I put my hand up to protect myself you understand, ball hits glove, I keep running…home safe. Appeals everywhere. The right decision was made. Not out!!!!!

Who was your childhood hero?

Ian Chappell. Gutsy, talented and great leader.

Sir Garfield Sobers. The complete package. GOAT.

Ian Chappell

Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?

Fred Couples

Usain Bolt

Roger Federer

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Jim Maxwell. So privileged to be able to listen to him every summer.

What was your favourite ground to play at?

Waitara (home grounds are always great and NDs had a wonderful curator, Kevin Haddrick, who was like one of the team), North Sydney, Village Green. The Gabba of course. Special mention to ‘The Rec’ at Torquay in the UK.

Was there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against? And if you could add a few words as to why

UNSW (Sydney) - good friendships were built long before I arrived at NDs and once the on-field battle had finished, we’d all go out to dinner.

Souths (Brisbane) – we had many great battles. ‘Chips’ Trimble used to smash them at me in the covers for fun. I’d usually get a few runs too which helped.

You played in both Sydney and Brisbane during your journey, how did grade cricket in Sydney compare to Brisbane – was there much of a difference?

Sydney seemed a tougher competition week in week out, with a more professional set up. The grounds were better. Slower wickets meant a change of plan from the bouncier Brisbane wickets.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

2 moments. The Premierships at NDs.

World Series Cricket Flag and Premiership Caps

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

As above. Tight. Tough. Satisfying.

If there was one match up, a bowler and batsman going head-to-head at their peak from any era, who would you choose?

Wasim Akram and The Don.

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

Brian Dobinson. Tim Ebbeck. Brad Patterson.

With these 3 getting on it and going at it, I’d just sit there and laugh.

Wouldn’t it be a terrific gig to have a reunion with a hundred great blokes you met along the way?

What are your hobbies?

Golf.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

“You can’t make runs in the pavilion”. I tested that theory more than I should have.

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

No.