Michael Maclennan - Benaud medal winner
Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club Sydney | February 19, 2023
Michael Maclennan began his grade cricket career in 1990/91 when he joined Waverley/Eastern Suburbs after growing up in the Sutherland Shire in Sydney.
In 25 seasons of grade cricket Michael has won three premierships, a Benaud medal for the player of the match in the first grade grand final and was selected as one of the top 50 contenders for the Waverley/Eastern Suburbs team of 125 years
Let’s find out more about Michael’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1975 and lived in Sutherland Shire all my life
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Yes, I was 6 playing for Belmore Rovers with my brother (for some reason that’s where Dad played) No idea how I went so it could not have been that memorable
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
After the first year I played all my junior cricket in Sutherland Shire for Miranda Magpies and Gymea Bay. I played a couple of seasons of junior representative cricket and only 1 Green Shield season for Sutherland.
At 16 went and trialled with Waverley (Easts CC) and spent 24 very enjoyable playing years there.
I did have 1 season at Sutherland and 2 seasons in the UK at Cheddar in Somerset and Maldon in Essex
What other sports do you play?
I played pretty much any sport with a ball in it. In winter league and AFL. Currently golf entertains my weekends
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I was 16 and played in 5th grade for Waverley against Parramatta. The wiley John Aitken got me LBW 2nd ball. Not a great start.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and what can you remember about the game?
I was 21 and it was the last game of the season against Mosman at Waverley Oval. It was memorable as at the end of the first days play Brett Lee bowled an amazingly quick spell and had hit two of our players in the helmet and one had been taken off the field. Greg Matthews was the captain and asked if I wanted to be nightwatchman!!! (Crapping myself) I was “yeah sure”, Mark Patterson stepped in and said no “all good I’ll go into to bat.”
Think I scored about 10 and took a catch.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer? Batsman, bowler, allrounder, wicket keeper etc
A good 2nd slipper!
A competitor who just loved playing. A bit of an allrounder (albeit not a great one). Although fortunate to be a wicket keeper, batsman and could bowl. In first grade I was mainly a batsman/bowler. Steady honest cricketer who enjoyed being in a contest.
You were selected in the top 50 contenders for Waverley/ Eastern Suburbs team of 125 years, a tremendous accolade and one you must be very proud of. What did it mean to you?
I’m extremely honoured to be nominated in such amazing company and quality players. You don’t play for accolades but being named in the same paragraph as some of the great Waverley/Eastern suburb’s players is very humbling.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
Highest score was my last grade game, 136 not out for Easts playing at Trumper Park
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Might amaze a few people, 8 for 32 playing in England for Cheddar in the first game of the season. They knew I was a keeper batsman but they were a bowler short. I’d bowled a few in ther nets when I arrived and then on the Saturday they said “you ok to open the bowling”, I was like you serious sure I’ll give it a go.
In a 2nd grade game for East at Waverley Oval against Campbelltown, 7 for 42
For a number of seasons you played as a wicket keeping batsman. Did you see yourself as a fulltime wicket keeper or under what circumstances did you don the gloves?
I was always a wicket keeper growing up from the under 10s and started grade as a keeper batsman. I think it was my 2nd first grade game against Fairfield at Rosedale Oval when I was selected to keep and bat 5 or 6, then on the Thursday Mark Patterson said you might not be keeping now. He ended up bowling me in the game instead.
I loved keeping as you’re always in the game and I was fortunate to finish last 4-5 few years of playing back with the gloves on which was great.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Tough question, played against so many over the years.
Don Nash – pure quality, pace, could swing it both ways at ease and a killer bouncer
Josh Hazelwood – bowled one of the quickest spells I have ever seen and faced in a one day game at Waverley Oval, his length and pace was outstanding.
Scott Thompson – bowled with good pace, could swing it and had a very good change of pace. He was always competitive
Special mention
Grant Lambert – such a quality bowler who never gave you anything free to hit, always at you.
Daniel Jackson – was just a great competitor, bowled quick every time we played Parramatta and could get fired up very easily. Not always fun to face when that happened.
Phil Alley - without doubt was the toughest quick I faced and fortunately it only happened a few times. Big tall left arm, he was not enjoyable.
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Greg Matthews – knew how he would or at least wanted to get you out. Always had a plan and just wanted to be in the game. I loved his competitiveness and cricketing brain.
David Freedman – would get me out for fun. You could see him practice the wrong un in his run-up and think surely he won’t you and then bowl it, but yep backed himself all the way. Great competitor
Rob Aitken – Thought he was very skilful with the ball, an underrated player
David Freedman
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Corey Richards – scored runs at ease against Easts and never looked troubled. Classy batsman to watch.
Greg Mail – record speaks for itself, great concentration and knew his game strengths and weaknesses and batted to them all the time.
The other is David Kelly - we could never get him out! Two years in a row he bored the crap out of us in semi-finals scoring hundreds showing great concentrate and determination.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I have 5 innings (players that really stand out) and I’m sure there are plenty more
Paul Prichard probably played the best innings scoring a 100 in a session against St George at Hurstville Oval. Opening the batting everything looked like it just hit the middle of the bat and he could hit the ball wherever he wanted.
Brad Haddin – on one leg scored an amazing 100 for us to chase down 450 against Wests. I was lucky enough to be at the other end to witness it firsthand. He was on about 40 when I came in and batting with runner when Wests took the second new ball and he said give me a few overs with new ball and then we can chase the runs. It was brilliant batting
Michael Bevan - in a game against Manly he scored a 100 at ease hitting the ball to every part of the game and at will. Anthony Stuart bowled really quick that day and Bevan was just amazing to watch.
Brett Van Diensen - played an incredible innings during the 2000/01 grand final against St George scoring 168. Good control and could hit the ball when he wanted to. He was the big difference in that game and took it away from us.
Mark Patterson also played many great innings, Back to back hundred during the semi finals in 2000/01 season was pretty special to watch.
Mark Patterson
Who were the best two bowlers you had the good fortune to keep to?
Adrian Tucker - it didn’t happen that much but you really had to concentrate as he has so many different subtle variations.
Nathan Bracken - in a couple of one day game, good swing and bounce early and his slower balls always bamboozled grade players, a lot of fun.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Brad Haddin and Peter Nevill both so professional in everything they did. Playing against I would say Craig Classock, excellent glove work and great guy off the field also.
Who are the three players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Greg Matthews - every time I played with or against him you were always learning. His skills and knowledge of the game were amazing.
I remember vividly one game up at Hawkesbury. I was at cover and Greg was at mid-wicket. They had left/right combination going and on this occasion we didn’t swap. I said “Moey is this where you were?” he replied “I knew exactly where you were, how come you don’t know where I was.”
From that game onwards I would make it my job in the field to always pay attention where all our players were fielded. Such a good competitor.
Adrian Tucker – without doubt the best spinner I played with. Great skills and had a great ability to take important wickets when needed. Had the umpires bluffed as well.
Anthony Stuart – quality fast bowler and competitive as anyone I have met. Stuey hated losing and was a great teammate have around and lift the team.
Greg Matthews
Who were the two best all-rounders in the competition in your opinion?
The two best all-rounders I played with or against hands down were Grant Lambert and Ian Moran. Both exceptional records and competitive guys. Played hard and great to have a beer with also.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Mark Patterson – On and off the field. Patto would never let the game roll on. Taught me so much about different areas of tactics and batting. I really enjoyed standing next to him at 2nd slip for many years. Off the field he was always there for you when needed.
Nick Berry was also a very good captain, exceptional cricketer and great mate.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Paul Byron and Jason Swift. I think half the time they didn’t even know they were being funny.
Only played 1 season with him but at the club, David Hourn always had me and many others in stitches.
Who was your childhood hero?
Rod Marsh and Steve Waugh
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Richie Benaud of course and now Kerry O’Keefe and Jim Maxwell
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Waverley Oval followed by Coogee Oval.
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
I always enjoyed playing against Sutherland as I was a local junior and knew a lot of the guys I was playing against. Playing at Caringbah Oval was always good besides the small dressing rooms.
The other would be Fairfield, always a good competitive game and Rosedale Teas were amazing!
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
Competing and getting into a contest and being around your mates and the dressing room banter.
Cricket has provided many lifelong friends and opportunities, not only the guys you played with but many of the guys you played against.
What has been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Winning the 2003/04 final against Randwick and the one-day final in 03/04 against Sydney Uni. I was fortunate enough also to contribute in both games
Who’s been the biggest influence in your cricket career?
Early for sure was my Dad who taught me cricket and through grade, Kyle Thompson and Mark Patterson.
What is the funniest cricket banter you’ve heard on the cricket field?
Our fiery left arm quick (medium pacer) Justin Dery bowling to Mark Waugh and he kept swinging the ball into his pads which of course kept getting dispatched to the boundary. JD would get even more fiery and Mark turned to Patto at slip and said “doesn’t this kid watch TV?”
The other would be Steve Warner in one game out at Penrith and the hot wind picked up and Stevie said “it’s good the sea breeze has kicked in, “and he was deadly serious!!
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Two wins really stand out.
The final in 2003/04 obvious reasons. The game just kept turning in favour of both teams and each day and session were so different.
The second is chasing down 453 to beat Wests in 2003/04. On the coldest day in history at Waverly oval, Patto won the toss and bowled!
We were “like what!” and Wests smashed us everywhere. On Day 2, everyone one of our batsman their role and as mentioned earlier Brad Haddin was amazing and inspirational.
Needless to say both wins were celebrated pretty well.
Michael celebrates his century in the 2003/04 grand final against Randwick
What’s the one thing about you most people don’t know about?
I love cooking with a glass or two of Shiraz
What are your hobbies?
Golf nowadays and also learning how to play the guitar again
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Hard to get caught if you hit the ball on the ground and watch the ball.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
After I finished playing I had a few years as Chairman of Selectors at Easts which I really enjoyed. The two seasons as an observer with some odd junior coaching although I will be getting back involved with Easts again this season in some capacity,
If you were running Cricket NSW what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in NSW remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Seeing players being allowed to develop later in careers and still be selected. I believe you can help and coach the skill although character and understanding the game takes time. Spinners and batsman especially seem to develop and mature later.
I believe the appointment of Greg Mail is a real positive step in the right direction.
