Western Suburbs and Manly Warringah to play an historical NSW Premier Cricket Day Night game in regional NSW
Paul Ryan | December 11, 2023
Round 9 of the 2023-24 NSW Premier Cricket season takes on a special significance for Western Suburbs District Cricket Club and Manly Warringah District Cricket Club.
On Saturday 16 December 2023 Western Suburbs and Manly will play an historic day night at Wade Park in Orange in the Central West of New South Wales, some 250 kilometres west of Sydney.
It is a tremendous initiative by both clubs and an exciting weekend for all cricket fans in Orange and surrounding districts.
The brainchild of Manly’s Vice President David Gainsford and Western Suburbs President Mike Swan. Both should be congratulated for their proactive support for regional cricket in New South Wales.
David Gainsford has a very strong connection with cricket in the country as he spent his early years in Narromine and his father Brian was a long serving Chairman of Country Cricket NSW.
David Gainsford – Vice President of Many Warringah District Cricket Club
“Both clubs have great country connections and it’s a wonderful opportunity to put back into the bush. “
“Country cricket has produced some of the best cricketers in NSW and clubs like Manly and Wests have been fortunate to have many of these players play for them.“
Many Warringah batter Joel Davies
Mike Swan – President of Western Suburbs District Cricket Club
“Western Suburbs is very proud of our history and connections with country cricketers playing for the Magpies. “
“We’re especially delighted to be playing Manly and making a contribution in supporting and hopefully inspiring the young cricketers of Orange.”
Western Suburbs batter Josh Clarke
Country Cricket in NSW has a history of producing Australian Test and first-class cricketers. Don Bradman, Brian Booth, Doug Walters, John Gleeson, Rick McCosker, Gary Gilmour, Steve Rixon, Peter Toohey, Bob Holland, Geoff Lawson, Mark Taylor, Michael Slater, Phillip Hughes, Trent Copeland, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood are just some of Australia’s finest cricketers who started their cricketing journey in country NSW.
Peter Toohey is Australian Test cricketer No 288 was born in Blayney only 31 kilometres from Orange. Peter Toohey also played Sydney Grade Cricket for Western Suburbs and Manly Warringah.
Phoebe Litchfield was raised in Orange and went to school at Kinross and is Australian Women’s Test cricketer number 183. Phoebe made her test debut for Australia in the Ashes series in England in June 2023 and at the time of publication she has played one test and 11 one day internationals.
In June 2023 Phoebe became the second youngest Australian women to score a one day international century when she scored 106 not out against Ireland.
Jo Garey played one test for the Australian Women’s team and went to school at Kinross in Orange and represented Orange in both Cricket and Hockey before moving to Sydney.
Jean Horner was known as “Lady Bradman” in Gilgandra and played for NSW from 1936 to 1948. Jean was selected to represent Australia but the tour to England was cancelled due to World War 11. Jean moved to Orange in 1942 and attempted to start women’s cricket and continued to play for NSW for 6 more years.
Without knowing the exact numbers I’m of the belief around 35% of all NSW first class cricketers have been country cricketers.
A Premier Cricket game such as this on Saturday may just provide the inspiration for a young girl or boy in Orange to pursue their cricketing and sporting dreams.
The match takes on even more significance for the two teams captains, Jay Lenton (Manly) and James Psarakis (Western Suburbs) as they both grew up playing in the country. Jay on the Central Coast and James is from Tamworth.
Jay Lenton - Manly Warringah
“Growing up on the Central Coast, the Sunday paper for Grade cricket results was always a must. The pathway for us in the bush was always to play Grade Cricket in Sydney which would lead to potentially NSW and beyond. “
“To be part of a game taking Premier Cricket out to the bush is something I’m very proud to be doing with Manly and knowing the ties with country cricket in the Wests side we couldn’t ask for a better opposition.”
Many Warringah Fast Bowler Ryan Hadley
James Psarakis – Western Suburbs
“Getting back and playing in the country is awesome. Ever since I’ve moved to Sydney, I’ve wanted to give back to country cricket. I try to do as much coaching as I can when I get back to Tamworth and often share my number with the country lads going through the pathway system. “
“To be able to take Wests to Orange and play a first-grade game against Manly, another club with strong connections to the country, is going to be great. “
Western Suburbs Fast Bowler Hanno Jacobs
After 8 rounds Manly are sitting in 3rd position and will be looking to consolidate their position in the top 6 whilst it’s an important game for Western Suburbs to stay in semi final contention as we head into the New Year.
The game starts at 2.00pm and is a 50 over game.
It's a good deck at Wade Park, with fond memories for me.
Legend has it that George Bonner hit a 6 at Wade Park that landed on Moulder St, then bounced up into a rail car across the street. The ball was retrieved in Sydney the next day