Ray Hudswell - always look on the bright side

Penrith Cricket Club | June 18, 2024

Ray Hudswell is the very proud owner of Penrith first grade cap number 65 and is a life member and former President of Penrith Cricket Club. Ray has made a life time contribution to the game on and off the field as a player, manager and administrator and simply loves the game of cricket.

He played grade cricket for St George, Cumberland and Penrith and has a great story to share.

Let’s find out more.

What year you were born?

1951

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

My first recollection of playing cricket was as a 9 year old playing Church Cricket in Under 14s on a malthoid wicket at Tempe Park. I remember the coach scraping together a kit with some museum pieces of equipment. I can’t recall how I went personally but I do remember we won one game in two seasons and that was a forfeit.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

I played junior cricket mainly in the St George and Sutherland areas until I turned 16. Played with such notable teams as Kogarah RSL and Woronora RSL. Great times as I recall. I was never in the hunt for junior rep teams so playing came to end. I didn’t play at all in 1966 and 67 but with the encouragement of a teacher at school and a friend named Paul Degney I began playing with Earlwood Bardwell Park in the St George Senior comp. Things took off from there I was selected in the St George Durham Shield Team and had a great season. I was invited to attend grade trials and with the support of that same teacher attended and was graded. From there I had six seasons with St George DCC (got to second grade) then six with Cumberland DCC and finally 10 years with Penrith. After my playing days I have been involved in some sort of administration until the present day.

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

I had just turned 18. Originally graded in 5ths but didn’t play fifths at all until the other end of my playing career. A bowler up the grades pulled out with injury and I went from being slated to bat 4 in 5ths and be the first change bowler to opening the bowling in fourths. Never saw my name on a batting list higher than 10 after that.

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

My first grade debut happened quite late I think I was 26 or 27. The game was at Old Kings Oval Parramatta. I remember being very nervous and while I took a couple of wickets I bowled a heap of no balls. My most vivid memory of that game was bowling a big off cutter which seamed back and hit Graeme Beard in the box. He went down like he was shot. Got himself together quickly and he dispatched the final two balls of the over to the fence. I think Beardy ended up with 60 odd in a beautiful innings. Was great to get the chance to play with him many years later at Penrith.

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

I went from up and coming quickie to veteran medium pacer in a very short time.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

I scored 49 in every grade except First where my highest score was 30 odd for Cumberland against Nth Districts.

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

I had a day out against Manly at Graham Reserve in I think second grade playing for St George, 8 for 15. A young Gary Goodman took some phenomenal catches at first slip.

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

Jeff Thompson and Lenny Pascoe. They were murderous back then when Bankstown Oval was little more than a cow paddock. John Sullivan from Petersham was a tough competitor especially with Brian Riley firing him up.

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

David Hourn. In one of the very few times I got to bat in first Grade at Penrith he made an absolute goose of me. It was three overs of absolute torture. I played both with and against Greg Matthews. Loved the man and he could play. I also played against Kerry O’Keefe for Cumberland against Penrith. He was all arms and legs and onto you so quickly. Don’t believe that crap about him bowling nude nuts. He spun the ball and sharply.

Greg Matthews

Who has been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?

Ross Edwards. A complete batsman in any conditions. He played for Northern Districts after coming over from Western Australia and towelled us up at Old Kings.

I played several times against Scott Hookey, in both second and first grade. It didn’t matter where you bowled to him. When he was on there wasn’t a ground big enough to contain him.

Peter Toohey. Brilliant all around the wicket.

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

Trevor Bayliss against Petersham at Howell Oval. Absolutely tore Wayne Mulherin apart. It was as close to the perfect innings as I ever saw. Rod Bower, playing for Penrith against Hawkesbury scored a fabulous double hundred, only to be finally dismissed by Wayne Holt taking the best catch I have ever seen.

Trevor Bayliss

Was there any batsman in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted their wicket?

Brain Riley. I‘ll have more to say about him later!

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

This is a hard one. Played with and against some great glove men. Greg Gavin, Lawrie Renshall, Alan Turrell to name just a few, but Peter Love from Cumberland was sensational. A gymnast who was capable of the most brilliant things. Brave, audacious at times and inspirational.

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

Trevor Bayliss. Talented, incredibly humble and downright decent guy. Has a hard edge to his nature, thoughtful and decisive. Doesn’t like guys wearing earrings!

Ken Hall made things look so easy, whether with bat or ball. Laconic country lad who didn’t know how to quit.

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

David Paull at Saints. Astute, colourful and great team builder. Would have done anything for Dave. Sadly taken from us in the most tragic of circumstances.

Bob Clarence at Penrith was right up there too as was Bobby Anderson at Cumberland.

Who has been your funniest team mate?

Michael Wholohan and Jason Penrose. The pair of them made a dressing room a wondrous place. Stuffing a bar b que chicken with paper, setting it alight and then putting it back into a Tupperware container was among their best tricks. Mark Butler’s wife is still looking for them.

Did a fair job on me in an end of season redraw match by filling my box with dencorub. I made it halfway to the wicket before having to return to the pavilion and get some cold water applied. They had set it up with the opposition team and umpires and as I left the ground I could see all 11 players and both umpires rolling around the ground with laughter. Both left the Howell Oval early that day!

Glenn McGrath, Ray Hudswell, Mark Taylor 2015 Ashes Tour of England

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

Brain Riley. In one of my early first grade matches. Gave me an awful time when I was batting and kept encouraging John Sullivan to take my head off. That could have only one outcome and after two bouncers I got a yorker and bye bye. Hard to hit them from square leg! Riles knew he had the better of me and the following week it was his turn to bat. He took guard, looked up and saw that it was me bowling. “Who the f… are you he shouted down the wicket. Never heard of you! Where did Cumberland find you? Fifth grade in the Park? Got a lucky one through him second ball and Bobby Aitken, himself not adverse to a word or two followed Riles a few metres and said “His Name is Hudswell, H U D S W E L L and he is too f… good for you.” Brian and I became friends a few years later when he worked with my brother Graeme as a Customs Agent

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

Run Out without facing a ball after meandering back to the crease after my partner played a defensive shot towards square leg

Who was your childhood hero?

Norman O’Neill. Great hard hitting batman.

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

Cathy Freeman, Ben Stokes and Adam Scott.

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Jim Maxwell and I really enjoyed Andrew Moore last season.

What was your favourite ground to play at?

Hurstville Oval and now Howell Oval. What the club and council have done with that ground over the last decade or so is marvellous.

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

Always enjoyed playing against my old Clubs. St George and Cumberland (Parramatta) Two great old clubs where I still have dear friends.

What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?

The contest. Bat against ball. Mind against mind. Will against will. The joy of working together and playing a part in a team. Miss the old days of a few beers after the game with the opposition and Umpires.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Anytime I was on the field with my mates. But from outside looking in, the Limited Overs Sydney final Penrith V Hawkesbury. A last ball thriller and the celebrations after were something else. I will forever remember Pat Cummins handing over his credit card to the team manager to go and purchase a mountain of beer and the hundreds of people still there into the wee hours drinking it.

Penrith celebrating the win

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

Trevor Bayliss, Greg Matthews and Ian Monaghan.

What are your hobbies?

Grandfather and all the wonderful and different experiences that leads to.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

From the Life of Brian… “Always look on the bright side of life.”

What is your current occupation?

Retired School Principal. I was such a fortunate man to work in a profession that I loved.

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

I try to get to Howell Oval as often as possible and watch this incredible group of players who represent Penrith at the moment. 

Ray as the manager of the Penrith JCA Creak shield team

If you were running Cricket NSW what would your 2 priorities be to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?

Premier Cricket is still the best pathway to successful representative cricket. Continued success at a First Grade level, is in my opinion the best indicator of success at a higher level. Test and State players should be encouraged to play for their clubs as often as possible but I understand the difficulties caused by such a crowded international schedule.

All Clubs should be encouraged and supported to work closely with their Junior Associations in both the development of talented juniors and the promotion of our great game.