Celebrating 50 years - Penrith Cricket Club team of the first half century
Penrith Cricket Club | May 14, 2023
Saturday 8 October 2022 - What a brilliant night we had celebrating 50 years of our club!
What was evident last night through our guest speakers was how much playing for Penrith has meant to them and their families. We heard former first grade captains reflect upon their time with the club and talk about the importance of playing with their mates! So many fun stories and conversations continued into the early hours of the morning.
Michael Wholohan did a great job as MC highlighting the history of the club.
Congratulations to our club legends selected for the Penrith Cricket Club Team of the First Half Century! Each member's phenomenal record, achievements and contribution to the Club are inspirational and proudly represents the essence of our Penrith Club.
Could you Imagine turning up to Howell Oval on Saturday morning to face this very formidable team?
Congratulations to these fine cricketers!
1. Steve Small – First Grade player number 49
Steve Small played with the club in the late 70's, 'Jack' was a member of our First Grade premiership team in 1978/79. He was an aggressive left handed opening batsman, terrorising many notable bowling attacks with his powerful strokeplay. Jack scored 4160 runs @ 46.7 for the Cats, going on to play a long and successful first class career with NSW. In later years, Jack returned to the Cats as first grade coach/mentor.
2. Jason Arnberger – First Grade player number 102
"Arnie", a very talented local Penrith junior cricketer, quickly found himself playing first grade with the Summer Panthers. A solid opening batsman with a penchant for scoring big runs and occupying the crease for long periods of time, Jason scored 3140 runs @ 37 for the Cats, through composed strokeplay off both the front and back foot. In 1995, whilst playing for NSW 2nd XI on the hallowed turf of Howell Oval, he amassed a mammoth innings of 319 not out against NSW Country.
Arnie also went on to represent NSW and then also Victoria in a notable first class career.
3.John Benaud (Captain) – First Grade player number 1
JB's influence both on and off the field across our club since its inception is immeasurable. Captain, team mate, coach, mentor, selector, advisor, supporter from 1st Grade through to our development players, JB has helped shape the history and the future of our great club!
4. Trevor Bayliss – First Grade player number 64
Trevor 'Bun/TB' Bayliss. A country boy from Goulburn, Bun arrived at the club in 1981, quickly establishing himself as a cricketer of note. He became an integral part of our First Grade team for close to two decades, captaining First Grade to a One Day premiership and First Grade Premier Cricket final. He was also a member of the premiership winning First Grade side in season 1982/83. Bun was an aggressive batsman, who loved challenging the bowlers and not letting them settle into their spell. Trevor's remarkable record for the Cats, includes the Club Record for the most number of First Grade runs, a total of 8813 runs @ 44, reeling off an astonishing 43 fifties and 19 hundreds! Bun was also a brilliant fielder and very astute tactician. Within an era of superstar NSW cricketers, Trevor enjoyed a long and successful career in the baggy blue for NSW as a player, NSW Under Age coach and then NSW State coach. He went on to coach the Sydney Sixers and various IPL franchises, the Sri Lankan and English national teams, most notably, leading England to their famous World Cup title in 2019. In 2020, he was awarded an OBE for his services to English cricket. Trevor's record and continued involvement with the Cats is an enormous asset for our Club.
5. Rod Bower – First Grade player number 83
Rod 'Loggy' Bower. Loggy was a tough and imposing top/middle order batsmen who was a very hard striker of the ball. Rod joined the Cats from Bankstown, having already made his debut for NSW. He would go on to play 13 matches for NSW with a highest score of 63 against Western Australia. For the Cats, Loggy scored 5716 runs @ 41, including a remarkable 37 fifties and 12 hundreds! Loggy also scored a double century against Hawkesbury at Howell Oval. Team mates hurling throw downs to Loggy during match warm ups were often seen standing behind the boundary fence to protect themselves, such was the power of Rod Bower.
6. Ken Hall – First Grade player number 32
Kenny 'Emu' Hall was a true all-rounder, demonstrated by him winning the All Rounder of the Year Award for the club on 8 occasions. Ken scored 4770 runs @ 33 and claimed 354 wickets @ 20 for Penrith and without doubt has been one of the best slip fielders to play the game. He also played in Penrith's 1978/79 and 1982/83 First Grade premiership winning teams. Kenny was a super competitor on the field and rated by many as the best player never to play for NSW.
7. Luke Morrisey – First Grade player number 142
Luke 'Moz' Morrissey. A local Penrith junior, Moz, started his First Grade career as a lower order wicket keeping batsman, however, finished it batting in the top order. He also captained First Grade for a number of seasons and played in the 2001/02 First Grade One Day Premiership winning team. He played strongly off the back foot, with a particular love of the cut shot. He scored 5989 runs @ 25, including 30 fifties and 4 hundreds. With the gloves, he achieved 291 catches and 60 stumpings. Moz also achieved a single first grade wicket.
8. Pat Cummins (Vice Captain) – First Grade player number 183
Pat burst onto the grade cricket scene as a tear away fast bowler, making his Penrith First Grade debut as a teenager. After only a handful of games in first grade, he was selected in 2010 to represent NSW in T20 cricket, closely followed by NSW Shield cricket. A short time later in 2011, he made his Australian debut (Cap#423) making a huge early impression is his first Test v South Africa, turning in a match winning and man of the match performance. Patty has since gone on to become the premier fast bowler in world cricket, and most recently appointed the 47th Australian Test Captain. Despite his meteoric rise, Pat has never forgotten his origins, turning out for Penrith whenever available. He led the attack during our memorable 2017 First Grade Limited Overs grand final, bowling the tense final over that secured a premiership. He has also scored a hundred for the club as a middle order batsman. Patty has taken 45 wickets at the miserly average of 21, and has scored 478 runs @ 22 for the Cats. We all look forward to watching Patty's International cricket career over the years to come and warmly welcome our first local junior to become an Australian cricketer and the Australian Test Captain to our Panthers Top 50!!
9. Joshua Lalor – First Grade player number 168
Joshua Lalor is a local Penrith junior and current PCC Cricket Manager. For many years, JL, a skilled left arm opening bowler, headed our first grade bowling attack. Known for swinging the ball into the right hander, he had a knack for taking a wicket in his first over. His bowling skills helped Penrith win many games by decimating the opposition's top order. JL has taken 392 wickets @ 18.83, including 17 five wicket hauls and once taking 10 wickets in the match. Josh is also a freakish fieldsman who could change the game with a brilliant piece of fielding. JL has represented NSW as well as a number of BBL franchises.
10. Paul Goldsmith – First Grade player number 116
Paul 'Digger/Blinky' Goldsmith. Paul was an outstanding quick bowler for the Cats, who during the 90's, was part of a formidable 3 pronged First Grade pace attack, which he later headed with fellow quick and brother, Michael. Digger could move the ball in the air and off the wicket at good pace, who for many years dominated Sydney Grade Cricket and certainly deserved higher level opportunities. He captured an amazing 452 wickets @ 23, including 13 five wicket hauls and once taking 10 wickets in a match. Always pencilled in to the No.10/11 batting position, Goldy (with a blink of his eyes!) loved nothing more than to remind others of his favourite cover drives struck off fellow opposition fast bowlers! Goldy loves the Cats, serving his ninth year as Club President, he is also a Club Life Member.
11. Paul Thomas – First Grade player number 79
Paul 'Stabba' Thomas. Stabba was a left arm finger spinner, who carved out a long First Grade career, after spending many years developing his craft in the lower grades, taking wickets and waiting patiently for his opportunity in Firsts. While not a massive turner of the ball, Stabba's strength was his flight, change of pace and guile to outsmart some of the best batsman of his generation. He captured an outstanding 400 wickets @ 25 which included 17 five wicket hauls and once taking 10 wickets in a match. Later in his career, he successfully captained Penrith 3rd Grade to a premiership title. Both he and his father Bob have had a long association with the Penrith Club.
12. Dale Turner – First Grade player number 131
DT was an exceptional all round cricketer, consistent top order batsman, crafty off-spinner and outstanding fielder. Raising the bar in first grade fielding standards at the club during his reign, his catching, ground fielding and speed to the ball was the envy of many! DT was the ultimate competitor on the field with both bat and ball, always challenging the opposition and thriving in the contest. He scored 4143 runs @ 32, including 26 fifties and 5 hundreds, claiming 271 wickets @ 22, with 10 five wicket hauls and once taking 10 wickets in a match. DT represented both NSW and QLD in Sheffield Shield and One Day cricket, and also had the unique opportunity to sub field for Australia in a Test Match at the Gabba.
Celebrating 50 years Penrith Cricket Club - the Top 50
Our evening culminated with John Benaud (our first 1st Grade Captain) and Ryan Gibson (our current 1st Grade Captain) coming together to cut the anniversary cake!
Thank you again to everyone who joined us to help celebrate our 50 years
