Tim Sullivan - you ought to be a bowler

Bankstown District Cricket Club | June 20, 2023

Tim Sullivan joined Bankstown District Cricket Club after making his first grade debut for Penrith at the age of 18.

He is Bankstown’s first grade player number 148 and Penrith’s number 47.

A tall accurate opening bowler with a traditional high action Tim was a valuable member of the incredibly strong Bankstown first grade teams of the 1980s with numerous grand final appearances and a premiership in 1987/88.

Let’s find out more about Tim’s journey in the game

 

What year you were born?

1959

Can you remember your first game of cricket?

I was 10 or 11. It was for my school team against Guildford who had a bowler named Neil Hughes who seemed like lightning. I remember nicking him leg side for four. My coach said to say I ‘leg-glanced’ it.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

I fell in love with cricket watching it on grainy black and white ABC TV broadcasting the last session of NSW matches from the SCG. I’d run home from the train to see as much of it as I could.

The NSW bowling all rounders were my heroes—Dave Colley, Gary Gilmour, Kerry O’Keeffe, Doug Walters.

The first Test I saw was the 1970-71 Ashes and my first time at the SCG. I remember running up the tunnel under the Noble Stand as the crowd clapped in a crescendo and just as I got to the top of the tunnel, Doug Walters flashed by to pick up the ball and throw it back to Marsh who stood to attention at the stumps and let the ball drop into his gloves over the bails. It was thrilling.

I didn’t play much organised cricket until a season at Seven Hills when I was 15, and then with the Cumberland Catholic Club with some guys from school—we won the B4 competition against Guildford featuring Neil Hughes again.

Then to grade with Penrith in 1976, to Bankstown 1981, Dublin YMCA in 1986, back to Penrith in 1991 mainly captaining the thirds and finished playing in 1999 when work took me to the USA. Had some wonderful cricket trips to UK, NZ, India, Southern Africa.

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

Penrith fourths vs Balmain at Birchgrove in 1976. I batted at no 5 and made 24 and a ball from a spinner hit me on the nose. Bled for the cap in my first game. I didn’t bowl that first year but the next year I was bowling to John Benaud in the nets and he yelled out ‘you ought to be a [deleted] bowler!’ That’s when the trouble started.

Tim Sullivan bowling

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

I was 18, Penrith vs Sutherland at Caringbah. Got maybe a dozen runs and a handy outfield catch but no wickets. Highlight was meeting Les Johns who was my footballing hero. I sat next to him at tea and we talked defensive tactics for fullbacks as I was playing Jersey Flegg for the Panthers back then. It was one of many chats with Les in several parts of the cricketing world. He has never adequately explained why he didn’t chase Bob McCarthy and stop the famous intercept try in the 1967 grand final. I ask him and he says ‘you never give up do you?’ Not until I get a better answer Les!

Les Johns playing for Canterbury Bankstown

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

I thought I was a handy bowling all-rounder but never applied myself as I should have to the batting part.

What were your strengths as a player?

Swinging the ball, particularly away. Sometimes at decent pace, but not enough. I played best when there was adversity. Bowled better on the flat decks and batted better on green seamers on overcast days.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

For Penrith seconds in a match at Wallsend in 1977-78. I got 87 and was retired!

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

9-20 for Dublin YMCA vs Malahide 1986. The great Irish bowler Simon Corlett showed me how to bowl an inswinger which I tried that day. It worked. In Sydney first grade 6-60 vs Hawkesbury at Bankstown.

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

Wayne Holdsworth was quick and his short ball was at your throat. I remember a scary afternoon at Campbelltown against Killen and McLeod which was like being in one of those dreams where you can’t yell for help.

Whitney and Whittaker at Coogee was always tough. John Sullivan (no relation) at Petersham had a beautiful action, and his partner Dave Chardon swung and seamed the ball both ways at good pace—I learned a lot from him.

Dave Gilbert—so deceptive—and Murray Radcliffe bowling into a ridge at Pratten, Evan Gordon at Sydney Uni, ‘Lenny’ Coppock and Paul Stepto for Saints, Richard Stobo for Gordon bowling with a luminous orange ball that looked like something out of Star Wars, Henry Lawson at the Village Green was relentless (with the ball and the verbals)…so many good quicks.

Brett McKirdy was the mainstay of the Bankstown bowling in the early-80s—such great control of seam movement and a wicked bouncer when needed. The Waugh twins were both scary—fast and bounced the crap out of the opposition.

But of all of them, Len Pascoe. Batted against him one evening at net practice at Bankstown, red fence and red brick school buildings behind him, sun setting, purple sky, and he pulled out a brand new ball and showed me what late swing is about. The seam was perfectly upright and angled to first slip the whole trajectory, his runup and gather were perfection in coiled energy and release, and his follow through was pure theatre. He called me Tom.

Len Pascoe

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

Dave ‘Freddy’ Freedman and Paul ‘Straws’ Talbot were wonderful to play with. Dave was told he was too slow but stuck to his guns. Loved fielding square of the wicket for him and watching batters who took him for granted charge at him and not quite get there. Paul had the best arm-ball going, at least along with Murray Bennett’s. Murray teased you at the crease—a wonderful bowler and great combination with offie Mark Osborne. Greg ‘Mo’ Matthews was so good—drifted away and spun it back so sharply and changed his pace so well. Kenny Gentles and David ‘Cracker’ Hourn were so hard to pick and spun it a mile.

Tom Shiner rushed on to you and his toppie was deadly. The Northern District pair of Peter Taylor and Steve Whitfield were a great combination going different ways. And there’s a bloke who straddled left-arm spin and pace and with either would have been the best going around—Ken Hall. What a champion bowler and close to the wicket catcher who in his prime would peel of 400+ runs a season.

David Freedman

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

The Waugh twins would be on everyone’s list. Freaks. Steve Barry ‘Stan’ Smith was the best player of fast bowling and his technique was perfection. Rod Bower was a generation ahead of his time—his balance at the crease, his hands and his power against all kinds of bowling was a phenomenon.

Ian Davis’s footwork used to stuff me around—I could never find the right length to bowl to him. Mark Taylor, Neil Howlett, Greg Livingstone and Geoff Milliken were such good leavers of the ball who’d pick you off once they drew you into where they liked to play.

Trevor Bayliss’s stroke play was electrifying. Steve Small was terrifying to bowl to, and Randall Green and Graeme Smith would hit your best ball out of the park on a whim.

Greg Matchett and Gary Mulcahy from Saints were always looking to challenge and had a great range of shots. Those are the contests I remember best.

Mark Waugh, Tim Sullivan, Steve Waugh

Who played the best innings you’ve seen first-hand playing with or against?

In the 1982-83 final vs Penrith, left-arm quick Graeme Pitty bowled the best sustained spell of fast bowling I have seen or experienced. Bob Vidler top-scored for us with 45 not out and it was the most courageous and skilful innings I ever saw played in the top grade.

Mark and Stephen Waugh tore apart a really good Balmain attack including Andrew Jones to win a game chasing 180-odd in one session. They were playing for NSW the following Saturday so wanted to get it done. One of Stephen’s back foot drives smashed into the fence in front of where I was watching like a rifle shot. Mark kept hitting onto the Drummoyne Hill effortlessly. Never seen anything like it.

When I was in Ireland, Mark Waugh came over with the MCC team to play the Irish national side. He got 230-odd on the first day and a hundred before lunch on the third day and hit balls all around the suburb of Clontarf where I was living. When word got out that I was a teammate of Mark’s, people started looking at me differently. Thanks Mark.

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

Any left-arm wristie. Billy York most of all—made me look completely clueless on too many occasions. He’d then ring me up on Monday and say how well I played! A lovely bloke.

Tom Shiner, Mark Waugh, John Sullivan, Ian Davis, Steve Waugh, Rod Bower - photo taken by Tim Sullivan

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 and you really had to knuckle down to survive? 

Self-doubt always sat on my shoulder. I never thought I was good enough. That’s why I practiced like my life depended on it. It improved when I was captaining teams because it made me think outside of myself. But that self-doubt was invaluable in the way my leadership developed—I always sought to create environments where people could thrive and feel part of what we were doing. It’s why I loved coaching too.

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

Les Andrews was the best gloveman, on a par with Steve Rixon who was the best keeper-batsman. Terry Davies was terrific too, especially to the spinners. I wonder where Bronco D’Jura might have ended up if he had stuck with cricket.

Dave Moore from Saints was the best fielding team general and had great hands. Greg Gavin, Paul Ryan and Andrew Millican were all excellent keeper-batsmen. Keith Bailey who kept wicket in the Dublin YM team was classy too—soft hands.

Steve Rixon

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

Gary Crowfoot was an inspiration. He’d often be physically ill before batting and then get into his zone at the crease. Gutsy as they come.

I always admired bowling all-rounders and it was a privilege to play with Trevor McDonald and against Greg Hartshorne, Gary Bensley, Neil Maxwell, Phil Marks, Brad Patterson, Ken Hall and the like. Jim Dixon was a beauty too. A couple of Irish teammates, Alan Lewis and Jon Garth, were super talents with bat and ball. Alan got a hat-trick for Mosman in a season he played in Sydney. Jon would have been great here too. Both have had daughters play in the WBBL.

Gary Crowfoot

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

Bob Vidler was a genius—I loved playing for him. Terry Davies was great too. If he liked what you were doing he’d say ‘Channel—nice’ and if he didn’t like it ‘hit the [deleted] stumps’ even louder. Trevor Bayliss was the most tactically astute. John Benaud was the best leader and coach with a vast knowledge of the game. Shout out to Ross Turner who I toured with and found out why everyone who played in his teams rated him so highly.

Bib Vidler batting for NSW

Who has been your funniest team mate?

Hands-down Dean Waugh. The funniest man I have ever met. He would spontaneously do impressions of any player we’d been talking about. His Viv Richards was brilliant. My first captain at Bankstown, Ken Scully, had a joke for every situation when he wasn’t at the crease. I’d go home sore from laughing. Paul Talbot was funny without doing anything.

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

First year in Penrith 4ths, we had a dashing (i.e., crazy) opener Kevin Buick. He would smash anything he could reach. He was a tiler and used to pick me up before I had a car in his battered Holden station wagon, with all his tools and crap in the back.

I’d arrive at the game with brick dust, grout and concrete in my eyes, nose, ears, pockets—everywhere.

Kev’s at short leg. A ball gets punched at him. He grabs at it, knocks it up over his head, walks on the ball as he turns around, has the presence of mind to do a backward roll and pick up the ball as he falls. Springs to his feet and throws it straight into the ground in front of him. In disgust, kicks the ball into a gap, and the batsman who has been standing in his crease watching, takes a single. Kev is crestfallen. The bowler, Jon Llewellyn, says ‘Well done mate—a lesser man would have panicked’.

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

Run out without facing ball whilst batting with Stephen Waugh. I thought he said yes but he was talking to himself. I looked up from my futile dive to get back and he was laughing with everybody else.

Who was your childhood hero?

Ian Chappell, and the more I learned about him and the way he played the game, my admiration grew.

Ian Chappell

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

I’d love to thank Cathy Freeman and Kieran Perkins for the inspiration they have provided. And Allan Border for shouldering the burden of Australian cricket in the 1980s.

Cathy Freeman

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Jim Maxwell because he doesn’t say anything unnecessary. Kerry O’Keeffe and Harsha Bhogle together was a crack up. Mark Waugh is the best analyst and umpire.

What was your favourite ground to play at?

It was a thrill walking into Bankstown Oval, even for practice. Same for Hurstville Oval and its history.

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

We always had great contests with St George, NDs, Penrith, Randwick—always tough games and always convivial afterwards.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

All of them. I just loved playing the game, and felt blessed walking onto a field to play. Each teammate and opponent gives something of themselves to your memories and I appreciate all of them the same.

Bankstown District Cricket Club First Grade Grand Finalists 1982-83

Bankstown District Cricket Club First Grade premiers 1987-88

Bankstown District Cricket Club First Grade Grand Finalists 1988-89

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

The Dublin YMCA team won three of the four trophies up for grabs in 1986. If you’ve never experienced a night out celebrating with Irish people then you have missed something remarkable in your life! It becomes everyone’s celebration.

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

How do I pick? I loved them all. I imagine a scenario like the BBQ buffet at the End of the Universe and everyone you played with or against and the umpires who stood in games come by for a story and a sausage and time is irrelevant. It would be Covid-free and my Dublin teammates would be there too. And yes, Straws, the bar is always open!

What are your hobbies?

Photography, cinema, and walking to quiet places in the bush with magnificent views.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

‘Enjoy it—you could be down a coal mine!’ from Terry Davies. Other than that, ‘never try to eat anything bigger than your head’.

What is your occupation?

I spent 30 years in museums and now doing some consulting in that field whilst undertaking more study at ANU. You should never stop learning.

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

Regrettably no. In my time at Penrith I was Cricket Manager and part of the Emerging Blues Coaching Panel, and wanted to do more of that until I started moving around with work. I will get back to it though—I still love the game.

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

Make sure cricketers get their eyes checked annually. I found out when I was in my 30s I had a problem specs would have corrected. I could not believe the difference it made in how I saw the world around me let alone actually seeing the cricket ball properly. Ashley Mallett’s new book reveals that his subject, Neil Harvey, needed glasses or contact lenses but didn’t wear them and now regrets it. Me too, Harvs.

The experience of playing with and against the Test and first-class cricketers of the day was extraordinary, and made club cricket so important in the development of players. Strong, competitive club cricket was always the best pathway. And remember that talent can take time to emerge—give it a chance.