Wayne Holdsworth - fast and loyal

Bankstown District Cricket Club | April 12, 2023

Wayne Holdsworth is a Bankstown boy through and through. 

He played all his Premier/Grade Cricket at Bankstown District Cricket Club debuting in 1986 and took 513 wickets at 21.19. He took 25 x 5 wicket hauls for Bankstown.

Wayne debuted for New South Wales in 1988 and played 68 First Class games taking 212 wickets at 32.75 and took 5 wickets in an innings on 11 occasions and one ten-wicket haul.

He also played 35 one day games for the Blues taking 39 wickets at 29.17. 

New South Wales defeated Queensland in the 1992/93 Sheffield Shield Final and Holdsworth’s cracking form earned him selection in the 1993 Australian Ashes Touring Squad.

What year were you born? 

1968

What’s your nickname? 

Cracker

Where did you go the high school? 

East Hills Boys High

Do you remember your first ever game of cricket? 

It was under 12 for Milperra Vikings on the old coir matting. Not sure how I went!

Where did you play your junior cricket? 

Milperra Vikings 

Which clubs have you played for? 

I played for Bankstown for my whole career

How old were you when you first played grade cricket? 

14.

What age did you make your first grade debut? 

18

What were your best bowling figures in first grade? 

7-37 vs North Sydney at North Sydney Oval.

What were your best bowling figures for NSW? 

7 for 41 in the 92-93 Sheffield Shield Final against Queensland at the SCG

Dare we ask, what is your highest score in any grade? 

71 against Parramatta in a first Grade final, I was also lucky enough to whack 49 not out in a one day game against Tassie of 18 balls. I missed my calling in T20 !!!

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Probably the 7-41 in the Shield final closely followed by the hat trick on the Ashes tour in 1993

Who’s been the biggest influence in your cricket career? 

Hard to say there has been a few. Firstly I would have to say my father who supported me all the way. Then there was Terry Davies my First Grade Captain also then definitely Mike Whitney and Geoff Lawson throughout my first class career.

Mike Whitney and Geoff Lawson at NSW practice

Who was the funniest cricketing team mate? 

Would have to say Brad McNamara

Who is your favourite all-time cricketer? 

Rodney Hogg

Rodney Hogg

What was the best win you were involved in? 

Any of the Shield Final wins, they are not easy to win and I was lucky enough to win three.

If you’re in the middle seat of the middle row of Qantas QF1flight to London which team mates would you choose to on your left and right? 

Merv Hughes and Tim May, never a dull moment.

Did you have any cricketing superstitions? 

Always put my left sock and left boot on first and would never bowl without a sweatband on my left wrist.

Which ground in Sydney club cricket did you enjoy playing at the most? 

Bankstown Oval 

Who was the top 3 batsman you bowled to? 

Always found Matthew Hayden difficult, Geoff Marsh and David Hookes.

David Hookes

Is there a batsman you’d consider one of your bunnies? 

Gary Watts from Victoria, for some reason I normally got him out in the first over with an inswinger.

What’s the best advice you ever received? 

Bowl fast and straight

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

I am currently the bowling coach at Mosman Cricket Club, I love it they are a great bunch of guys

What advice would you offer a young 13 year old who has the ambition of playing test cricket?

Never give up and if someone tells you that you can’t, prove them wrong. If you work hard anything is possible.

What are your hobbies? 

I have to say I don’t really have any hobbies

What is your occupation?  

Business Development Manager - TEG Live

Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general? 

No day will ever be the same. If you don’t change anything nothing will change.