My best Grade team - Wayne Mulherin 1976 - 1995
Wayne Mulherin | June 23, 2023
I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to play first grade for 4 Clubs in 3 States during my cricket career plus the one game for NSW.
My First-Grade cricket career spanned from 1976 -77 season with Balmain (now Sydney) where I played for 6 seasons before moving to Petersham Marrickville (now Randwick Petersham) in 1982-83 season. My last year in first grade was 1994-95 season. Due to work commitments I had the opportunity to play a season in Perth with Wanneroo Cricket Club 1984-85 and in Hobart with Sandy Bay Cricket Club 1985-86.
Having played with so many talented players the task of picking my best First Grade side was a challenge that brought back many memories.
I have tried to balance my side below, with many players that I played with, that have played first class cricket, not named but would make a very strong 2XI.
In batting order:
1. Bronco D’ Jura, Petersham - Wicket Keeper. A natural with all the time in the world with the bat and soft hands. Unfortunately for Cricket, lost to Rugby League.
2. Stuart Webster, Balmain - My first captain in first grade. A hard worker and great thinker of the game.
3. Bill Athey, Balmain - Fortunate to have one season with Bill prior to his Test career with England
4. Graeme Hughes, Petersham - Another natural who’s first passion was cricket. Also had all the time in the world with the bat. Lost to Rugby League.
5. Mike Gatting, Balmain - Captain. Played 3 seasons with Gatt prior to his Test Career. His last year as captain coach he easily won the Bill O’Reilly medal and broke the then batting record for Balmain. Inspirational leader. One of the best players of spin I played with or against. That makes the Warne ball even more special to me.
6. Robbie Langer, Wanneroo - Hard hitting left had bat who was Captain Coach of Wanneroo in Perth.
7. Greg Hartshorne, Petersham - One of the few in the side that did not play 1st Class, an all-rounder in the true sense with great ability with bat, ball and an inspiration on the field. Additionally, an inspirational leader as highlighted by the number of premierships he has won.
8. David Capel, Petersham - Another English test player I had the privilege to play with. Played with Capes for two seasons at Petersham. A bowling all rounder who was very attacking.
9. David Chardon, Petersham - One of my first players chosen. Outstanding fast bowler who had the ability to bowl most types of deliveries. He applied so much pressure on the batsmen.
10. Paul Stepto, Petersham - probably the fastest bowler I played with and was the silent assassin.
11. Chris Fitzgerald, Balmain – Moose was a left arm med fast bowler that had the ability to swing and nip the ball around. A great foil for the other bowlers in this team.
12th man- Brian Riley- Petersham - Riles was an outstanding fieldsman who, by just his presence on the ground, applied additional pressure on the batsmen.
Scorer - Dick McCord Petersham - Dick did not keep the best book however his input to the team and club was outstanding. One example was, he erected single handily the practise nets at Petersham oval every Tuesday and Thursday night. Dick is still scoring lower grades for Randwick Petersham.
