Terry McMahon - win the toss and bat.
Sydney Cricket Club | September 17, 2024
Terry McMahon is one of the great characters to grace the hallowed turf of Drummoyne Oval. Terry had a distinguished career at the Tigers covering 17 consecutive seasons and amassed an impressive 5,196 runs. A great team mate and a great Tiger
Enjoy his cricket journey
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What year were you born?
1962
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
I was 6 years old, and I got 6 not out with the bat. Nothing memorable performance wise, but I remember I loved it.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I came down from Lismore in 1981 to join the Balmain District Cricket Club. My father John played there in the 1950’s and two of my brothers Brian and Michael were then current players with Balmain. So that made the transition for a quiet country lad easier. I enjoyed 17 consecutive seasons with the Tigers.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
I was 18 years old and was graded in 3rd Grade.
What was the highest grade you played, and can you remember how you performed in your first game in that grade?
First Grade that same season under the captaincy of Tony Steele. I was run out for 6.
If you could share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
A steady opening batsman and 2nd slipper.
What were your strengths as a player?
I valued my wicket, and I could catch.
John McMahon hitting catches to Brian, Michael and Terry McMahon
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
117 for Balmain in 2nd Grade at Ryde Oval.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Brett Lee – Express pace
Wayne Holdsworth – Very quick and hooped the ball around
Geoff Lawson – Quick and generated sharp bounce.
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
David Hourn – He was a massive turner of the ball and was difficult to pick. He also bowled at a brisk pace for a chinaman spinner thus reducing the batsman’s time to get down the pitch to him.
Greg Matthews – He was another big turner of the ball and had the ability to make the ball drift and drop.
My father John McMahon – he dismissed me in a Balmain Past v Present fixture (he also dismissed my brother Michael that day). He was a very similar bowler to David Hourn.
John McMahon 1932-2024
Who were the best 3 batters you’ve played against?
Rod Bower – He was a beautiful striker of the ball and knew exactly where he was hitting it.
Wayne Seabrook – He was a powerful player with a beautiful technique.
Mark Waugh – He had class, time and elegance.
Rod Bower
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Ian Davis’s innings of 114 for Balmain against St George at Hurstville Oval. It was an innings of absolute class and one that I will never forget. Perhaps World Series Cricket came at the wrong time in his playing career. Opening the batting against the great West Indian attack of that era would have to leave some permanent scars on anyone.
Ian Davis
Was there any bowler or batter in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Any bowler with serious pace. Any opening batsman that tells you otherwise is dreaming.
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?
I found the elevation from 2nd Grade to 1st Grade difficult. It appeared to me to be more like a double jump in grades and consequently I struggled.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Andrew Fitzhenry - Excellent hands and great feet.
Who are the two players you admire most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Two former teammates come to mind. Peter Cantrell and Rodney Tucker. Very talented all-round players who carved out very successful careers.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Greg Douglas – Excellent cricket brain and ultra competitive.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Paul Sinclair in a photo over Gregg Everest.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
I was playing for Combined Catholic Colleges against Combined High Schools in the State Schoolboys Championship. I was given out first ball caught behind when my bat hit the pitch after playing over the top of a yorker from Dave Thompson. The Umpire was the late great Wally Grout’s daughter, Nelma Grout. Upon raising her finger, my reaction and facial expression coerced her into changing her decision to not out. When I got down to the non strikers end Nelma said “I heard a noise and the Keeper caught it so I thought you must have hit it, but then when I saw (or perhaps heard) your reaction I knew you mustn’t have hit it”. She got me in the end………run out for 31.
Who was your childhood hero?
Jeff Thomson.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Viv Richards, and I would have enjoyed meeting George Best and Shane Warne.
George Best
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Drummoyne Oval.
What particular team did you especially look forward to playing against?
North Sydney. My brothers Brian and Michael left Balmain and joined the Bears so it always added a bit of spice to the contest.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Being a member of the Balmain 2nd Grade Premiership winning team in 1981-82 in my first year of grade cricket was terrific, but I would probably say that playing First Grade in Lismore alongside my father and two brothers was most memorable.
Joan and John McMahon, Terry, Michael and Brian McMahon
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Winning the 2nd Grade Final against Central Cumberland (Parramatta).
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Ken Farley, John Rainger and Paul Sinclair. Fair to say I would invite a number of other former teammates along as guest speakers.
What are your hobbies?
I am an avid Test Cricket follower and I enjoy a number of other sports along with travel.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Win the toss and bat.
What is your occupation?
Following 30 years in banking, I am now an Insurance Broker with Gibson Insurance Group.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
I am not involved in any official capacity, but I enjoy going down to Drummoyne Oval a few times each season to watch some cricket and catch up with old teammates.
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities be to ensure cricket in the state remains strong and successful on and off the field?
A strong Grade (Premier) competition is critical to the future of cricket. Whilst the game has changed in recent years, I believe the emphasis should still be on two day cricket in preparation for the next level of Sheffield Shield etc. All underage representative fixtures should be played mid-week to ensure the players availability for their Premier Clubs. It should be mandatory (unless injured) for all BBL and Sheffield Shield contracted players to play for their Premier Clubs when the playing schedule allows it. Selection in Sheffield Shield should be based solely on performances in Premier Cricket.
Not too long-ago Cricket NSW was run by an Executive and just a handful of employees……and it was successful. The overall success of the ‘Corporatization’ of that body is questionable. Player participation has declined despite the ‘numbers’ provided by the governing body. Perhaps a review of this ‘Corporate Mentality’ to ensure revenue is channeled to the appropriate would be useful.
Great read Terry. Thought you might have mentioned that the McMahons were cricketing royalty in Lismore in the 70's-80's! Played under your Dad in the early-mid 80's; even in his early 50's he was too good for most Lismore batters. Was always fun playing against you, Brian and Michael in Sydney Grade; the McMahon banter was of the highest quality - on and off the field!