Michael Ho - find a way to help my side
Sydney Cricket Club | January 07, 2025
Michael Ho is one of the most outstanding young coaches in Premier Cricket. His work with Sydney Cricket Club Senior Women's teams is outstanding
We believe Michael is destined for higher coaching honours and he’s widely respected by all in NSW Premier Cricket.
Let’s find out more about Michael’s journey in the game so far.
What year were you born?
1993.
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
I don’t remember my first game at all, it was too long ago! I would’ve been 10 or 11 playing for Cessnock Supporters CC in the U12s.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I grew up playing junior and senior cricket in Cessnock until I moved to Sydney at 18. I played for Sydney Cricket Club for 6 or 7 years in the lower grades before moving to Parramatta DCC for 4 seasons up until season 2023/24.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
I finished an U14 game in the morning, got home and received a call from the 1st grade skipper, Nathan Stapleford, asking if I wanted to play 1s this afternoon. Safe to say I was a bit surprised and nervous. I think I batted 11 and the skipper was kind enough to give me a bowl and took a wicket after going for plenty.
What was the highest grade you played, and can you remember how you performed in your first game in that grade?
I was very fortunate to play first grade at Parramatta DCC during their Belvidere Cup winning season in 2022/23 and receive cap number 617. I wasn’t required with the bat as Ryan Hackney scored an unbeaten ton to set up a large total to defend in the 50 over match. I bowled a decent spell to finish with figures of 1/25 off 7 overs.
Michael Ho bowling
If you could share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I was a leg spinning all-rounder.
What were your strengths as a player?
I’d like to think I was quite determined and competitive. As a batter, I wasn’t the most skillful but I relished in the tough situations and was determined to dig in and find a way to help my side. As a leg spin bowler, I always tried to give it a rip and developed a few variations that I probably bowled a bit too often to mask the fact that accuracy and consistency wasn’t a strength of mine.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
I’m in the unfortunate club of players to have never scored a century at any level. I think my best was 91 for Parramatta DCC at Merrylands Oval after being dropped 2 or 3 times.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Every dog has its day, and I had mine a few seasons ago for Parramatta DCC in 3rd grade at Merrylands Oval. As skipper that game, I threw myself the ball after Easts had amassed a strong start chasing our 190 at 1/120 after about 30 overs. Somehow, I took 8/40 off 8.4 overs to snatch an unlikely victory.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
I was never in long enough to face the quicks at their best and I often hid from the new rock batting at 7, but I remember having to face the bowling attack of Jamieson, Kaye and Counsel from Manly 2s for a long period of time which was very challenging especially Counsel with his height and pace with a 2nd new ball.
Michael Ho batting
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
The best three spinners I faced were at training every Tuesday and Thursday for Parramatta. Hayden Goulstone with his relentless accuracy and subtle variations, Ryan Gupta for his ability to drift and spin the ball both ways and Aryan Malik for his speed through the air and the revolutions on the ball he generated.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Ryan Hackney scored a century in my first grade debut. He just made the game look so easy and looked like a class above.
Was there any bowler or batter in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Everyone caused me problems.
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?
Playing a Saturday/Sunday two day game in 1st grade against Fairfield Liverpool, I was mainly a spectator as there was an intense battle of bat vs ball. Hayden Goulstone bowled about 40 overs of off spin in a single day from one end and barely bowled a loose ball picking up 4 wickets. I certainly couldn’t match the ability to perform for such a long period of time under mental and physical fatigue on the 2nd day.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I got to play with Jay Noorbergen from Parramatta for a few seasons and admired his skills and work ethic each and every week. He was such a consistent keeper and never let his high standards drop. He made keeping look easy.
Who are the two players you admire most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Played very few games with Nick Bertus but immediately saw his on-field intensity and competitiveness first hand to go along with his skills.
I got to play a bit with Ryan Gupta and watch him work his magic as a fellow leg spinner. To have such control at a young age whilst always giving it a rip along with his already developed variations was a joy to watch.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Nathan Stapleford from Cessnock. As a young boy playing men’s cricket, Stapo always provided me with a great amount of support and belief in my skills to go along with his ability to win games on his own with bat and ball.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Damian Rapisarda from Sydney CC. We’ve always found a way to have a laugh whilst competing on the field.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Playing 4th or 5th grade a long time ago for Sydney CC, scores were tied after UNSWs second innings in a 2 day match. Our openers only had to score a single run to win. UNSW opened the bowling with Josh Gavin (JPG bat maker) and had every fielder between slip and point. Somehow our teammate Dhanuka Dissanayake managed to get out for a duck to the part time bowler and it still makes me laugh today.
Who was your childhood hero?
Shane Warne. I spent 20 years trying to master leg spin bowling because of him.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Cristiano Ronaldo.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Drummoyne Oval.
What particular team did you especially look forward to playing against?
Manly. We had a strong rivalry with Manly at Parramatta for a few seasons and I knew we were in for a tough day of cricket.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Making my first-grade debut at Parramatta.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
It would probably have to be the game I took 8 wickets. I’m still not sure how we managed to get a win that day. It was a fluke of a day, and I haven’t gone close to replicating that performance since.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Damian Rapisarda, Nathan Breen, Liam Robson to relive some old memories playing lower grades at Sydney CC.
What are your hobbies?
I love playing golf. This season I’ve swapped the cricket field for the golf course on a Saturday and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
I can’t recall a single piece of advice, but I’ve received a lot from the likes of Russel Grimson and Greg Healy regarding coaching the girls at Sydney CC. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have learnt more about the coaching side of the game from them both.
What is your occupation?
I’m currently back at university completing a Masters of Secondary Teaching at MQ Uni. If anyone needs a mathematics teacher in the next year, let me know!
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
The 2024/25 season is my first season as head coach of the girls at Sydney CC after 7 successful seasons prior under Russel Grimson. I think I’m enjoying coaching more than I ever did playing and it’s been a pleasure to support the talented and determined cricketers at our club.
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?
Pick the best 11 players to represent NSW. Reward those that perform at Premier cricket level with opportunities at the next level. It can be very confusing and disheartening to players who consistently perform and win competitions to be overlooked for opportunities to further challenge themselves as cricketers.
