Greg Hayne - get through the new ball
Sydney Cricket Club | February 12, 2023
Greg Hayne is Sydney Cricket First Grade player number 426 and a proud member of the Tigers hall of Fame.
Greg was a prolific run scorer in Sydney Grade Cricket and is currently the 3rd highest run scorer in the competitions history.
He scored 12,354 runs at an average of 36.87 and hit 26 centuries and 65 half centuries. His highest score was 161. He scored 10,285 runs for the Tigers and 2,069 runs for Gordon when he played with the Stags from 1991 to 1994
Greg played 7 first class games for NSW scoring 293 runs with a highest score of 89
He toured the UK with the Australian Under 19 team in 1989, which included Michael Kasprowicz, Damien Martyn and Matthew Hayden, returning home the Player of the Tour.
What year you were born?
1971.
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
Yep, as a 7 year old in the Under 10s. Managed to hoik the first ball over the mid-wicket fence (ok – over the witches’ hat). Stumps everywhere shortly after, but was addicted to the game from that point on.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Green Shield and thru the grades at the Balmain Tigers (now Sydney CC). Had 3 years at Gordon, and then returned to the Tigers for another 10. Couple of stints in the UK for St Fagans in Cardiff – a favourite haunt for Tigers of the day including John ‘Texas’ Rainger and Richie Brown.
Where did you start your grade career and what can you remember about your first grade debut?
I started in 5’s the same year I played Green Shield. I played most of that year in 3s and played first grade for the last couple of matches, skipping a grade in order to keep our 2’s together for their semi-finals campaign.
My first grade debut was against Wests who were something of an all-star side at that point; Dirk Wellham, Dave Gilbert, Greg Dyer, Greg Matthews, Brad MacNamara, Murray Radcliffe, Paul Ryan, Scott Hookey (about a month after his amazing NSW debut innings).
I had hardly met any of my team mates until the morning of the game, and can still remember being over-awed even in the warm ups before the game. I batted at 9, and came out to bat as they took the 2nd new ball. I remember my first and only mid-wicket conversation that day;
“Is it swinging?”
“Yeah”
“Much?”
“Yeah”
“Which way?”
“Both”
I took guard and promptly padded up to a huge Murray Radcliffe inswinger, and walked off without waiting to see the umpire’s finger. That was a tough day but in hindsight was valuable in helping prepare me for future campaigns. The next year I made some runs in the 2nds and by the time I came back up I was ready.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Left hand opening bat.
What were your strengths as a player?
I prided myself on the traditional opener’s role of getting through the new ball, especially if the other team had a strong attack. I also took seriously that other traditional opener’s role – standing at first slip and giving advice to opposing batsmen. I played with some excellent seam bowlers at both the Tigers and the Stags, so the cordon was generally busy.
You played 7 first class games for NSW, can you share with us how you found out you’d been selected to play for NSW, who did you play and what do you remember about your first class debut?
I was selected quite late in my career, I was 28 and reconciled to the fact that cricket wasn’t going to be a career for me. I’d had a good season the year before (1998/9), as part of a strong Tigers outfit that won the comp that year.
I missed the pre-season state squad but on a whim I rang the chairman of selectors and asked for a copy of the 2nd XI program for the year ahead. He responded with, “Yeah and I will send you the Shield program as well”.
There was an intra-squad match a couple of weeks later, which I was added to. I scored some runs in that game but also laid eyes on an 18 year old Michael Clarke for the first time, and wondered why I was bothering.
Anyway, they held Pup back for a few games and gave me a start for the first match of the season at the Gabba. I padded up to Michael Kasprowicz first ball of our innings and was extremely fortunate to survive. I ended up making a pair of 40s in a game where we were soundly beaten. Greg Mail, Don Nash and Brad Haddin also debuted in that game – so the selectors did get something right.
Michael Kasprowicz
Who were the best fast bowlers you have played against?
I played against lots of excellent fast bowlers, and as a “non-athlete” I always had the utmost respect for what they did. But the stand outs are Geoff Lawson, Michael Kasprowicz, Brett Lee and Wayne Holdsworth.
I found these 4 guys a bit “mesmerising” in that I used to find it hard to relax and focus on the ball, as opposed the bowler, while they were running in.
Lawson was the first Test bowler I ever faced, he had a hypnotic run in to the crease and swung the ball prodigiously.
The first time I faced Kasper was in the Under 19s and at that point he had options to play serious rugby. I used to find myself watching him steam in to bowl thinking ‘how the hell would you try to tackle this?’ He bowled with swing and steepling bounce.
Brett Lee also swung it and of course was lightning quick. All three of them classic release points and beautiful seam position, and bowled to a plan.
Cracker Holdsworth was a little bit different. He swung it and had plenty of pace, but his real weapon in my mind was his aggression and competitive streak. I used to find myself holding my breath as he was running in, and found it hard to shake the thought that he would really prefer to just keep on running through the crease and start a punch on! I coped with him a little better as a younger player, the older I got the less I enjoyed that challenge. Scott Thompson at the other end was no fun either.
On the bright side, we had plenty of pace at the Tigers too, and I would like to think opposing batsmen of the 1990’s had similar restless nights before a date with Andrew Jones, Simon Cook and the rest of the cartel at Drummoyne.
Wayne Holdsworth
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Greg Matthews and Stuart MacGill were standouts. Both bowled with such beautiful flight.
The first ball I ever faced from MacGill looked to me like it was going to be a waist high full toss. I wound up and tried to hit it onto the hill at Drummoyne but was so early on it that I nearly had time to turn around and hit it with my follow through. I also played against David Freedman a few times but never faced much of him (refer answer above).
Greg McLay was my team mate early on at the Tigers and I used to try to bat in a different net at practice because I couldn’t get near him. Sometimes if I got caught in his net he would helpfully bowl mediums so I didn’t have a nervous breakdown. Later on Gavin Robertson and Kieran Knight formed a potent spin partnership and played a big role in our premiership win.
Stuart MacGill
Who was the best batsman you’ve played against?
Michael Bevan. He made 220 against us at Drummoyne one day. It was during his difficult period in Test Cricket when he was facing criticism about the way he played the short ball.
Simon Cook opened the bowling for us and bowled really well at him, as did Gav Robertson for most of the day. But the day ended up a batting clinic, he had obviously set himself to bat for the whole day and he stroked so many 2s and 3s it drove us crazy.
Ultimately we ran him out. He had to walk past me on the way back to the pavilion. He looked fresh as a daisy, and I felt like I’d just run a triathlon chasing all that leather.
Michael Bevan
Who played the best innings you’ve seen first-hand playing with or against?
I have seen 3 outstanding, match-winning semi-final hundreds, all in Tiger’s colours;
The first was Craig Haworth against a powerful Sutherland team at Drummoyne, 1989/90. I opened the batting that day and held out a young Glenn McGrath out for about an hour, until he literally snapped my middle stump in half with a yorker. The game was held up for 10 minutes whilst we located a replacement stump. I remember spending that break in play wondering what kind of total we would be able to muster against such an attack. Next thing I recall is Flea taking guard and careening the very next ball into the point fence. He went on to make a sublime hundred in good time, his timing square of the wicket was just pure.
Ten seasons later we faced Manly away in a Qualifying Final. They batted almost until lunch on the second day for 270, giving us about 65 overs to get them. Greg Mail knocked off almost half of their total in really quick time, all without hitting a ball in the air. He did just enough to allow Richard Colbran to get us home off the very last ball of the day, sliding home in a photo-finish kamikaze single.
If there is a single moment I could bottle and relive it would be Colby sliding home and then up on his feet in one motion sprinting off with hands raised in triumph. He was half-way off the ground as the poor umpire was still trying to work out whether he had actually made it home. As for Maily, for a Ranga he absolutely loved the beachside grounds – he very rarely missed out at Manly or Coogee. Wasn’t too shabby at Drummoyne, Uni or the SCG either.
Greg Mail
And the third great semi-final innings I saw was Richard Burton in a Qualifying Final in 2003/04 against eventual premiers Easts. We were sent in on a wet track at Waverley and somehow found ourselves 6 for 8, with Burto next in. Burto had been such a reliable all-rounder for us over many seasons prior, but that year was having a hellish run of outs. As he walked onto the ground we started talking about declaring and trying to get them in and out while the wicket was still lively. Burto’s form slump had been no great mystery – he was totally preoccupied with the impending birth of his first child, and as the due date got nearer, his cricket just got worse and worse (and worse). In fact he almost withdrew from the match such were his stress levels, but when little Josie arrived safe and healthy a couple of days before the game, he decided to play.
Anyway, go figure – with his mind at ease Burto walks out like he owns the place and bats 5 hours unbeaten for a superb hundred against a classy attack led by Adrian Tucker.
Chanceless and barely a false stroke. We were actually able to declare our innings at about 220 to have a crack at them before stumps. Jason Krejza took the key wicket of Haddin, and we managed to inflict one of the few defeats Easts tasted that year on their way to the premiership. I met Josie recently, she is a young adult now and politely listened to me admonishing her for nearly derailing our cricket season 17 years earlier. She seemed apologetic enough.
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?
The first time I ever faced Brett Lee. He left three cherries on my helmet and tore the cloth of the front of it. Somehow I kept him out but I remember the very last ball of his spell was a yard faster than anything he had bowled earlier. That would comfortably be the fastest ball I ever faced, and I recall being kind of stunned by it – almost disbelieving of what I had just experienced.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I was really fortunate to stand at slip next to some world class keepers. Greg Dyer, Phil Emery, Brendon McCullum and Mark Atkinson in grade cricket, Adam Gilchrist in under age cricket, and Brad Haddin in Shield cricket.
It’s not for me to split that lot, but I would add that Andrew Fitzhenry in his early days wasn’t a million miles behind them. Fitzy also had a bit of an aura about him courtesy of his Rugby League exploits, and he always smelled nice, which was a bonus.
Andrew Fitzhenry playing rugby league for Parramatta - also a tremendous wicket keeper for Balmain
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Mick Haire was the best disciplinarian. Michael Cant the most cerebral, and Neil Maxwell the most passionate and aspirational. My old St Fagans captain Phil Makinson had elements of all three. All sought to use their strengths to get the best from each of their players. Maxi had some great attributes – including straight talking and never over-thinking decisions once he had made them. He would be the one I have taken the most inspiration from, post-cricket into my business life, (which is not to say I make a habit of throwing myself on the ground or hurling my stapler across the room whenever I get an email I don’t like).
Who was your childhood hero?
John Dyson.
John Dyson
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Drummoyne. Then Caringbah.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Winning the comp in 1998/9.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
The strangest was for Gordon v Fairfield at Killara circa ‘94. We made 270, they were 3-263 and we hadn’t taken a wicket for two hours. Phil Emery was our captain and asked for my advice at that point;
“What do we do now?”
“We lose and go home.”
“Thanks for your input. I think I’ll give Liggo a bowl.”
So Steve Liggins grabs the ball, morphs into a ginger Curtly Ambrose, we take 7 for 4 and win by 3.
The Tigers also had a fantastic win over Sutherland at Caringbah one day in about 1996. Two very good sides, including our first look at Phil Jacques and his cut-shot.
Sutherland were in front for nearly the whole game, but Phil Clune and Simon Cook came together to put on 70-odd for the last wicket to get us home, including seeing off the 2nd new ball against Stuart Clark and Brad Guthrie.
Which team mates would you choose to have next to you on QF5 to London?
I did it once with Pup Everest, Richard Burton and Richard Colbran. Wouldn’t change that for anything. Or do it again.
Greg Hayne front left - Balmain DCC 1st Grade team 1996-97 Centenary Dinner
Balmain DCC 1989/90 first grade grand final team
What is your occupation and who do you work for?
I work for Incitec Pivot Limited. We manufacture and sell explosives to mining companies and fertilizer to farmers. It’s a good business serving two very important industries.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
No. Most Saturdays you will find me on the golf course at Royal Queensland. We could put together a formidable First XI from our regular Saturday timesheet, skippered by Greg Chappell who still looks like he has plenty more runs and wickets in him.
My old Gordon team mate (and one-time world record holder for the fastest ever one-day international century), John Davison is here, as is ex-NSW quick Richard Done, former UQ premier cricketers Ian Elks and Steve Partridge, and a stack of other current and former Queensland premier and rep cricketers.
I accepted an invitation from Elksy to play a match for his UQ Over 40’s recently, and managed to turn back the clock by padding up to a straight one.
What do you appreciate the most about the time you spent in cricket?
Cricket offers life lessons and lifelong friendships. I count myself so lucky to have played with and against some incredibly gifted sportsmen, some hilarious characters, and some exceptional human beings.
