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John 'Tex' Rainger

Sydney Cricket Club | March 14, 2023

John ‘Tex’ Rainger made his first grade debut for Balmain Tigers (now Sydney Cricket Club) at the age of 20 in 1988. John is the proud owner of Sydney Cricket Club first grade cap number 432.

A left hand batsman John is from from Inverell in North West NSW and made his way down to the Tigers after a net session and recommendation from a travelling sporting rep.

Let’s find out about more about John cricketing journey

What year were you born?

1968

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

I played under 9s in Inverell as an 8 year old. I can’t remember how I went but got told I couldn’t reverse hit or switch hit when the ball was bowled wide on the edge of the wicket.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

I played all my junior cricket in Inverell up to 16. Also playing senior cricket when blokes were harvesting or had a big night out and were not up to fielding in the heat. Fine leg to fine leg as a 12 year old was the only time that was fun. You knew you were accepted into the side when you did fine leg to mid-off.

Played representative up till 18 for Inverell where I came across a bloke called Paul Ryan we had some tight tussles against Armidale.

I went down to Sydney after having a net with a sports representative that was in town and ended playing my grade cricket at Balmain DCC. Had about 7 seasons going to and from the UK. Played for Earby CC (Ribblesdale League), Skipton CC In Yorkshire and St Fagans in Glamorgan. Left Balmain and headed back into the country playing down the far south coast for Tathra CC. Then ventured to Melbourne playing for Carrum Downs CC. So now I am playing for Wyong DCC when I hope to retire next season.

In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket in Sydney?

3rds or 4ths at 18 half way through the 86/87 season.

Coming down to Sydney from the country, what made you chose to play at Balmain?

The local sports shop owner knew I wanted to go to Sydney to play so he organised with a sports rep that was doing the bush rounds to have a practise net at the local synthetic nets. I batted and had a bowl against a bloke called Darren Tucker and he said come on down see how you go at Balmain “no promises”, it just was good to have a contact. I think he runs New Balance now.

Darren Tucker

At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?

I was 20 and can't remember my debut so must’ve done that well

If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?

I'll use Cliff Winning words of wisdom for this. Admirable concentration and a keen desire to accumulate runs rather than ‘slash’ after them.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

152 for Skipton CC in Yorkshire.

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

Not my best figures but did get a wicket in 1st grade one year. That will do me.

Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?

Brett Lee - in a 2nd grade game he bowled the whole middle session when he was 15. He was quick and took 6 wickets.

Wayne Holdsworth - bowled a quick spell at Drummoyne on a green wicket. We bowled Bankstown out for 88 so he was wound up. I think he pinned a few Shield players not long after that game.

Geoff Lawson - 2 balls snicked up. Enough said.

And this was all without a helmet.

Craig Bayldon got me through the lid one day, which was quick.

Played against some very quick young blokes in a season of 2s when they all wanted to show what they had so they could get into first grade. When I played on the Central Coast we had a fast bowler, Robert Westley who we called “The White Whispering Death. “ I’ve never stood so far back at first slip in my life, glad he was on my side.

Geoff Lawson

Who has been the best three spinners you have played against?

Paul Talbot, David Freeman, Kenny Hall.

Coming from the bush we didn’t see too many spinners so if they had a wrong un or turned it, I wasn't hitting it.

Who has been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?

Rod Bower – hit the ball the hardest I ever saw.

Mark O’Neill – smooth and had so much time

Scott Hookey - powerful.

Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

I saw Darren Tucker, Neil Howlett and Greg Hayne score some great runs for the Tigers and they all made it look very easy. I didn’t mind watching a bloke called Craig Howarth bat for the Tigers as well.

Greg Hayne

Was there any team in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit when you played against them?

Playing Bankstown. Batting against them, every ball their fielders would throw the ball back to the wicket keeper irrespective of where you’d hit the ball. Not that it worried me it just stirred you up to knock them all over when they were batting.

Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Phil Emery

Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?

Greg Hayne and Andrew Jones

Who has been your funniest team mate?

Terry McMahon - great rhyming slang.

Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?

This send-off still makes me laugh today. I scored a hundred in 2nd grade against Waverley at Waverley Oval and I got sledged by most of the players. There was this Pommie playing for them he gave it to me from word go even and when I got out he gave me a big send off.

Well, he came out to bat and lasted about 4 or 5 overs before he was bowled leaving one that hit off stump. I didn’t say a word but everyone else gave him the biggest spray I’d ever seen. The best was big Stewie who’d run from fine leg to open the gate and give him a bit more as he left.

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

Hat trick ball given out LBW. I thought I’d hit but my mate at the other end said nowhere near it.

Who was your childhood hero?

Allan Border - tough as nails.

Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?

Hugh Bowman, Allan Border, Terry Randall

Terry Randall

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Bumble Lloyd

What was your favourite ground to play at?

Coogee Oval. Loved going to the beach after a game.

What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?

Waverley CC. Home or away we seemed to always get back to The Back Room for a few drinks, fun times. Cheers Horse

What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?

The mates you gain from playing with and against. I just loved playing, still do.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Winning a Grand final on the Central Coast with Wyong after they hadn’t won in 30 odd years. Hitting winning runs and watching the crowd run on was great.