Nic Bills: My Greatest Grade XI
UTS North Sydney District Cricket Club | October 27, 2024
Nic Bills has had fantastic Grade Cricket career which still has plenty of tomorrows. Over 15 years, he’s been involved in some fierce battles. He’s racked up more than 500 wickets and lifted eight premiership trophies across all formats. North Sydney, Manly, Mosman, Sydney – he’s worn the colours of them all, adding a bit of his own history to each club along the way.
There was even a taste of state cricket with New South Wales, and Big Bash with the Sydney Thunder, not to mention multiple days at the SCG where he found himself fielding in a Test match.
With all those experiences fresh in his memory, Bills now shares his best XI from the ranks of Sydney grade cricket – a team shaped by years of gritty competition.
Clubs listed are where Bills and the selected player played together.
1: AJ Mosca (Sydney): Tough and gritty, and always played his best when the game or opposition was tougher. Not a regular opener, but high price on his wicket and would succeed comfortably as an opener. Not afraid to take the game on, and didn’t mind giving a bit back to the bowler every now and then!
2: Adam Crosthwaite (Manly): May need to have a mediator in the middle with AJ and Crossy opening the batting together, but without a doubt one of the best batters I have played with and against at Premier Cricket level. Tough competitor and knew his game inside out, and how to best accumulate runs on any surface.
3: Ahillen Beadle (Manly): Like a few batters in this side, has been one of the top batters in Premier Cricket for well over a decade and is still at the top now. Can play multiple roles with the bat if required but at his best is a free-flowing stroke maker who can dominate a bowling attack. 2nd spinner in the side and can bowl some handy LAOs.
4: Jay Lenton (WK) (North Sydney & Manly): One of 4 keepers in the team, but gets the gloves in this XI and is outstanding behind the stumps. The fact he’s the tallest probably helps as he can get further down the leg side! Is just as intimidating with the bat, and has the record to match and is still scoring first grade 100s well into the back end of his career.
5: Beau McClintock (Sydney): Finished playing at Sydney as one of the best middle order players in Premier Cricket in both red and white ball cricket. Would also have been the best finisher in limited overs cricket I have seen at this level, and could adapt his game to suit any role required with the bat. Exceptional gloveman too, who worked incredibly hard on the craft and is stiff not to be the keeper.
6: Dan Smith (Captain) (Sydney) Tactically the best player I have played under as captain, was always two overs ahead of the game and an unbelievable leader of men. His batting numbers often get overlooked, but could take the game away from the opposition in only a few overs and is incredibly tough to bowl to with such a good power game.
7: Scott Rodgie (North Sydney & Mosman): Probably stiff to be batting 7, but gets the allrounder role in the XI with remarkable stats with both bat and ball. Another tall intimidating batter who doesn’t mind taking the game on and is arguably playing his best cricket across the last 2/3 seasons.
8: Ben Manenti (Sydney): Another unbelievable competitor and never gave the opposition an inch with ball or bat. Off spin bowler with a great ability to play both defensively and aggressively with the ball depending on the conditions, and hasn’t been a surprise seeing him succeed at the next level. Great ability with the bat as well and has ball striking ability in the lower order.
9: Alex Glendenning (Sydney): Offers variation as a left-handed bowler with both the new and old ball. Always had a habit of taking an early wicket, and could find an extra yard of pace when 9, 10 and 11 rolled to the crease. Handy lower order batter, who could always chime in with runs at a decent clip at the back end of the innings.
10: James Campbell (North Sydney): Still one of the best new ball bowlers in the comp. One of the very few who finds the mark from ball one each and every week and similar to Glendo very rarely leaves his first spell without a wicket. Gives 100% each and every game and will bowl 20 overs + a day. Could potentially be a bit high at number 10 in the batting order, but with 1 first grade 50 gets the nod over Tic!
11: Tom Ortiz (Sydney): Have played with some good fast bowlers over the years, but none more team oriented than Tic. Always happy to bowl the hard overs, and could find a wicket on any surface when others wouldn’t. Had more than enough skill with the ball, but had the work ethic to match. Genuine number 11 with the bat.
12th man: Justin Rodgie (North Sydney & Sydney): Always need someone who can carry the drinks and boost morale.
