Michael Gerits - always watch the ball
UTS North Sydney District Cricket Club | March 14, 2023
Michael Gerits made his first grade debut for UTS North Sydney in 1994/95 against Gordon to become The Bears first grade player number 541.
Coming down from Newcastle Michael had already represented NSW Country Cricket and was a very talented all-rounder and a tremendous fieldsman. He was a very popular player within the club and was selected in the North Sydney club legend Michael McMahon’s all-time best grade team.
On return to Newcastle Michael continues his representative career and in 2002/03 was named as NSW Country Cricket of the Year and Newcastle representative Cricketer of the Year.
Let’s find out more about Michael’s journey in the game
Michael Gerits in the middle of the back row - NSW Country Team
What year you were born?
13th September 1973
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
The first game of cricket I remember was in under 9’s in Gunnedah and from memory I didn’t go real well after being bowled for a first ball duck.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
My cricket journey started in Gunnedah in North West NSW where I played junior cricket and then 3rd grade cricket for the Albion Police Boys Club, At 14 we moved to Gloucester on the Mid North Coast where I played local grade cricket for Country Club Cricket Club. After finishing school I moved down to Newcastle and played two seasons with the Newcastle City Cricket Club, and was lucky enough to get selected in the Newcastle representative team and consequently the NSW Country side. The following year I think 93/94 season I ventured down the Sydney and played for North Sydney CC until the 1998/99 season when I moved across to the Mosman CC for 2 seasons before moving back to Newcastle.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
It was in 3rd Grade in Gunnedah and I was 14yrs old.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I was 18 when I made my 1st grade debut for North Sydney against Gordon, I think I scored 20 odd.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I was a batting all-rounder.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
My highest score in senior cricket was 197 not out against Manly CC at North Sydney No.2 playing 2nd grade.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Stuart Clark his record speaks for itself
Don Nash just his pace and the ability to swing it away
Daniel McLauchlan left arm and real quick on his day.
Stuart Clark
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Ken Hall just gave you nothing
Gavin Robertson – Robo’s flight and dip was tough
Greg Mathews – similar to Gavin
Gavin Robertson
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Jeremy Bray – Just a pleasure to watch, always ready to take on the attack.
Greg Mail – never felt like you had him troubled and would bat forever.
Brad Haddin – just his ball striking from ball one.
Jeremy Bray playing for Ireland after leaving Sydney
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I would have to say Scott Hookey’s 200 in a 50 over game at Fairfield. I had the best position in the house batting with him. Just his dominance of the attack and the ground wasn’t big enough.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Best keeper I played with would have to be Nigel Taylor at the Bears and against I would say Daryl Parmenter
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Two that came to mind would be Trent Johnston and the second is Fanie De Villiers
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Phil Marks, his competitive nature and instilling that into the team.
Phil Marks
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
This story was back in my first season in Newcastle, I was just 18 and moved down from the bush and got selected to play for Newcastle against the NSW 2nd Xl.
At that time it had the likes of Adam Gilchrist, Martin Haywood, Richard Chee Quee, Shane Lee etc.
So as a little country kid I was over whelmed, a wicket fell and I went out to bat facing a fired up Neil Maxwell.
I was able to get some runs but during my innings the banter was constant but I couldn’t understand why they referred to me as boobs!! “Let’s get boobs, “
Anyway the days play had finished and they came into the sheds for a beer and during the discussion boobs came up and with me being the shy country kid I didn’t say anything however one of my team mates asked, “Why are you calling him boobs?”
They said look at his name on the scoreboard, they had spelt my surname Gertits … anyway it always gives me a laugh looking back and I always enjoyed hearing good banter on the field.
Who was your childhood hero?
Steve Waugh
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Rory McIlroy, Steve Smith and Roger Federer
Rory McIlroy
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Richie Benaud, Andrew Symonds, Greg Blewett
What was your favourite ground to play at?
North Sydney Oval
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Bankstown at the time I got to grade were the power house and always had 5 or 6 first class players and just played a really tough brand of cricket, so if you could do all right against them it was always a good feeling
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
Greatest part without a doubt about playing cricket is the mateship
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Being selected for the NSW Colts and The Australian Country XI
What are your hobbies?
Golf
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Watch the ball
What is your current occupation?
Stay at home Dad
If you were running Cricket at a State Level what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
For me it’s just maintain the connection with the grassroots particularly the first class guys playing as much grade cricket as possible. I understand the scheduling makes this difficult these days but there was nothing better then knowing on the weekend, as a young bloke you’d be getting the chance to play against some of the best cricketers in the country. It’s the best way to develop and compete against the best.
