Parramatta District Cricket Club – A Glimpse into the Past. Part 2
Parramatta District Cricket Club | December 18, 2024
On 28th February 1903 at Parramatta Oval in a First Grade match against Glebe, Cumberland Wicket-keeper George Jordan stumped five batsmen, including four of the first five wickets to fall.
Since the commencement of the A.W. Green Shield competition in 1937/38, only five players have achieved the trifecta of Captaining the Club in Green Shield, Poidevin –Gray Shield and First Grade. These Players are:
- John Benaud
- Robert Cadden
- Gavan Twining
- Michael Wood
- Nicholas Bertus
Additionally, only three other players have captained the Club in both A.W. Green Shield and First Grade – Richie Benaud, Tom Wood and Trent Crittenden.
Continuing the Captaincy theme, the following players have captained NSW in First-Class Cricket, whilst they were playing for Parramatta (Central Cumberland):
- Sydney Walford
- Walter Loveridge
- Leslie Pye
- E.L. Waddy
- Ron James
- Richie Benaud
- Doug Walters (pictured)
‘One for the Wicket-keepers’ – Cumberland wicket-keeper Wally Loveridge who later captained NSW and Cumberland’s initial First Grade Premiership Team 1899-00, removed the gloves and took the new ball against Glebe 1893/94 with devastating effect capturing 7 wickets for 22 runs.
Between 1881 and 1887 William A. Brodie captained Parramatta (Cumberland) in five matches against the touring English Test Teams, and in 1891 Nelson Kirby captained the Club’s team against the English side lead by the legendary Dr. W.G. Grace.
During the 1913/14 season prolific wicket taking Left Arm Orthodox Spinner Rupert Coogan had a golden three match sequence capturing 6/71 & 9/63 v. Petersham, 6/50 v. Middle Harbour, and 6/53 v. Paddington.
1918/19 season the Paddington First Grade batsmen demolished the Central Cumberland bowling on the Parramatta Oval, scoring a massive 6/636 in one afternoon (2.00 – 6.00pm). When current Parramatta teams are experiencing a ‘tough day,’ they should take heart and think it’s not that bad.
During the 1940’s three famous Footballers played First Grade Cricket for Central Cumberland:
- Legendary Rugby League International Forward Arthur Clues, who moved to England and became a long-standing member of the famous Leeds R.L. Club.
- Esteemed Wallaby Rugby Union Forward Eric Tweedale.
- Durable Western Suburbs First Grade Rugby League Fullback Billy Keato.
Three current members of the Club’s Executive Committee (2007) - Greg Monaghan (President), Harold Goodwin (Deputy President) and Tom Wood (Treasurer) have a couple of things in common – they have all opened the batting and captained Parramatta (Cumberland) in First Grade. Their individual best seasons for the club with the bat were:
· Greg Monaghan – 511 runs @ 28.38 (1979/80)
· Harold Goodwin – 579 runs @ 38.60 (1963/64)
· Tom Wood – 724 runs @ 42.58 (1969/70)
In the 1954/55 season Cumberland Leg Spinner Jack Treanor captured a hat-trick in his Sheffield Shield debut against Queensland in Brisbane.
Another Cumberland Leg Spinner Jack Covan produced an amazing performance for the NSW Colts v. Queensland Colts in Brisbane in 1934/35, in the Queensland second innings he captured 10 / 71, including a hat-trick.
The Club’s veteran Off-spinning Allrounder and future first-class umpire Greg Davidson turned in a sensational and match winning performance in the 1991/92 Second Grade Final v. North Sydney at Hurstville Oval – snaring 7 / 50 (including a hat-trick).
Hurstville Oval was the site of another Premiership Final victory in 1964/65, Cumberland’s Third Grade team defeating St. George, the win was generated by the lethal pace bowling of Bill Lothian, who exploited the conditions expertly to destroy the St. George batting and, in the process, capture 7 / 30 and 6 / 39. Bill went on to become a prolific First Grade wicket taker, and one of the Club’s best-ever opening bowlers.
Dave Watson was another of the Fast-Bowling fraternity to have a ‘dream match in a Third Grade match v. North Sydney at Merrylands Oval in the 1957/58 season, he ‘blew the opposition away’ in grabbing the unbelievable match figures of 13 / 25 (6 / 17 & 7 / 8). Dave’s potentially brilliant career was tragically cut short by his death in a car accident a couple of years later.
The Parramatta Club’s Poet Laureate Bob McMillan was a very able sportsman in his heyday, being a ‘bustling and competitive’ pace bowler, who played mainly Third and Second Grade, highlighted by the key role he played in helping the 1964/5 Third Grade team to win the flag. Bob was also an excellent Rugby Union player, being a regular First Grade Five-eighth for the Parramatta Club.
(By Tom Wood – Club Historian)
