Nick Bertus - trust the process
Parramatta District Cricket Club | April 17, 2023
Nick Bertus is Parramatta first grade captain and player number 570 after making his debut during the 2010/11 season.
To date he has scored close to 7,451 first grade runs including 15 centuries and 36 half centuries.
Nick is also a two time first grade premiership wining captain after leading Parramatta to the premiership in 2017-18 and most recently in 2022-23.
Nick has played 4 first class games for NSW and has a burning desire to represent the Baggy Blues again.
Let’s find out more about Nick and his journey so far
What year you were born?
1993
If you can share with our readers how you would describe yourself as a cricketer?
Batsman, Wicket Keeper and very very part time leg spinner
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket so far?
Winning Parramatta’s first 1st grade premiership in 54 years in 2017-18. Not just winning but belting a strong Sydney Uni side with a team full of Parra juniors was something I’ll never forget. Being captain in our premiership win in 2022-23 is pretty special.
At what age did you make your first grade debut?
16
Who’s your favourite all-time cricketer?
Damien Martyn and Brian Lara
Damien Martyn
Who is the fastest bowler you’ve played against?
Mitchell Starc
Who is the best spinner you’ve played against?
Steve O’Keefe. I like to refer to him as the white ball GOAT and is also great value on a night out!
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Daniel Hughes vs WA in a one day game at Drummoyne Oval. I think he scored 150 and it was his 2nd hundred in a few days. He played some of the best shots I’ve ever seen and totally destroyed an attack with Jhye Richardson, Nathan Coulter Nile, Mitch Marsh, Jason Behrendorf and Ashton Agar. I’ve never been so happy to sit with the pads on and watch the carnage unfold.
Daniel Hughes raises the bat after his century against Western Australia
Who are the two players in NSW Premier Cricket you’ve come to admire most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Adam Semple- A great competitor who when you turn up to play Randwick you know as a batter you’re in for a battle. A tremendous bowler and someone who I’ve always had trouble batting against but I have really enjoyed the challenge over the years.
Tim Cummins- I’ve been lucky enough to know Tim for a long time now as I played a lot with Pat, but he is a great cricketer in his own right and someone who always puts in for his club. He has always played in winning teams which is largely down to how he plays and approaches the game.
Tim Cummins
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Baxter Holt
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
James Wood- he captained me in 2nd grade when I was only 15/16 and he taught me how to play a tough and aggressive brand of cricket. We had plenty of success but also a lot of fun and I learnt so many lessons of how to play hard and play to win.
Which singer/band would you like to see perform live?
ACDC
Who’s the king of selfies at your club?
Luke Dempsey- he’s an attention seeker
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
There has been plenty of banter playing for Parramatta that I definitely can’t repeat but in the Grand Final I remember Sydney Uni’s opening batsman had a problem with getting out LBW as his head would fall over and he would kick it. Ben Abbott was at bat pad and I just remember him singing at the top of his lungs between each ball “where’s your head at, where’s your head at, where’s your head at”. We actually got him caught behind but it made us all laugh for a few overs.
Who’s been the biggest influence on your career so far?
My dad, he did everything for me as a kid. I never had a coach and basically learnt everything from him when I was growing up. He was my biggest supporter but also biggest critic. If I played a bad shot I would hear about it all week, but if I played well he would go through the innings all week.
Nick and his Parramatta team mates with his dad, Nigel Bertus holding the Belvedere Cup after their win in 2017-18.
Where do you find inspiration that gets you through challenging times?
Just knowing how much my dad suffered but he did a lot of it to watch my cricket. His whole week would be spent waiting for Saturday and hoping for me to get runs. It still motivates me to do well for him even though he is no longer there watching.
Who are the three people in the world you’d love to have a chat to in person?
Benji Marshall, Lebron James, Jerry Seinfeld
Benji Marshall
What do you like to do to relax outside cricket?
Punt, Golf, watch my footy team lose each week (West Tigers)
What’s your occupation?
I’m still playing cricket but I own a cricket coaching company called The Hills Cricket Academy
Do you have a favourite quote?
“Trust the process”
You’ve played 4 first class games for NSW. What did it mean to you to play for the Blues and how strong is the desire to play more first class cricket?
It meant so much to play for NSW and especially to play with guys I had grown up with was really special. I am really proud that in my 4 games I never lost one and was a part of a wining Sheffield Shield team.
I still have a strong desire to add to my 4 games and I know there’s still plenty of runs left in me. I wasn’t entirely happy how it ended and I know when my opportunity comes again I’ll take it with both hands.
Parramatta District Cricket Club 2017-18 First Grade Premiers
Back Row - William Affleck, Trent Crittendon, Jack White, Scott Copperfield, Ben Martin, Like Dempsey
Front row- Ben Abbott, Adam Turrell, Owen Simonsen, Sean Abbott, Nick Bertus (Captain), Brenton Cherry, Tim Ward
Parramatta District Cricket Club 2022-23 First Grade Premiers
Back Row - Evan Pitt, Dhruv Kant, Paul Sullivan (Assistant Coach), Ryan Hackney, Will Jarman, Michael Sullivan , Patrick Xie , Ryan Gupta , Peter Garlic (Scorer )
Front Row - Jason Coleman (Head Coach), Andrew Calvert, Alex Evans, Nick Bertus (Captain), Luke Dempsey, Hayden Goulstone, Ben Abbott
