My best grade cricket team - Paul Bourke 1974 to 1990

Paul Bourke | June 13, 2023

I had the good fortune of playing Sydney Grade Cricket with many great players across my time playing with St George, Gordon, Campbelltown and Sutherland from 1974 to 1990.

Here’s my best grade time from players I had the privilege to play with and the only criteria I set was that we had to at least played a minimum of half a season together.

I’ve also added my own management team.

In batting order: 

1. Wayne Seabrook - St George

NSW 165 on debut for NSW. Powerful stroke player who had the ability to amass big scores in quick time. His 6857 First Grade runs were often scored in a most brutal manner.

2. John Dyson – Sutherland

NSW/Australia (Tests 30/ODIs 29). Loved batting at all levels. His 9935 First Class runs at above 40 is an outstanding record while in First Grade, 7527 at above 42, illustrated his hunger to score.

3. Ian Davis - Gordon and Campbelltown

NSW/Australia (Tests 15/ODIs 3) including 1977 Melbourne Centenary Test (great second innings half century that helped turn the game) and Packer World Series Cricket. Quality stroke player who scored freely all around the wicket. Simply a class player.

4. Brian Booth – St George

NSW/Australia (Tests 29) Captained Australia twice and represented in the 1956 Olympics in Hockey. A Test average above 42, over 11,000 First Class runs at more than 45 and 10,674 First Grade runs are a testimony to his performances over many years. He was my first batting partner when I made my debut.

5. Rod Davison – Sutherland

NSW. Over 13,500 First Grade runs in Sydney and Brisbane confirms his run making ability. For NSW he scored 2300 at 35, which included 4 centuries.

6. Graham Smith - St George

NSW. At grade level he was a punishing bat, a very good change bowler and great in the field. His 13 performances for NSW in Limited Overs Cricket were impressive, averaging over 33 with the bat and included 3 Man of the Match Awards.

7. Steve Rixon – Sutherland- Vice captain and wicket keeper

NSW/Australia (Tests 13/ODIs 6) plus NZ Coach and many other coaching roles including multiple NSW Sheffield Shield and IPL Trophies. At grade level he could tear an attack apart with his batting and his keeping was like having an extra bowler in the team. Enjoyed a chat on the field.

8. Derek Pringle – Campbelltown

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Essex/England (Tests 30/ODIs 144) including 3/22 and 16 not out in World Cup Final 1992. His allround performances were crucial in the 1986/7 season when Campbelltown were First Grade Limited Overs Premiers, NSW Limited Overs Champions and runners up in First Grade. As his captain, he made my job much easier. Derek’s knowledge, all round skills and ability to adapt to different roles enabled the team to enjoy consistent success.

9. Murray Bennett – St George and Captain

NSW/Australia (Tests 3/ODIs 8). Calm and knowledgeable it was no surprise he ended up captaining NSW. A quality all round cricketer who took over 600 wickets (left arm finger spin) in First Grade and First Class cricket. He also delivered the “arm ball of the century” to dismiss Viv Richards in the Sydney Test in 1985 as Australia recorded a famous win over the World Champions (West Indies).

10. Kerry O’Keefe – St George

NSW/Australia (Tests 24/ODIs 2) including Melbourne Centenary Test (three wickets in the fourth innings including the big ones, Derek Randall and Tony Greig) and Packer World Series Cricket. An incredible record in all levels of cricket. Not many Australian leg spinners have taken 476 First Class wickets.

11. Glenn McGrath – Sutherland

NSW/Australia (Tests 124/ODIs 250) including 563 wickets in Test cricket and 381 in one day internationals. Wisden Cricketer of the Year, Allan Border Medal and three time World Cup winner. He made an immediate impact when debuted in First Grade (Sutherland 1989). Glenn comes from my neck of the woods ie Dubbo/Narromine.

12. Steve Bernard – St George

NSW. Australian Team Manager 1993-2011 and ICC Match Referee 2012 to present. 545 First Grade wickets at 15.43 is an almighty performance. As a number 3 bat I was very happy when he joined our team at St George. Great control, knew how to work a batsman over and quick enough to keep batsmen on the back foot. A very skillful bowler who was instrumental in Saints winning the 1984/5 Premiership.

(Standby) Tom Shiner – Campbelltown

NSW 2ND XI leg spinner 436 First Grade wickets. Very hard to leave him out! A spin bowler with the attitude of a tear away quick!! Just loved competing.

 

Officials

President/Patron: Warren Saunders, Brian Booth - both St George legends 

Secretary: Tom Iceton - Sutherland. Committed and has statistics for everything. 

Scorer/team Manager: Brian Corbett – St George. Always a good guy to have around the team and certainly a character. 

Club Coach: Steve Rixon - Sutherland. Believes in hard work but always with quality.