Hugh McKay - never assume
Hawkesbury Cricket Club | July 24, 2024
The Hawkesbury Cricket Club honored Hugh McKay with a Life Membership in 2013.
Hugh is Hawkesbury Cricket Club first grade player number 29. He was an inaugural committee member when Hawkesbury entered the Sydney Grade Cricket competition in 1985–86 and still sits on the club's committee.
Hugh served as President of the Club in 2014–15, has been the club coach and grounds coordinator, and still plays for Hawkesbury Over 50s cricket team.
Hugh McKay has and continues to make a terrific contribution to Hawkesbury Cricket Club, so let’s find out more about his journey in the game.
RG McGees Richmond is a proud sponsor of the Hawkesbury Cricket Club
What year were you born?
1961
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
I first played for my Primary school (Elanora Heights Public) with no memorable success (with a cork ball on an outfield pitch- ouch!). My first club game was aged 10 playing Under 12’s for Narrabeen Lakes on a concrete pitch in the Manly Warringah DCA Junior Comp. I was the second top scorer with 11 and was clapped off the field and on the back by everyone because double figures was a rarity.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Narrabeen Lakes CC Juniors, Manly Warringah Junior Reps, Glossodia CC, Windsor CC, Pitt Town CC, Hawkesbury Reps, Penrith DCC (4 years Grades 2-5), Hawkesbury CC (20 years Grades 1-5), Hawks Masters last 3 years, NSW Over 60’s last 2 years.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
Narrabeen Lakes CC 4th Grade in Manly Warringah DCA aged 14. Penrith DCC 3rd Grade aged 19.
What was the highest grade you played, and can you remember how you performed in your first game in that grade?
Sydney 1st Grade for Hawkesbury Cricket Club. I scored 22 and took a wicket.
If you could share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
As a youngster I was an allrounder and then as a teenager and as I got taller, I bowled fast and I became a pace bowling all-rounder. As I’ve got older, I bat and bowl off spin.
What were your strengths as a player?
Energetic, enthusiastic, dynamic, excitable (not sure if that’s a strength?).
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
129 for Hawkesbury 3rd grade in Sydney Grade Cricket at the age of 32.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
8 for 7 for Hawkesbury Under 19 Reps aged 18. 8 for 15 for Glossodia CC in Hawkesbury DCA 3rd Grade aged 15 and 7 for 44 for Hawkesbury Cricket Club 3rd Grade in Sydney Grade Cricket aged 31.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
In Sydney 2nd Grade, Jim Wilson from Parramatta CC (I think) bounced me 1st ball, it was that quick that I didn’t see it and I dollied it off the shoulder of my bat to gully for a golden duck.
Chris Killen roughed me up a bit once in 1st Grade and Stuart Karpinnen (Penrith) did the same as Wilson and broke the top corner off my bat.
Chris Killen
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Craig Bayldon at Veterans Indoor 10 years ago, I couldn’t lay bat on him.
Any good left arm orthodox or right arm legspinner used to get me all the time when I was younger. I got better at playing spin as I’ve got older.
Who were the best 3 batters you’ve played against?
I’ve seen so many great batters
Rod Bower was always impressive, and he hit the ball so hard. Geoff Spotswood same. A 16-year-old Steve Waugh in a PG’s match Penrith v Bankstown at Howell Oval. I was 20, running in letting them go as fast as I could, and he smashed me everywhere during his century.
Rod Bower
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
There’s been so many and impossible to choose so to I’ll embarrass my son Dale with his 180 not out for Hawkesbury 4th Grade v Manly at Graham Reserve when he 16 in 2008. I was at the other end. I got 88 and we put on 210 together. Still an all-wickets club record for Hawkesbury Cricket Club in that grade.
Was there any bowler or batter in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Left arm anything, anyone with real pace, any good spinner (and some not so good ones.)
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in grade cricket?
Playing a star-studded Western Suburbs first grade in the late 80’s, with half the side playing for NSW or Australia at the time. Surprisingly our Hawkies no-name side gave them a fright.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Laurie Renshaw was very good at Penrith in the early 1980’s. Ian Alchin at Hawks even as an older player.
Who are the two players you admire most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Hard to go past Ken Hall, a cricket “animal” (still, even at 71 years old!) and Geoff Spotswood similar as a young man.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Laurie Renshaw at Penrith in the early 1980’s. Ron Hall in the early Hawkesbury years took 3rd Grade to a final in the club’s second season in 1986/87. Ian Alchin again, and Ronnie’s cousin “Choc” Hall (Ken’s brother) was a standout.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Bruce Gurney, Peter Sullivan.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Plenty to choose from in 50 plus years of playing cricket. I still smile at a running battle I had one day with Greg Matthews (who was playing for Australia at the time). He told me I was “a shit shoveller, shovelling shit.” Some of the best banter is in my current Hawkesbury Masters team. Hilarious.
Who was your childhood hero?
Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee and my dad.
Greg Chappell
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Kelly Slater (my pick for greatest sportsperson of all time), Roger Federer, Muhammed Ali.
Kelly Slater
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Manly Oval
What team did you especially look forward to playing against?
In the early Hawkesbury seasons the local derby against Penrith. Great rivalry, always plenty of former team mates in both sides.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Scoring my first hundred aged 32. That partnership with my son.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Not a win, but an outright tie with fierce rivals Penrith in 3rd grade in Hawkesbury second season after getting smashed on the first innings.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Ian Alchin, Bruce Gurney, Peter Sullivan- or some of the current Hawkesbury Masters side (they’re funny bastards).
What are your hobbies?
Surfing. I started when I was 57 and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. Wish I started 50 years earlier.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Never assume.
What is your occupation?
I’ve taught PE at Bede Polding College, Windsor for 33 years. Pushing to be the oldest PE teacher ever.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Still heavily involved with Hawkesbury Cricket Club. My son is 1st Grade captain, I’m still on the Committee. Inaugural Committee member/player 1985/86. Former President, Club Coach, Grounds Co-Ordinator. 1st Grade player No.29. Currently playing for Hawks Over 50’s in the Sydney Masters Competition. Also played for NSW Over 60’s in the last 2 years.
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities be to ensure cricket in the state remains strong and successful on and off the field?
Easy. In NSW, give Sydney first grade back its former status of being the selection platform for higher honours. Get cricket programs back into schools.
