Mark Kelaher - eye opener for a boy from the bush
Stockton and Northern Districts Cricket Club | August 26, 2023
Mark Kelaher had a much travelled cricket journey that took him from the Far South Coast of New South Wales, to Sydney, the North of England, Scotland, Newcastle and the Gold Coast.
A talented all-rounder who is NSW Country Cricket player number 31.
Mark played for Petersham Marrickville in Sydney and when he joined Stockton & Northern Districts Cricket Club he was the catalyst and arranged the first annual pre-season weekend when Petersham (now Randwick Petersham) travelled to Newcastle to play Stockton & Northern Districts. The tradition has continued since 1988.
Let’s find out more about Mark’s journey in the game
What year were you born?
Born in 1959 in Wee Waa NSW
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
My first competitive game of cricket was in P5 for Pilliga Public School against Burren Junction on mats. We fielded first and the old ball we were given would pick up every burr on the way to you. We lost but I do remember getting a few runs because they kept bowling short to the only shot I had at that age. Distinctly remember our head master who was umpiring, yelling at us to run instead of watching the ball roll into the outfield.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Cricket has literally taken me across the other side of the world and back. My journey started on the Far South Coast of NSW and from there I have played in the Sydney Grade Competition, then as an amateur in the North East of England. Followed by a stint as a club professional and amateur in Scotland, to Newcastle and finally to the Gold Coast in Queensland. Along the way I managed to acquire an ECB Staff Coach qualification and did some work for the Scottish Cricket Union as a Development Officer.
What clubs did you play for?
Bega Cricket Club from 1972 – 78
Petersham Marrickville from 1979 – 1986
Stockton & Northern Districts from 1988 – 1990
Chester-Le-Street Cricket Club (England) 1986, 1987
Brechin Cricket Club, Scotland (Professional) – 1990 – 1992
Strathmore Cricket Club, Scotland (Amateur) – 1993 – 2000
Palm Beach Currumbin, Queensland – 2001 - 2006
What representative cricket did you play, if any?
Far South Coast Under 21
Southern Zone (Tooheys Cup)
NSW Country – 1987 to 1989
Australian Country – 1987 and 1989
North Zone, Scotland – 1992 to 1998
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
Probably going to be two parts to this question. I actually started playing competition cricket in Bega in A Grade, simply because we only had one team and they were good enough to play that grade. I would have been about 14 or 15 at the time and playing against men on mats and malthoid was an interesting experience.
My Sydney grade debut was in second grade for Petersham and I was 20 at the time. I ended up in 1st Grade halfway through the year as a few of the regular first grade players had gone to other clubs. A big eye opener for a boy from the bush.
At what age did you make your first-grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
Was 20 years old and it was against Sutherland at Sutherland. We batted first and I think I amassed a boundary free 9 before given out caught behind to a spinner when I swear I was not within a mile of it. Consequently I was reminded where the gate was by the ever helpful close fielders. Did not get a bowl because the captain thought there was too much pressure in a tight match and to top it all off they took the winning run off a ball hit straight to me at short fine leg. Not a great beginning.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I was an all-rounder who probably did better with the ball than the bat early in my career. Once I got a taste for batting I liked to put a high price on my wicket and it’s that approach that helped me the most. I hated getting out because it was boring sitting on your bum in the stands watching others hit full tosses to the fence.
Although I was very competitive I was never into the sledging because to me, you should put up before you open your mouth. Nothing dumber than someone who got a duck telling you how you can't bat.
What were your strengths as a player?
I was always outwardly calm with the bat, even when I wondered if I was going to die, and I think it put the opposition off when they could not get under my skin. Have been told I had time to play shots but there were days when the pitch was not long enough.
My bowling was miserly and I aimed to take a wicket with every ball because if you are going to run that far you might as well make it worthwhile. Always liked to field and was better than most in the slips.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
192 not out for North District in a 60 over District game in Scotland. We bowled first and they made 350 for about 4 in 60 overs and we got them in 55 with 2 down. Funniest thing was that a batsmen in their team had set the District record of 186 in the first innings. He held it for about 3 hours. Think it still stands as they don’t really play those games any more.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Apparently I took 6-41 in first grade against Balmain at Drummoyne Oval one day but I can't for the life of me remember a wicket. There was also a 5-64, also in first grade, against Wests at Marrickville Oval and I can't remember that either. Must have been true because I have the paper clippings to prove it.
I can't remember taking 7 so they would have to be the best seeing they were in first grade.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Mike Whitney
Most competitive bloke you ever want to meet on a cricket field. Only played against him a couple of times and that was enough. Whit would rather lose a leg than give you a ball to hit.
Geoff Lawson
Fastest bowler I have been at the other end to. Took forever to get to the crease which just gave you too much time to think about what was coming. Our captain one day against Uni of NSW batted first when Geoff could only play 1 weekend. Not the sanest move but he did bat 6. Still recall a short ball cutting off the pitch, passing over 2nd slip by some 10 feet and taking one bounce over the deep third man fence. Captain could not be found after that ball because we really wanted a quite word with him.
The Bloke from Tassie
Have to call him this because I can't remember his name but he played for Tassie. Played against him when I was on tour with a Goulbourn area team just after I went to Sydney. We bowled first on a great wicket and rolled them cheaply even though they had a few ex State players.
We did not put a mark on the bowling crease but batting 3, I came in to the non-strikers end for the last few balls of this guys over. There was a crater in the crease about 3 inches deep and he was bowling like the wind. He nearly cleaned up the Country keeper at the time with a bouncer and I really did not want to go down that end but eventually I was there. Bouncer followed and I must have conned them as I swayed out of the way (no time to duck) because he did not bowl another one for a while. Swear the Kookaburra was laughing at me as it went past.
Mike Whitney
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
David Hourn
Batted as night watchmen against him at Waverly Oval and had no idea where the ball was going until it hit the pitch and went the other way to what I thought it would. Somehow managed to stay in and next week he was away on State duty. Sweet
Derek Parry
West Indian off spinner who was part of the South African rebel team. Derek could turn it on glass and was a legend in the North East of England where I played for a couple of seasons as an amateur. On the softer English tracks he regularly bowled to 7-2 or 6-3 fields and there was nothing you could do about it. Only time I could hear a ball "fizz" on the way down.
Ian Bevan
Played against Ian in Scotland a fair bit and was the most accurate spinner I have faced. Not a huge turner but gave you nothing to hit. I did get him one day when he decided to open the bowling with the new ball. First ball floated up and went back over his head for six. Look on his face was priceless but it was the last ball I got that had anything like air for the rest of the innings.
David Hourn
Who were the best three batsman you’ve played with or against?
Ian Davis
Met him a couple of times in Sydney Grade and on one particular day on a softish wicket at Petersham he repeatedly dispatched our opening bowler from just short of a length to the mid-wicket fence. It was stunning to watch and it was then that I realised what the gap was between me and Test players. It was very wide. It was a shame he was thrown into Test cricket so young because he could have been anything.
Bronko Djura
Bronco was with me at Petersham and had so much time with the bat it was ridiculous. Played all the shots and made it look easy. Rugby League's gain was cricket’s loss with Bronco. Saw him start to take Gregg Matthews apart at Pratten Park from the other end before the rain came.
Mark Curry
Going to include Prawns here because he was probably the best striker of a ball when he was set that I've played with. If you did not get him early you usually paid a high price by the end. However he would have to be the worst ten pin bowling player in the world.
Mark Curry
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Played with a guy at Petersham called Peter Taylor (not the Australian spinner with the same name) and he scored a 100 before lunch in First Grade at Petersham Oval. Everything was off the middle and he played shots I never thought were possible. It was a fantastic innings and I can still remember some of it now.
Peter Taylor
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
Probably my first games in Sydney first grade with Petersham. Suddenly found it harder to score runs and take wickets than before. Verbals were a bit harsher as well if you were struggling.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Steve Rixon was pretty good. You nailed a foot in the crease when he was around. Close second was Bronco Djura and I think he would have taken over from Greg Dyer at state level if football had not been around.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Going to add two of my ex Stockton team mates in Jim Hogg and Tim Caban. Tim was great with the ball and Hoggy hated giving runs away as well. Both talented bats and like me hated to lose but always payed it hard and fair. Throw in Gary Bensley from Randwick who was the benchmark for all-rounders when I started.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
This is a hard one. I never stayed at a club long enough to really experience too many captains before I started doing it myself. You always remember your first senior team captain and mine was the Bega captain, Bill Smith. I can probably thank him for where I got to in cricket because he was such a calm man who had a wealth of experience. Learnt a lot from him about how the game should be played.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Played with a guy at Chester-Le-Street in the North East of England called Dave Greener. Dave was a bit of an amateur comedian who I think now operates on the after dinner speaking circuit in the UK. Always had a joke to tell and kept the mood in the dressing room light.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
This would have to be the result of a ball bowled in a district match age match a lot of years ago. Think it was under 21's and a Goulburn / Far South Coast team were playing an ACT team in Canberra. Leg spinner bowling for us yorked a batsman as he came down the wicket but the batsman hit the pitch when playing the shot and the result was the blade of the bat sailing down the wicket to almost take out the umpire. The batsman was therefore left several feet out of his crease holding a handle only. Realising where he was he quickly turned and try to make his ground by reaching out with, yes you guessed it, the handle which was several feet too short to do the job. He need not have worried because our keeper missed the ball and byes resulted so there was the batsmen running up and down with a handle only. I was in slips and on the ground laughing by this time.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
I think it was the second duck in the match for NSW Country against NSW at the SCG. I seemed to be the only one not to score something.
Who was your childhood hero?
Greg Chappell would have to be the player I admired the most when I started to play team cricket. Never seemed to be in trouble and a very stylish player.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Being a golf tragic I would have to say Louis Oosthuizen. Could watch him swing a golf club all day. A round with him would be special.
Craig Lowndes would be second and hopefully he would take me for a spin in a V8 supercar and scare the crap out of me.
I am going to go for the Scottish darts player and World Champ, Gary Anderson. Love to play darts and I would pick his brain on how to score 60 in total.
Louis Oosthuizen
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
David Lloyd is good to listen to. Great accent and a sense of humour at all times.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
For me it was more the wicket than the ground but Lynn Oval ticked both boxes. Petersham Oval is up there as well, again due to wicket and setting.
Was there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Not really – any team that did not have express bowlers or test spinners would do for me.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Been so many over the years but I think it would have to be my first Australian Country championship at Canberra. Started with a duck and followed up with a couple of tons to get selected for the Australian Country team to play Sri Lanka. The selection topped off a season to remember and as I recall a young Michael Bevan was in that Australian team as well.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
We played a Saturday – Sunday semi final in 2nd grade on the Gold Coast where we bowled first and kept them to a gettable score. Late afternoon storm after stumps on the first day saturated the outfield and when I turned up on Sunday some of our boys were trying to clear a huge puddle at one end, where a blocked drain was, with a pump. Absolutely no help from the home team all day so we spent hours getting it cleared. Talked the umpire into playing and we knocked the runs off in the last over so it was the sweetest win.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Peter Parr, Mark Curry and Brian Riley. Prawns and I would sit back and listen to the other two tell stories and bag everyone we ever knew. It would not be a dull affair.
What are your best memories of playing for Stockton & Northern Districts?
Few of those. Winning the Club Championship in my first year was pretty special and it was a shame we could not get the First Grade title as well. Remember a game we won outright at Lynn Oval when Robbie Main took a hat trick. They were all bowled and he hit the off stump each time. It came down to a close finish and I was in at the end when I happened to look up at the Bowls club and it was standing room only at the window. Marco hit the winning runs and I think I heard them cheer through the glass. Seem to recall falling asleep at the table in the bowls club with a few Bourbon and cokes in front of me that night. Pretty sure Robbo was pinching one when I briefly came to.
The club song ALWAYS brings a smile and I was in awe when I first heard it sung. Believe Peter Parr was the lead singer that day.
What are your hobbies?
Golf is really it for me these days. Do enjoy a bit of gardening as well.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
It was when I was in first grade for Petersham and was struggling to carry on with starts. I was somewhat overweight and Graeme Hughes told me that to concentrate longer I needed to get fitter. Took it on board and scores started to come. Have to say that aerobics in the 80's was a fantastic way to spend an hour getting fit. Female bodies in lycra was ample motivation to go back.
What is your occupation?
I work for a law firm in Brisbane as a Senior Consultant in litigation support. We do project and document management for lawyers working on cases.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Not at the moment as work does not leave me much time for anything apart from golf. Maybe when I retire in a few years’ time in can get back into some local cricket coaching.
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Cricket needs to go back into the school curriculum because it’s a shame a national sport is not nurtured at that level. If you are going to attract players they will get the bug at that age.
Regional coaching for all players was always something I used to look forward to. Hope it still goes on and if not it should because cricket is losing some keys skills such as swinging the ball and being able to bat on seaming wickets. You have to teach that early and often. Todays flat tracks and big bats make it too easy for batsmen and bowlers don't seem to be getting the skills they need to combat it.
Name your best team that you played with (with a short reason why you chose them)?
Probably going to be a bit Petersham heavy but it is what it is.
1. Geoff Wright (Petersham) - best player of pace bowling I have seen
2. Neale Anderson (Petersham) – sound technique and valued his wicket enormously
3. Graeme Hughes (Petersham) – hit the ball hard and a good cricket brain. You never backed up when Heaps was playing spin because you could die.
4. Mark Curry (Charlestown) – in full flow was unstoppable and a useful spinner
5. Grant Thomson (Palm Beach Currumbin) – head and shoulders above most in the comp
6. Brian Riley (Petersham) – great cover fielder and could be a game changer with the bat. Undisputed king of the on field verbal.
7. Bronco Djura (Petersham) – put him in the keepers spot but can bat anywhere
8. Ian Turner (Strathmore) – my spinner because I swear he was psychic the way he just new a batsman was coming at him. Stranded them all down the wicket.
9. Brett Crighton – (Palm Beach Currumbin) – genuine pace, just needed a mean streak on the park.
10. John Sullivan (Petersham) – always gave 150% every ball.
11. Dave Chardon (Petersham) – had it all but sadly never saw him at his fastest. Could make a ball talk.
