Tyrone Weekes - hit through the line

Stockton and Northern Districts Cricket Club | April 11, 2023

Name: Tyrone Weekes

What year were you born? 1970

Can you remember your first game of cricket? My first game of cricket was for Bellbird Primary School. I was only in 4th class and was shitting myself that I wouldn’t make the side

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey? I started out at Bellbird Primary School and made the NSW Primary School team to play in South Australia in the National Carnival. I played my junior cricket in Cessnock and the played NSW Country Under 16s and 17s. I played 1st Grade in the Newcastle competition and also represented the Newcastle representative team as well as going on two tours of England in 1989 and 1991

What clubs did you play for? I played for Cessnock Workers, Cessnock Supporters, Wallsend, Stockton & Northern Districts

What representative cricket did you play, if any?

·      NSW Primary Schools

·      Hunter Valley

·      NSW Country Under 16s and 17s

·      Newcastle Rep Team

·      Newcastle Cavaliers on UK Tours

In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket? It was in 4th grade as a 10 year old for Cessnock Workers Club

If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer? Competitive and like to be involved in the game weather with bat or ball and I hated waiting around to bat

What were your strengths as a player? My Hand/Eye coordination

What was your highest score in senior cricket? 186

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket? Not sure but I can remember getting a few five wicket hauls

Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?

·      Wayne Holdsworth at the schoolboys carnival in Bathurst has our team 7 for 15 on a wet track. He bowled me a bouncer first ball and I top edged it for six. There were stumps everywhere next ball

·      Peter March was a very respected quick who could move the ball

·      Alan Brown – Glad he was on our team

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

·      Robert “Dutchy’ Holland

·      David Gyler from Bellbird

·      Asif Khan – Deadly Accurate for a leggy

Who were the best three batsman you’ve played with or against?

·      Keith Arthurton (West Indies)

·      James Hogg

·      Rod Mace

Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against? Probably an innings by John Jabour in Cessnock at East End. WOW! He hit a massive century in no time at all and lost a few balls along the way. It’s an innings that is still talked about today.

Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to? The last three games of the 1989 Newcastle Cavaliers UK tour against Middlesex

Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against? Matthew Kelly who was the NSW Country keeper when I played in Under 16s/17s. Lives in Singleton. Magic Hands and made keeping look easy.

Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played? My dad, He taught me everything, but more competitive than any man I have come across in all my career (possibly too competitive). Also Keith Arthurton. He played some strokes when we played him at St Helens that I had never seen before or since. Impressive.

Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with? Ray McCord. He bought me trough the lower grades as a youngster. Nothing phased him as a captain. Good thinker who was a bit old school. I can remember gathering at his place on a 40 degree day to travel to Mulbring where he said we’ll just stay in the air con as long as we can, drink plenty of water, its going to be a bit warm today.

Who has been your funniest team mate? Rob Main was a character and Marty Pugh

Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today? I recall playing Bellbird & Rob Flanagan was caught my Michael Gates at first slip on about 70. As he walked past Mick on his way off Mick said “first one you have hit on the off side all day”. It must have ticked Flanno off, it’s the furthest I have even seen a bat thrown.

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket? I don’t recall but someone else might

Who was your childhood hero? Dennis Lillee

Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet? Dennis Lillee, Ronaldo and Serena Williams

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator? Richie Benaud

What was your favourite ground to play at? Baddely No2 at Cessnock. Lots of memories including a broken jaw

Was there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against? I always looked forward to playing against Dutchy and Paul Wilson at Southern Lakes

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket? Have had a few but 3 centuries in a 10 over competition will never be forgotten

What’s the best win you’ve been involved with? The Grand Final win in 2000/01 with Cessnock Supporters against Bellbird with a group a knockabout mates

Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque? Rod Mace, Alan Brown and Mick Gates

What are your best memories of playing for Stockton & Northern Districts? The Stockton Bowling Club

What are your hobbies? Grandkids, Drinking Beer, Old Holdens and Fishing

What’s the best advice you’ve received? Respect your elders, but cricket wise was “hit through the line” from James Hogg

What is your occupation? Underground Coal Mine Deputy

Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity? Not so much these days. I like to have the odd game but working weekends makes it hard. I coached both my boys teams through juniors and also played with and against them. Luke is now 29 and Sam is 21.

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? Look after the juniors they are the future. Have more coaching clinics with the kids heros present. Also ban mobile phones and playstations.

Name your best team that you played with?

The Cessnock Colts winning team back in the day. Every one of the guys had something special and were all very competitive. I can recall all of the names as its been a long time but the team included Geoff Smith, David Smith, Phil Apthorpe, Jason Allen, Scott Thompson Mark Hollis, Greg King.