The Australian Police Cricket United Kingdom Tour 1989

Brian Breakspear | June 01, 2023

In December 1988, The Australian Police Cricket Championship was played at the grounds of the Sydney University. This was the Bi-Centennial of Australia.

Police Cricket Association were invited from all States and Territories of Australia. Unfortunately, not all States and Territories accepted the invitation to participate. The competing Teams came Queensland, N.S.W., Victoria, ACT and South Australia. NSW nominated a second XI to balance the draw.

The Championship was convincingly won by NSW.

At the Championship Dinner, an Australian Merit Team was announced. The NSW President announced that a proposed Australian Police Cricket Tour of the United Kingdom would be undertaken in July 1989

Back Row – left to right

Warren Ladgrove (VICTORIA) Team 2nd wicket keeper, L/H No. 7 bat. Played for Victoria Police Cricket Assn., Phahran District DCC, Melbourne.

Brian Breakspear  (NSW) Allrounder - L/H bat very handy No. 6 bat and 1st/2nd change L/Arm medium swing bowler. Played for Australian Army, Rep. as Australian Veterans Cricketer (England-Wales 2010), NSW Police Cricket Association, Yaralla CC - 1891, & City & Suburban Cricket Association Representative XI, Sydney.

Neil Tuckerman, (NSW) R/H opening bat, NSW Police Cricket Association,1st Grade Manly District Cricket Club, Sydney.

Graham Price, (NSW) L/H Opening bat/ No. 3 bat, NSW Police Cricket Association, 1st Grade Hawkesbury District Cricket Club, Sydney.

Peter McLay, (NSW) L/Arm Spin Bowler, lower order batsman. NSW Police Cricket Association, 1st Grade Western Suburbs District Cricket Club, Sydney - Selected into the 1989 NSW Sheffield Shield Squad.

Ken Otte (QLD) L/Arm medium swing bowler, No.8 order batsman, Queensland Police Cricket Association, 1st Grade Bundaberg District Cricket Club. Rep. Umpire in the Australian Country Cricket C’ships.

Matt Appleton (NSW) R/Arm Opening medium fast bowler, NSW Police Cricket Association, 1st Grade opening bowler for Petersham District Cricket Club. 

John Bettel (NSW) R/Arm Opening bowler. NSW Police Cricket Association. 1st Grade for Botany Cricket Club, Sydney.

 

Front Row – left to right

Phil Weatherall (NSW) R/H bat, No. 4 R/Arm medium fast bowler - NSW Police Cricket Association. 1st Grade Sutherland District Cricket Club, Sydney. Australian U/19 Captain. A very capable and correct batsman who can post a century with ease. 

John O'Connor (VICTORIA) Allrounder, R/Arm seam bowler and No. 5 bat. Victoria Police Cricket Association. 1st Grade Berwick District Cricket Association. Tour Team V/Captain.

Neil Armstrong (QLD) Tour Team Assistant Manager. Team Selector. Queensland Police Cricket Association.

Terry Gardiner (NSW) Tour Team Manager and Chairman of Selectors.

Mick Polzin (QLD) R/Arm medium fast Opening Bowler - Team Captain. Queensland Police Cricket Association. 1st Grade, Brisbane District Cricket Association. Queensland Sheffield Shield XI 1990-91 Bats at No. 9 a big striker of the ball. Took 5 wickets for Queensland v. West Indies. A very sharp bowler.

David Jacobi (VICTORIA) - R/H high order batsman - Victoria Police Cricket Association. 1st Grade in Melbourne District Cricket, Melbourne. A totally correct batsman who can score a century easily.

Graeme Hedges (QLD) R/H Opening Bat. Queensland Police Cricket Association. Australian U/19 Cricketer. A steady opening bat who hits the ball hard.

Alan Fincher (VICTORIA) R/H high order batsman. Victoria Police Cricket Association. 1st Grade Sub-District Cricket Association, Melbourne.

Evan Atkins (NSW) R/H middle order handy batsman. 1st XI wicketkeeper. NSW Police Cricket Association. 1st/2nd Grade Sutherland District Grade Cricket Club, Sydney. An extremely sharp wicketkeeper who can take the ball up close to the wicket off medium/fast bowlers.

Am extremely talented Cricket Team to have been a member of, but also, have been privilege to have represented with. My NSW Police Service Register has acknowledge and recorded that I have officially represented Australia in Sport which is not easy to be acknowledge for without proof of evidence.

Our Tour Patron was the Right Honourable R J HAWKE, Prime Minister of Australia. Sir Donald Bradman AC wrote the Forward for our Tour Book. Sir Donald wrote of his brief but helpful encounter with a member of the Constabulary in Bowral, N.S.W.

 

The team had an official Reception at Australia House, host by the Honourable Doug McCelland, Australia High Commissioner. A memorable Reception that was from 5.00m to 6.30pm. However, the atmosphere was exceptional and so it was extended to 8.00pm. Present was my good mate Keith Miller MBE who really opened the doors up for me and the team, Sir Alec Bedser, Eric Bedser, Colin Ingleby-MacKenzie, President of the England Test & County Cricket Board, Mrs. McCelland as well our host, as well as the Australian States Agent-Generals. I suspect that Bob Hawke and Keith got together and told the High Commissioner to have the team at an official Reception. A most memorable day on a great tour with exceptional and esteem company. My invitation is framed with a photo of the forementioned names that hangs in my study. Later, I presented a frame photo copy to Keith M. My Australian Tour blazer hangs protected with my NSW Police Cricket Assn. blazer. These I will hand down to my son.

 

1989 Tour Result: 14 wins from 15 matches all played.

The tour match lost was against Knoll and Dorridge League XI at Birmingham. I happen to be playing as a guest player for Knoll & Dorridge in the match

Last over – The bowler was John O’Çonnor (Victoria)

Needing 9 runs to win off the last over, I score seven (7) of them. The No. 9 bat was bowled on the 4th ball after lofty swing. The No. 10 joined me at the crease. I told him don't hang the bat out for a touch try and hit it - he agreed. The 5th ball was bowled and he swung and missed and I had to scramble back to my crease after being half down the pitch to get the single, only to turn around and make my ground. The appeal was given not out by Umpire. About 100 spectators situated in and around the Clubhouse, as well as being seated around the ground watching the match. Last ball – I told the batsman this is your moment - we run irrespective - right. The ball is delivered, the No. 10 steps back and with a baseball slog struck the ball back wide the umpire and split the field for 4 runs. Needless to say, I was not immediately popular with the Aust. Police XI.