My Best Grade team - Rod Bower 1977 to 1998
Rod Bower | August 14, 2023
I was fortunate to have played for a long time and played with many fine cricketers. All different but excellent players in their own right.
Here's my best 11 players that I played with in my time playing for Bankstown, Penrith and Balmain from 1977 to 1998.
In batting order.
1. Ian Davis – Penrith
A fine stoke player, superb timer of the ball.
2. Steve Small – Bankstown and Penrith
A fine attacking opening batsman particularly savage through cover and mid-off and also had a very good cut shot. Jack had the ability to lift himself in the big moments, tough and a great competitor.
3. Steven Barry Smith – Bankstown
Stan had great powers of concentration and could bat for long periods of time. Scored three double tons in one year, one of those for NSW colts at the Gabba. Great technique and superb timing.
4. Mark Waugh - Bankstown
The most elegant player I’ve seen. Mark picked up the ball very early, had so much time to play shots all around the wicket. Wonderful hands.
5. Trevor Bayliss – Penrith and Captain
Played a lot of cricket with TB. Saw some wonderful digs but none better than an unbeaten 205 at Howell. He could play shots all around round the ground and was a great timer of the ball. An excellent skipper who read the game well and was cool under pressure.
6. Steve Waugh - Bankstown
Great player. Steve was a little unorthodox with some shots and a very tough competitor who took no prisoners. Steve was able to be there at the end so many times ensuring big totals.
7. Ken Hall – Penrith
Emu was an exceptional all-rounder and bowled left arm orthodox with great control. More than capable middle order batsman and a great fielder particularly off his own bowling. No better competitor than Ken and could also be very entertaining when things were not going his way.
8. Greg Dyer – Balmain and Wicket Keeper
Superb hands whether it be to the quicks or the spinners. GD was a very capable batsman as well.
9. Andrew Jones – Balmain
Milton was a fine bowler with good control and pace and a very good bouncer. Not short of a word either.
10. Graeme Pitty – Penrith
A wonderful left arm quick could swing the ball both ways and also had the ability to hit the seam regularly.
11. Len Pascoe - Bankstown
Excellent fast bowler who had good control and at grade level great pace. Len had a big heart and would bust his arse at the crease even at 5.30 in the afternoon to help his side bowl the opposition out. Len was never short of a chat either, letting the batsman know exactly what he thought of them.
Notable omissions, Les Andrews, Paul Talbot and Greg Hayne.