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Q: Wright College First XI Cricket team 1978 – University of New England
Back Row – Paul Perfrement, Bruce Hayes, Lindsay Paul, Barry O’Loughlin, Peter Baillie, Geoff Newling, Mike O’Reilly
Front Row – John O’Shea, John McFayden, Barry Everingham, John Burge, Bruce Richards, Bruce Henderson
Back Row – Paul Perfrement, Bruce Hayes, Lindsay Paul, Barry O’Loughlin, Peter Baillie, Geoff Newling, Mike O’Reilly
Front Row – John O’Shea, John McFayden, Barry Everingham, John Burge, Bruce Richards, Bruce Henderson
question
Q: A game of backyard cricket is truly a Peter Pan moment for many of my generation. It’s where many millions of boys and girls first found their love of the game and it’s a memory that never fades. Backyard cricket matters.
It doesn’t matter if your backyard was in the suburbs of Sydney, London or Cape Town, the bush towns of Australia, the beaches of the Caribbean or the grass less school yards of India. It has and should always be lauded as where one’s love odour game can really begin.
Jasprit Bumrah is arguably one of the top five bowlers in the world and his action is that of a backyard cricketer or, as reported, a young kid growing up without the trappings of a pathway and bowling in the burbs of India between two buildings a metre apart.
I’m no different and at this time of year, I’d be guessing many cricket tragics would either be rolling their arm over in the backyard or at least recalling days of yore, when they could.
It doesn’t matter if your backyard was in the suburbs of Sydney, London or Cape Town, the bush towns of Australia, the beaches of the Caribbean or the grass less school yards of India. It has and should always be lauded as where one’s love odour game can really begin.
Jasprit Bumrah is arguably one of the top five bowlers in the world and his action is that of a backyard cricketer or, as reported, a young kid growing up without the trappings of a pathway and bowling in the burbs of India between two buildings a metre apart.
I’m no different and at this time of year, I’d be guessing many cricket tragics would either be rolling their arm over in the backyard or at least recalling days of yore, when they could.
https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/75/barry-everingham/blog/1503/backyard-cricket-at-mims-my-peter-pan-moment
blog post
A game of backyard cricket is truly a Peter Pan moment for many of my generation. It’s where many millions of boys and girls first found th ...
question
Q: Wright College First XI Cricket team 1977 – University of New England
Back Row – Mark Holcombe, Peter Perfrement, Peter Baillee, Barry O’Loughlin, Gary Rudder, Joe Matthews, Dave Parnell
Front Row – Bruce Richards, Peter Burge, Barry Everingham, John McFadyen, Sam Howard
Back Row – Mark Holcombe, Peter Perfrement, Peter Baillee, Barry O’Loughlin, Gary Rudder, Joe Matthews, Dave Parnell
Front Row – Bruce Richards, Peter Burge, Barry Everingham, John McFadyen, Sam Howard
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Q: One of the key ingredients in the art of captaincy is to ask questions and challenge the opposing captain and team into doing things they otherwise wouldn’t normally do.
The Ashes series between Australia and England is two days into the 4th test, and I’ve been fascinated by how Ben Stokes, as England captain, has got into the minds of Australia.
Forget Bazball, it’s Ben Stokes.
Australia is playing unrecognisable Australian cricket.
The Ashes series between Australia and England is two days into the 4th test, and I’ve been fascinated by how Ben Stokes, as England captain, has got into the minds of Australia.
Forget Bazball, it’s Ben Stokes.
Australia is playing unrecognisable Australian cricket.
https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/32/paul-ryan/blog/1304/ben-stokes-has-australia-playing-unrecognisable-australian-cricket
A: The last two nights have been some of the worst cricket I’ve ever seen from an Australian team. Full credit to the Poms but our tactics and captaincy has been embarrassing. 🫣
question
Q: Coonamble Colts Premiers 1980-81
Back Row - Brian Fulmer, Norman Sheather, Brian Fletcher, Max Rankin, Rodney Byrnes, George McHugh, Greg Colwell,
Front Row - Ross Langsford, Frank Cant (Captain), Shane Horan, Barry Everingham
Back Row - Brian Fulmer, Norman Sheather, Brian Fletcher, Max Rankin, Rodney Byrnes, George McHugh, Greg Colwell,
Front Row - Ross Langsford, Frank Cant (Captain), Shane Horan, Barry Everingham
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Q: Recently, I was asked to present a cricket trophy back in Gilgandra (60km north of Dubbo) in honour and behalf of my dad, Ross ‘Chicka’ Smith. Driving five and a half hours to Gilgandra from Sydney I recalled some amazing moments my father was involved with. Like playing against the Poms for Orana region.
Dad was an opening bowler who swung the ball both ways and deceived many a batsman with his off paced balls and guile. So much so, that at the age of 10 I witnessed Dad taking 10 wickets in an innings.
I was perplexed going to the scorer and seeing his 10 for 29 in the book. I couldn't wait to go home and let mum know after witnessing this mighty feat.
When I told mum, she said, "Oh that's the third time he has done that. Oh, yes he took a 10 for 36 and another 10 for 26." I was staggered.
Three lots of 10 wickets in one innings. The nearest I’ve ever been was 6 for 23.
But Dad's achievements moved a little 10-year-old to play cricket and have that determination to go all the way. Needless to say, I thank Dad for his example and many of the young boys at the time in Gilgandra came up to me and said how much dad inspired them to bowl and bat.
Some of those boys were involved with Gilgandra (a town of only 3000 people) winning the regional championships in NSW in 2023 for the first time.
Role models are hard to find these days, make sure you cherish those moments.
Dad was an opening bowler who swung the ball both ways and deceived many a batsman with his off paced balls and guile. So much so, that at the age of 10 I witnessed Dad taking 10 wickets in an innings.
I was perplexed going to the scorer and seeing his 10 for 29 in the book. I couldn't wait to go home and let mum know after witnessing this mighty feat.
When I told mum, she said, "Oh that's the third time he has done that. Oh, yes he took a 10 for 36 and another 10 for 26." I was staggered.
Three lots of 10 wickets in one innings. The nearest I’ve ever been was 6 for 23.
But Dad's achievements moved a little 10-year-old to play cricket and have that determination to go all the way. Needless to say, I thank Dad for his example and many of the young boys at the time in Gilgandra came up to me and said how much dad inspired them to bowl and bat.
Some of those boys were involved with Gilgandra (a town of only 3000 people) winning the regional championships in NSW in 2023 for the first time.
Role models are hard to find these days, make sure you cherish those moments.
A: Had the immense honour to play with and wicket keep to the legendary Ross Smith for Far West Council vs Lachlan Council, along with other senior Westies I’d watched playing my Dad. It was way back in about 80. Myself and John Farragher, amongst a couple of other younguns mentored by the champion Brian Gainsford were thrilled just to be involved. Don’t recall much other than the gratefulness to be on the park with them! 😳👍👊🏻Darren Smith Cheers, Baz Ev
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Q: Next summer I will be coaching Valley District Cricket Club First Grade in Queensland Premier Cricket (Red Ball only).
It will be great helping talented, keen, and focused young men.
We have a blend of experience and youth backed up by a smart forward-thinking Board.
To help win a Premiership is my goal.
August can’t come quick enough!
It will be great helping talented, keen, and focused young men.
We have a blend of experience and youth backed up by a smart forward-thinking Board.
To help win a Premiership is my goal.
August can’t come quick enough!
A: Onya mate. Best with it all 👍🏏
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Q: I was not good enough to be a first class player but in November 1979 I was fortunate to be chosen as captain of the Australian Universities team to play the England Test team at Adelaide Oval. It was a serious 4 day match as England were due to play Australia in the First Test a week later.
We were very weak “on paper” and I got a call from the Australian Cricket Board that the toss with Mike Brearley should be a “pretend “ toss and that England had to bat first no matter what. I assume they thought we would be dismissed for a very low score if I decided to bat first.
As captain I had a “secret weapon” in leg spinner Geoff Kirkwood. I knew him v well as he came from my club, University of NSW. He was a colourful personality. Kirky was outstanding at drinking, smoking and playing the piano. Whilst he had trouble holding down a first grade spot due to our NSW squad spinners Mark Ray, Paddy Grattan-Smith and Steve Campbell I knew he had the X factor. Yes he had a great top spinner and England were known to be very poor against leggies in that era.
Being aware of these factors I brought Kirkwood onto bowl very early. Our opening bowler Peter Clough had set it up by bowling quickly at Boycott and Brearley and I was confident when Kirky came on. My big decision as captain was to get him to bowl without anyone in the deep on the leg side.
Sure enough with no one in the deep batsmen such as Botham, Gooch and Randall attempted to slog him when he bowled too short. But they could not pick his top spinner….it skidded onto them too quickly and they just mishit his short ones to midwicket or square leg
Kirky finished with 5 wickets off 16 overs and we dismissed England for 179. In response Dirk Wellham batted superbly for us and we took a first innings lead. This was deservedly Kirky’s match and he was the lead story on the back page of every Australian newspaper. Brearley and I batted poorly in this match but I felt I “out captained” him due to my successful tactics with Kirky.
We were very weak “on paper” and I got a call from the Australian Cricket Board that the toss with Mike Brearley should be a “pretend “ toss and that England had to bat first no matter what. I assume they thought we would be dismissed for a very low score if I decided to bat first.
As captain I had a “secret weapon” in leg spinner Geoff Kirkwood. I knew him v well as he came from my club, University of NSW. He was a colourful personality. Kirky was outstanding at drinking, smoking and playing the piano. Whilst he had trouble holding down a first grade spot due to our NSW squad spinners Mark Ray, Paddy Grattan-Smith and Steve Campbell I knew he had the X factor. Yes he had a great top spinner and England were known to be very poor against leggies in that era.
Being aware of these factors I brought Kirkwood onto bowl very early. Our opening bowler Peter Clough had set it up by bowling quickly at Boycott and Brearley and I was confident when Kirky came on. My big decision as captain was to get him to bowl without anyone in the deep on the leg side.
Sure enough with no one in the deep batsmen such as Botham, Gooch and Randall attempted to slog him when he bowled too short. But they could not pick his top spinner….it skidded onto them too quickly and they just mishit his short ones to midwicket or square leg
Kirky finished with 5 wickets off 16 overs and we dismissed England for 179. In response Dirk Wellham batted superbly for us and we took a first innings lead. This was deservedly Kirky’s match and he was the lead story on the back page of every Australian newspaper. Brearley and I batted poorly in this match but I felt I “out captained” him due to my successful tactics with Kirky.
A: Good one indeed Jungle. A slightly different score but a big win in our previous game vs Young England at Newcastle at the start of 79.
I seem to recall you and Jimmy L’Estrange stirring up a young Norman Cowans, whilst Jonathon Agnew smashed a few runs. Funny that amongst those sides there’s still a few who’ve played Vets with or against us.
Pete Fleming, Glen Richardson (still in Aust 60s👍), Pete Tout, Pete Timms (Qld - played him just last week!). And Simon Clements (Eng 60s) who played in our Oxbridge game that same year played us when touring in 2019. The game you couldn’t play. Pretty funny coincidence over 40 years! Hope we get another game against each other soon. Trust your finger is now good! 😳😂
I seem to recall you and Jimmy L’Estrange stirring up a young Norman Cowans, whilst Jonathon Agnew smashed a few runs. Funny that amongst those sides there’s still a few who’ve played Vets with or against us.
Pete Fleming, Glen Richardson (still in Aust 60s👍), Pete Tout, Pete Timms (Qld - played him just last week!). And Simon Clements (Eng 60s) who played in our Oxbridge game that same year played us when touring in 2019. The game you couldn’t play. Pretty funny coincidence over 40 years! Hope we get another game against each other soon. Trust your finger is now good! 😳😂
blog post
Back Row - Brian Fulmer, Norman Sheather, Brian Fletcher, Max Rankin, Rodney Byrnes, George McHugh, Greg Colwell,Front Row - Ross Langsford, Frank Cant (Captain), Shane Horan, Barry Everingh ...
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Q: What is the most surreal moment you've experienced in cricket?
A: Golden Oldies in Barbados 2017. Participating teams lined up to have pics with WI Legends at a promotional evening at a night cricket event involving local kids. Our crew hung around til all had finished but during it, Lady Sobers had become ill. One of our girls with a nursing background helped suet get out and a car took her. Sir G and other legends later spent about an hour and a half with we nobodies, chatting about golf, life, a bit of cricket. Beyond belief ti have had time with them. Our ‘girl in Barbados’, Dareece (cousin of Gordon Greenidge), arranged dinner from a food market as they hadn’t been fed. We told them not to fuss about knives & forks and ho in to the spicey chicken finger food. I had my phone out for more pics and Sir G noticed. “Hey marn. No pics of me using fingers. Lady Sobers would not approve!” Lots of laughter and such a joy. 👍
