About Me
John Saint
Current Rating: 5 / 5
Cricket Coach
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
0404616678
Played first class cricket for Tasmania and Premier Cricket in Tasmania and NSW
Head Coach UTS North Sydney Cricket Club
Head Coach UTS North Sydney Cricket Club
Favourite players: Alan Border Dennis Lillee Richard Hadlee Shane Warne
Favourite grounds: SCG , Bellerive Oval. Petersham Oval. North Sydney Oval.
All-time cricket hero: Alan Border and Dennis Lillee.
Favourite bat: Alan Border
Most memorable moment in cricket:
Debut for Tas v W.A at the WACCA
What’s the best cricket advice you’ve ever received:
Listen to everything!
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My Activity
answered
Q: Who played the best innings you've seen in a game you played?
A: 1.Ricky Ponting's 99 at Devonport Oval Tas v Sri Lanka 1995. Charminda Vaas was impossible to play against his line and length and witnessed class batting against quality spin bowling in Muralitharan.
I remember every run was hard to get as overnight rain lushed up the Kikuyu grass in the outfield and it was a sticky wicket. Think only 3 boundaries were hit.
A magnificent innings to witness 1st hand.
2. Geoff Lovell 130 Syd Uni. v Fairfield absolutely middle everything. Back foot drives through covers was 1st class.
3. Todd Pinnington 180 ish n.o. Nth Hobart v Lindisfarne.Carried his bat right through gutsy and determined.
I remember every run was hard to get as overnight rain lushed up the Kikuyu grass in the outfield and it was a sticky wicket. Think only 3 boundaries were hit.
A magnificent innings to witness 1st hand.
2. Geoff Lovell 130 Syd Uni. v Fairfield absolutely middle everything. Back foot drives through covers was 1st class.
3. Todd Pinnington 180 ish n.o. Nth Hobart v Lindisfarne.Carried his bat right through gutsy and determined.
answered
Q: Who is the fastest bowler you’ve ever faced in a game of cricket?
A: Fun and games here trying to work out who was what, but the list I came up with is based on 2 levels I feel.
Rapid and deceptively quick.
Rapid.
1- Wasim Akram.
2- Jason Gillespie.
3- Chris Killen.
4- Gerard Denton.
5- Brad Williams.
Deceptively Quick.
1- Josh Marquet / Andrew Jones
2- Shane George.
3- Andy Bichel
4- Anthony Stewart.
5- Mark Harrity
Special mentions and good fortune must go out to Brett Lee ( Never faced him)
Brad McNamara who could rapidly change up and one from way back Dave Chardon who I remember watching him from side on before I went into bat, couldn't see it and wasn't a good move.
Rapid and deceptively quick.
Rapid.
1- Wasim Akram.
2- Jason Gillespie.
3- Chris Killen.
4- Gerard Denton.
5- Brad Williams.
Deceptively Quick.
1- Josh Marquet / Andrew Jones
2- Shane George.
3- Andy Bichel
4- Anthony Stewart.
5- Mark Harrity
Special mentions and good fortune must go out to Brett Lee ( Never faced him)
Brad McNamara who could rapidly change up and one from way back Dave Chardon who I remember watching him from side on before I went into bat, couldn't see it and wasn't a good move.
question
Q: My best grade team – John Saint 1986 to 1998
“The People you meet, the players you play with and life time friendships forged”. That’s Gold!
I started my grade cricket career in 1986 with Penrith in the Sydney Grade competition before moving to Sydney University. I moved to Tasmania and played for North Hobart Cricket Club
My team consists of the best who I had the pleasure in playing this great game with at grade level and witness absolute brilliance consistently.
In Batting Order:
1. Todd Pinnington North Hobart CC and wicket keeper
“The People you meet, the players you play with and life time friendships forged”. That’s Gold!
I started my grade cricket career in 1986 with Penrith in the Sydney Grade competition before moving to Sydney University. I moved to Tasmania and played for North Hobart Cricket Club
My team consists of the best who I had the pleasure in playing this great game with at grade level and witness absolute brilliance consistently.
In Batting Order:
1. Todd Pinnington North Hobart CC and wicket keeper
https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/771/john-saint/blog/904/my-best-grade-team-ndash-john-saint-1986-to-1998
answered
Q: NSW Under 16 cricket team 1984-85 - Australian Under 16 National Championships in Canberra
Back Row - Mark Pope (Coach), Paul Calvert, Ben Connell, Justin Quint, John Saint, Graeme Errington (Manager)
Middle Row - Wayne Holdsworth, Craig Bayldon, Dean Waugh, Chris Fox, Ross Saddler
Front Row - Richard Bennison, Garry Lovett, Rodney Davison, Trent Harvey, Dean Lough
Back Row - Mark Pope (Coach), Paul Calvert, Ben Connell, Justin Quint, John Saint, Graeme Errington (Manager)
Middle Row - Wayne Holdsworth, Craig Bayldon, Dean Waugh, Chris Fox, Ross Saddler
Front Row - Richard Bennison, Garry Lovett, Rodney Davison, Trent Harvey, Dean Lough
https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/771/john-saint/blog/1776/nsw-under-16-cricket-team-1984-85
A: What a tour!
answered
Q: The Bill O’Reilly Medal is awarded to the best first grade player of the NSW Premier Cricket season.
In the 57 seasons since Bob Simpson won the inaugural Bill O’Reilly for the 1967-68 season, which premier cricket club has had the most players who have won the prestigious Bill O’Reilly Medal?
Hint – there are 3 clubs with the same number of Bill O’Reilly Medalists
In the 57 seasons since Bob Simpson won the inaugural Bill O’Reilly for the 1967-68 season, which premier cricket club has had the most players who have won the prestigious Bill O’Reilly Medal?
Hint – there are 3 clubs with the same number of Bill O’Reilly Medalists
A: I'm going out on a limb here but Syd Uni had..John Grimble...John Saint x2 ...Greg Mail x2 or 3...Ian Moran I think won one...Hayden Kerr and I may have missed one Stanton ..? So there's 7 or 8
answered
Q: Who is the one player from Grade Cricket in Tasmania who played between 1980 and 2000 you’d want as the first player selected if you had the opportunity to start your own Tasmania Premier Cricket first grade cricket team?
A: Difficult choice for the reason that only 5 years I experienced.
1 - Todd Pinnington - Punishing oppening bat with great movement behind the stumps.
2 - Myles Harry - Had it all. Slow talking mediums, determined batter and the James Bond looks with Brains.
3 - Sean Clingleffer. - Very consistent batter and handy keeper.
4 - Gerard Denton - The quickest going around in Aust. in the Mid 90s.
5 - Brian Davison - I'm led to believe this man had a great cricket brain and stat's to prove he was genuin in his day.
1 - Todd Pinnington - Punishing oppening bat with great movement behind the stumps.
2 - Myles Harry - Had it all. Slow talking mediums, determined batter and the James Bond looks with Brains.
3 - Sean Clingleffer. - Very consistent batter and handy keeper.
4 - Gerard Denton - The quickest going around in Aust. in the Mid 90s.
5 - Brian Davison - I'm led to believe this man had a great cricket brain and stat's to prove he was genuin in his day.
answered
Q: Who is the one player from Sydney Grade Cricket who played between 1980 and 2000 you’d want as the first player selected if you had the opportunity to start your own NSW Premier first grade cricket team?
A: #1 Greg Mail .But only just.
#2 Brad McNamara.
#2 Brad McNamara.
question
Q: NSW Under 16 cricket team 1984-85 - Australian Under 16 National Championships in Canberra
Back Row - Mark Pope (Coach), Paul Calvert, Ben Connell, Justin Quint, John Saint, Graeme Errington (Manager)
Middle Row - Wayne Holdsworth, Craig Bayldon, Dean Waugh, Chris Fox, Ross Saddler
Front Row - Richard Bennison, Garry Lovett, Rodney Davison, Trent Harvey, Dean Lough
Back Row - Mark Pope (Coach), Paul Calvert, Ben Connell, Justin Quint, John Saint, Graeme Errington (Manager)
Middle Row - Wayne Holdsworth, Craig Bayldon, Dean Waugh, Chris Fox, Ross Saddler
Front Row - Richard Bennison, Garry Lovett, Rodney Davison, Trent Harvey, Dean Lough
https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/771/john-saint/blog/1776/nsw-under-16-cricket-team-1984-85
blog post
Back Row - Mark Pope (Coach), Paul Calvert, Ben Connell, Justin Quint, John Saint, Graeme Errington (Manager)Middle Row - Wayne Holdsworth, Craig Bayldon, Dean Waugh, Chris Fox, Ross Saddler ...
answered
Q: Who was the batter Australian fast bowler Craig McDermott dismissed to take his first wicket in Test Cricket?
A: Full toss Richie Richardson
answered
Q: My son is 14 and wants to be a young fast bowler. He seems to bowl quicker than most his age but has difficulty with his run up.
I don’t know much about cricket, but he accelerates quickly at the start of his run up, and I think he starts to lose momentum as he gets into his bowling action.
Can I ask for some advice on how long his run up should be and where in his run up should he be accelerating?
I don’t know much about cricket, but he accelerates quickly at the start of his run up, and I think he starts to lose momentum as he gets into his bowling action.
Can I ask for some advice on how long his run up should be and where in his run up should he be accelerating?
A: Hi Will,
Its always a difficult topic to discuss because of its complexities therefor I suggest an approach that's easy to understand.
The bowling run-up should be along the lines of building momentum.
Eg ( Brett Lee ). We are going to work backwards and perhaps better in the nets so get to training 1st. You may need some markers and a tape measure . Ask him to start his run up at the bowling crease bowling away from the nets building momentum along the way he should be well balanced and arms and legs are all moving towards the target and express to him when it feels the right moment to get into the delivery stride and bowl the ball.
Have him repeat and repeat until he gets some consistency then measure his run up.
Remember practice practice and practice and a good run up is an economical one.
Goodluck.
John Saint
Its always a difficult topic to discuss because of its complexities therefor I suggest an approach that's easy to understand.
The bowling run-up should be along the lines of building momentum.
Eg ( Brett Lee ). We are going to work backwards and perhaps better in the nets so get to training 1st. You may need some markers and a tape measure . Ask him to start his run up at the bowling crease bowling away from the nets building momentum along the way he should be well balanced and arms and legs are all moving towards the target and express to him when it feels the right moment to get into the delivery stride and bowl the ball.
Have him repeat and repeat until he gets some consistency then measure his run up.
Remember practice practice and practice and a good run up is an economical one.
Goodluck.
John Saint
answered
Q: What’s your Australian Test team for the 4th Ashes test at Old Trafford.
Here’s mine
Khawaja
Labuschagne
Smith
Head
Marsh
Green
Carey
Neser
Cummins
Starc
Murphy
Warner has been a wonderful player, but his time has come. He has been lucky that he is playing in an era where there are no Australian batsmen outside the top 6 who average 40 in first class cricket.
I would consider opening with Green as I’m conscious Justin Langer started opening in similar circumstances and other players who were pushed up the order through necessity and opportunity include David Boon, Shane Watson, Simon Katich and Usman Khawaja. I would keep Head and Marsh in the middle order.
I would hope Green doesn’t listen to his captain and coach if they tell him to bowl 6 short balls an over.
Hazelwood is unlucky but Neser’s form is irresistible.
I think Murphy is a great prospect but if he is not effective at Old Trafford I would consider drafting in Maxwell for The Oval.
What’s your team?
Here’s mine
Khawaja
Labuschagne
Smith
Head
Marsh
Green
Carey
Neser
Cummins
Starc
Murphy
Warner has been a wonderful player, but his time has come. He has been lucky that he is playing in an era where there are no Australian batsmen outside the top 6 who average 40 in first class cricket.
I would consider opening with Green as I’m conscious Justin Langer started opening in similar circumstances and other players who were pushed up the order through necessity and opportunity include David Boon, Shane Watson, Simon Katich and Usman Khawaja. I would keep Head and Marsh in the middle order.
I would hope Green doesn’t listen to his captain and coach if they tell him to bowl 6 short balls an over.
Hazelwood is unlucky but Neser’s form is irresistible.
I think Murphy is a great prospect but if he is not effective at Old Trafford I would consider drafting in Maxwell for The Oval.
What’s your team?
A: Khawaja
Head
Renshaw
Smith
Marsh
Carey
Cummins
Starc
Nesser
Murphy
Hazlewood
Head
Renshaw
Smith
Marsh
Carey
Cummins
Starc
Nesser
Murphy
Hazlewood
answered
Q: I’m 18 and opening the bowling and want to have a big offseason to improve. What do people recommend as the balls I need to work on and perfect?
A: I would say consistency is the key to any form of bowling.
Practice regularly completing 6 out 6 top of off stump. Eg if you get to 3,4 & 5 and miss, start again till 6 in a row is completed. Be hard on yourself.
Yorkers are wicket taking deliveries so same format as above.
Pace off deliveries are crucial in the shorter form. Also play around with different grips.
I would leave it with those 3.
Also use the crease to create different angles, over and around the wicket.
Practice regularly completing 6 out 6 top of off stump. Eg if you get to 3,4 & 5 and miss, start again till 6 in a row is completed. Be hard on yourself.
Yorkers are wicket taking deliveries so same format as above.
Pace off deliveries are crucial in the shorter form. Also play around with different grips.
I would leave it with those 3.
Also use the crease to create different angles, over and around the wicket.
blog post
“The People you meet, the players you play with and life time friendships forged”. That’s Gold!I started my grade cricket career in 1986 with Penrith in the Sydney Grade competition be ...
