Ben Carruthers - play straight
Ballina Bears Cricket Club | May 07, 2023
On Saturday 29 January 2022 Ben Carruthers played his final game for the Bears.
Ben has been an influential figure at the Ballina Bears for 20 years. He started as a junior and worked his way up to the top grade and hasn’t looked back since. He has scored 100’s, taken 5-fa’s, and taken two hat tricks during this time with us. Ben has been one of the most talented players to have ever played at our club.
Ben finished with 5,500 grade runs and 150 plus wickets. He played some match-winning innings one, and took some of the most incredible catches you’ll se.
As a parting gift, Ben was awarded his Life Membership at the Bears for all the work he has done throughout his time. He will also walk away at the leading run scorer in Bears history.
On behalf of everyone affiliated with the club, we wish Ben and his family all the very best moving forward. He has a profound impact on so many people at our club, and these contributions won’t be forgotten.
Ben will be sorely missed, but will always be welcome back at any time.
Let’s find out more about Ben’s journey in the game.
What year you were born?
1984
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I don't remember the actual game but I do remember it was under 12s for the Tuggeranong Valley Vikings in Canberra. As for how I went I would say not well. I never really excelled much as a junior cricketer.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I left the Vikings the following season as my parents made the move from Canberra to Ballina. I signed up for the Ballina Bears in 1997 as a 13 year old and on Saturday just gone I played my final game. 25 years at the Bears. I did venture over to England in 2008 to play for a club in West Sussex for a season.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
I believe my first grade game was in 3rd grade at around 16 years old.
What was the highest grade you played and can you remember what you were feeling when you were selected and how did you perform on debut?
I have played first grade for the Ballina Bears for the past 15 years or so. As a young bloke all I wanted to do was play first grade. I didn't care if I batted 10 and didn't bowl. I just wanted to be there. I looked up to many of the older guys in that side and I felt privileged to be able to share the same field as them.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I would say a top order batsman that bowls a bit.
What were your strengths as a player?
I would say early on in my first grade career my fielding was my number one strength. I had a good arm back then and was playing a lot of indoor cricket as well. However in later years I was more of a batsman and took on an all rounder sort of role bowling regularly as well.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
I made 156 in a second grade game for the Bears before I made the step into first grade. My highest first grade score for the Bears is 136.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
My best figures with the ball were a couple of years ago against Cudgen. 22 overs 6 for 98. I remember bowling into an enormous breeze on that particular day.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Top of the pile would be James Julius from Cudgen. He was and still is a very consistent bowler. Hits the deck hard and I have always struggled against him.
Joe Mennie is up there as well. Whilst in England I played against him a few times and he was another that did a bit with the ball with both swing and seam.
Third would be Al Nowlan, He has played for Casino for 30 years plus at the top level and still to this day has the knack of getting the ball to do a bit of the wicket ,even if he has lost many yards of pace
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Anthony Kershler, ex- NSW left arm spinner and easy to see why. Bowls with impeccable line and length and extremely tough to get away.
Steve Robb- crafty left armer from the red soilers. Another experienced campaigner that I have faced ever since starting first grade.
Anthony Kershler
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Caleb Ziebell. Absolute freak from Cudgen. Hits the ball harder then anyone I have played against yet plays every ball on its merits. Seems to get a ton every time he bats. Should be playing for Queensland.
Sam Irvine. Fortunately I wasn’t on the receiving end of any massive knocks from Sammy but the time he was in the middle against us he seemed to have class and time.
Craig Wilson from Cudgen was another batsman that I have played against many times and every time he scored runs. Not the most athletic guy going around but sound technique and patience.
Caleb Ziebell
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Tough question. A couple spring to mind. Justin Moore played an incredible knock of 180 odd against Murwillumbah some few years back where everything was coming out of the middle and clearing the ropes.
I think the best innings I have witnessed would be from Sammy Adams in the 2014 grand final. We were in some bother chasing a decent total until Sam came in and made an unbeaten hundred to get us home.
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
As mentioned above James Julius has always been a bowler I have found tough to face, especially up at the Cudgen ground where the pitch falls away on one side. Bit like McGrath at Lords, pitches the ball and takes it away from you all day.
James Julius
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
I think when I first started in first grade I felt very much overwhelmed. Like I shouldn’t be in that team. The team was very close knit though and it didn’t take long for those feelings to change.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I would say Sam Burdock, (don't let him know it though) played with us for a few seasons and was a classy gloveman.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
In terms of competitive spirit and playing for your team Reece Ryan is the man I want in the trenches. Always keeping the team up in the field and never give up attitude.
Skills wise, I would say Sammy Adams, hard hitting batsman that opened the bowling for many years in first grade. Would also come on and bowl leg spin, or off spin later in the innings. (Plus took 2 leg side stumping’s while keeping in my first hat trick!!)
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Shane Jacobs. He was first grade captain when I first started in the side and he had a bit of an aura about him. The game always felt winnable with him at the helm. Extremely good bowler and hard man on the field. Still a great mate off it.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Sammy Adams without a doubt. We have played together since the beginning and the banter was extreme. Maybe not socially accepted but it was hilarious. Nobody was safe and I probably copped the most.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Not sure if it is banter but there are 3 of us in the first grade team that have taken hat tricks over the years. One of them was a guy that never bowls (and shouldn't bowl) and took his wickets in a pre-season game. We are constantly reminding everyone else off the fact that it's an exclusive club.
Who was your childhood hero?
Mark Waugh. Made cricket look easy. Elegance personified.
Mark Waugh
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Mark Waugh for obvious reasons.
Robert Heathcote would love to chat about his warhorse buffering
Allan Langer- I’m a big Broncos fan and loved Alf when he was playing, plus he looks like a bit of lad out on the drink.
Allan Langer
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Kerry O’Keeffe. Very funny man with an infectious laugh. Can't stand the Channel Seven team. Bring back Ritchie and Bill!!
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Arundel Castle cricket ground. Beautiful ground situated in the castle grounds in the UK. The other is obviously Fripp Oval in Ballina. Nothing like playing a home game plus it is a lovely ground to play and watch cricket
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
The Tintenbar fixture each year was the one I circled in the calendar. We had a big rivalry with them for many years when I was younger. In recent years we have become pretty chummy with them now. Every year we play for the Dave Dawson Shield in memory of a past player for both clubs whom passed away from cancer.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
The 2008 grand final. Not even a close contest.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
The 2008 grand final. Without a doubt. One of the best days of my life. To win a grand final with 11 of your best mates has to be one of the best feelings you can have on a cricket field. Still great friends to this day. The win was made sweeter as we lost a player for the second day of the game to heart surgery, so it was great to win it for him.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Sam Adams, Ravi Singh and Shane Jacobs (hard to pick just 3)
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Play straight. Don't cut in the first 5 overs! (not that I followed it often)
What is your occupation?
Limitless Fencing and installations
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity
I am still playing cricket. Have recently hung up the boots at the Ballina Bears as I am moving north to the warmer weather of the Sunshine Coast. I am looking forward to playing again when I get up there and will be on the hunt for a club!
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?
I think the focus needs to be placed on the juniors and the formats of the games need to be looked at. Nowadays parents are very time poor with added responsibilities and pressures with work, I think we need to shorten the games and maybe try and run them off an evening through the week. Cricket is a hard game in that it takes a lot longer to play then other sports and this makes it hard on parents to be able to commit the time to letting their children play it.
Another thing I think Cricket NSW could look at is promoting regional cricket. A lot of the media surrounds the Sydney metropolitan area and the grass roots cricket doesn't really get the air time it may deserve.
