My Best Grade team - Greg Mail 1995 to 2017

This piece and selections was originally published in April 2020.

My Sydney University team mates often suggested I’d played with half of the competition, so picking my best grade team presented quite a challenge.

My 1st Grade career stretched from 1995 to 2017 across Parramatta, Hawkesbury, Balmain and Sydney University.

I played with and against some great players and great people. Just writing down this list this morning brought back some wonderful memories. Think we have a fair side here, who wants middle order players when you can pick seven blokes capable of opening the batting?

1. Greg Hayne - Balmain

The opening batsman’s opener and my mentor. Leading run scorer when he retired. First slip.

2. Ryan Carters (Wicket Keeper) – Sydney University

If his last match was timeless he may have batted for weeks. High class ‘keeper too.

3. Ed Cowan – Sydney University

My favourite batting partner despite his running between wickets. Also, fielded short leg for Australia, so fills that spot here.

4. Matt Phelps – Sydney University

The most destructive opener in the set, imperious at his best.

5. Scott Henry – Sydney University

Nice habit of making centuries in grand finals. Solid dry dressing room wit.

6. Nick Larkin – Sydney University

Need a current player so this isn’t all “in my day…”

7. Ian Moran – Sydney University

13000 runs, 300 wickets, O’Reilly medal, 4 premierships and the most competitive bloke I played with.

8. Neil Maxwell (Captain) - Balmain

Slightly demonstrative as captain, fast late outswingers, great hands.

9. Stuart Clark – Sydney University

Grumpy, fast and bouncy.

10. Simon Cook – Balmain

Got better the flatter it got. Wit to make S Henry look slapstick.

11. Stuart MacGill – Sydney University

The easiest leg spinner I captained; “Put the field anywhere, it won’t matter.”

12th man. Mark Cameron – Sydney University

Carries the drinks here, genuinely fast outswingers, jet in the field.