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A Milestone in NSW Cricket: Steve Rixon and Peter Toohey Celebrating 50 Years
Two great mates, born just 55 days and 417 kilometres apart in regional NSW, made their first-class debut for New South Wales on this day, 50 years ago—October 25, 1974.
Steve Rixon, hailing from Albury, and Peter Toohey, from Blayney, donned the iconic NSW Baggy Blue for the first time, facing Queensland at the Gabba. Though NSW fell short, losing by 9 wickets, the game marked the beginning of two remarkable careers that would soon rise above the early setback. Both Rixon and Toohey went on to represent Australia at the highest level—Test cricket.
Their shared journey extended beyond state cricket, as both men played together at Western Suburbs District Cricket Club in Sydney. In an extraordinary twist, they even made their Test debuts side by side, both taking the field for Australia against India at the Gabba during the first Test of the 1977-78 series.
This time, their fortunes were much brighter. Rixon (Australian player number 287) made his mark behind the stumps with 5 catches, while Toohey (Australian player number 288) impressed with the bat, scoring 82 and 57, helping Australia to a 16-run victory.
Cricket brought Rixon and Toohey together and fifty years later, we look back with admiration on the achievements of these two great mates.
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Responses
Fond memories of both. Here are two
1. In a redraw game in 1974 we are playing against Bankstown. Last game of the season. We win the toss and elect to bowl. I'm sitting in the dressing room intrigued that Stumper hasn't put the pads on. He tells me he's opening the bowling with me. The wicket-keeper for the day is to be Phil Alterator who happens to be the president's son. He would rank as perhaps the luckiest keeper ever to grace first grade given the presence of Stumper. But hey he's the pres's son.
Stumper who was vying for a state spot at the time was not impressed.
For the record Stumper hot 2/23 with his dinky medium pacers.
2. Peter Toohey. I had the misfortune to bowl to him towards the tail end of my first grade career. Hadn't bowled to him before. I wasn't really fired up for the game as I realised I was heading down the grades.
I opened to Peter. Second or third ball sails over the southern scoreboard. He actually takes the sword to me. I retire to the deep fine boundary to watch him reel off a devastating century. I think to myself that yes maybe next week I'll be shaking hands with the second grade captain.