Shelston's Magpies - My Best Grade team 1974 - 1988

I have enjoyed reading of the teams selected by other correspondents.

So, here is my stab at the best Grade Cricket team from the players I played with during my playing days.

To paint my picture, I only ever played for Western Suburbs in the Sydney Grade competition between 1974 and 1988.

While I was just an average grade cricketer and played through all the grades, I was fortunate to play a few seasons of First Grade alongside some fairly useful players.

So, I think my team would give most of the others mentioned here a fair run for their money.

This is my best Grade team from the players I played with

1. Mark Spicer – Powerful Opener Represented NSW at U/19’s, I still hold the first wicket club record for Third Grade with Spice he gave it away far too young.

2. Scott Hookey – A character…but exciting player when on.

3. Dirk Wellham (c) – played with Dirk from U10s in the park through to Grade. Making runs was habitually easy for him.

4. Brad McNamara – Shared a 50 plus run partnership with Brad on his First-Grade debut.

5. Greg Matthews – Greg will do me for spin and batting 5.

6. Greg Douglas – Explosive talent – would be a BBL sensation these days.

7. Greg Dyer – would make it as a batsman but here as the keeper, another I played junior cricket with.

8. Graham Bush – ACT leggie, impossible to leave out of any team when a drink is on.

9. Phil Kelleard – Trojan for the Pies for many many seasons RIP

10. Dave Gilbert – Came to Wests at the end of my time impossible to leave out

11. John Coyle – After a great career with Petersham Coylie played a couple of seasons with me in 2nds. Dangerous on his day.

12th man – Mike Swan – superb slipper and outfielder

Team Scorer – Mal Gorham – “pencil” say no more RIP er

Team Manager – Eric Francis – a great clubman who looked after Seconds for many years.