A golden era in Australian club cricket

As most cricket experts will tell you, comparing standards and statistics of different eras is pretty pointless. Comparisons across eras are unfair because too many things change over time. Fair enough, but there is much evidence that backs the assertion that the 1950s and 60s were the heyday of first-grade cricket in Australia.

These days, premier league cricket, as first grade is called now, is played with great intensity by players who are much bigger, stronger and fitter than ever before. But today’s compétitions lack two things that characterised club cricket in the 50s and 60s.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/531/john-rogers/blog/1281/a-golden-era-in-australian-club-cricket

I joined Petersham Marrickville in the mid 60's. The club ran a coaching clinic on a Saturday morning before the game, and many first grade players were involved including the great Johnny Martin and Noel Hughes ( father of Graeme, Gary and Mark). It was where i heard Johnny Martin (the little fave), only kept a record of how many 6's he hit. For better or worse, that stuck with me my whole career!

Cricket transformed from a “sport” to a “business” during the “Packer” period with many changes occurring post-1970. Pre 1970 is as you describe it John Roger’s. Post - sports like baseball moved from Winter to Summer although there was still a good winter competition in Sydney and many UNSW cricketers came and chanced their arms at baseball…I think it was probably more for the beer and companionship.
But you had to chose whether the focus was cricket or baseball.
Also the intensity of cricket increased with multi-formats and the opportunity to earn enough to “raise and feed a family”.
Remember several friends moving north to QLD to follow their cricket dream.