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EDITION 34 APRIL 2012 www.auscricket.com.au
THIS ISSUE
Michael Clarke wins third AB Medal
• ACAAll*StarteamsandPlayeroftheMonth• ACAMastersWrap• TomMoffatgoesDutch
The culmination of the domestic season, the All*Star Teams were presented for the Four-Day, One-Day and Twenty20 Big Bash League competitions.
Selection was determined by a vote of contracted Australian, State and Rookie players. Players could not vote for members of their own squad and eligibility was restricted to players who have played at least half the number of games in the relevant competition.
George Bailey’s impressive season with the bat was rewarded with his selection as captain of the ACA Four-Day team of the Year.
Experienced South Australian campaigner Michael Klinger added to his team’s triumph in the Ryobi Cup, voted captain of the ACA One-Day team.
Melbourne Stars right-hander Davis Hussey was named skipper of the Big Bash League All*Star team in its inaugural season under the new format.
Jackson Bird’s brilliant debut season for Tasmania was recognised with the 25-year-old named the Bupa Sheffield Shield Player of the Year.In just seven matches Bird took a competition-leading 48 wickets at an average of 15.75, including a hat trick and 11 wickets in the last round match against Western Australia to help the Tigers qualify for a second straight final.South Australia’s Tom Cooper was named the RYOBI One-Day Cup Player of the Series after scoring 366 runs at an average of 73.2 during the season.In women’s cricket, NSW pair Leah Poulton and Lisa Sthalekar shared the honours in the Women’s National Cricket League while Victoria’s Meg Lanning was named the WT20 Player of the Year.The Queensland Bulls were awarded the Benaud Spirit of Cricket Award, while the New South Wales women’s team was presented with the WNCL and Women’s Twenty20 Spirit of Cricket Awards.
2011-12StateCricketAwards
BupaSheffieldShieldPlayeroftheYear:
Jackson Bird (Tasmania)
RYOBIOne-DayCupPlayeroftheYear:
Tom Cooper (South Australia)
WNCLPlayersoftheYear:
Leah Poulton (New South Wales) & Lisa Sthalekar (New South Wales)
WT20PlayeroftheYear:
Meg Lanning (Victoria)
CricketAustraliaUmpireAward:
Simon Taufel
Lord’sTavernersIndigenous CricketeroftheYear:
Josh Lalor (NSW)
ACA ONSIDE APRIL 2012 32 ACA ONSIDE APRIL 2012
Twelve months is a long time in sport and in reflecting upon the successes of the 2011-12 season it has been heartening to see Australian cricket bounce back so strongly after the disappointment of last season’s Ashes loss.
Paul Marsh
The undoubted highlight of the summer was the 4-0 whitewash of India in the Test series. The win in the ODI tri-series against the two 2011 World Cup finalists was also memorable and these results auger well for what’s ahead.
On the domestic front there were also many highlights. The launch of the expanded Big Bash League was a huge success and I congratulate all the players who were involved for the way they played and their efforts in promoting the competition and engaging with fans. The players took it upon themselves to go above and beyond what’s expected of them in helping get this competition off the ground and their efforts were appreciated and acknowledged by CA.
On the playing side of things, congratulations to Queensland on winning the Sheffield Shield in what was an amazing final against Tasmania. Two years ago strong consideration was given by CA to discontinuing the Shield final. The ACA’s position then and now is that it is a critical match for the development of future international players and must remain in the schedule. This year’s final demonstrated why this match is so important.
Congratulations also to South Australia on their drought-breaking win in the Ryobi Cup and the Sydney Sixers for their success in the Big Bash League.
Our female cricketers also did us proud this summer with the Southern Stars completing series wins against New Zealand and India and the NSW Breakers and the Victoria Spirit continuing their dominance of domestic cricket.
A special congratulations to Allan Border Medallist Michael Clarke who took out Australian cricket’s highest individual honour for the third time after a phenomenal year. Michael is clearly thriving with the extra responsibilities associated with being Australian Captain and he was a very worthy winner of this award.
Shane Warne’s induction into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame was a fitting reward for his enormous contribution to our sport. The presentation, including a wonderful tribute by Richie Benaud, was one of the night’s highlights.
Congratulations to all other award winners presented at the Allan Border Medal and to all those who made the ACA Teams of the Year. Details on all awards are contained within.
ACA and CA are currently in the process of negotiating another MOU to commence on 1 July 2012.
On the back of the Argus Review, CA is pursuing some major changes to the player payment model. In essence, CA wants to make the payment model more ‘performance based’. Their proposal is to redirect money from the retainers of CA players into a performance pool where players receive ‘bonus’ payments for winning matches and series and for finishing in the top two in the ICC rankings in the respective formats of the game.
They are proposing that the players’ current 26% share of Australian Cricket Revenue could be reduced to 23% with exceptionally poor performance but only up to 27% with exceptionally good performance.
We have rejected this model and believe our payment model is already highly performance focussed. Based on their performances, players can fluctuate from the top of the CA contract list to not having a contract at all. The financial impact of this is hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Players also have a very short career span in the game. As such, performance is absolutely critical if they want to maximise their careers.
CA’s proposal has created angst amongst the player group. Australian cricket has had an unparalleled period of success under the current model and the players have significant pride in their performances.
They are also on the world stage where everything they do is scrutinised by the media and public. We don’t believe their motivation to perform should be in question.
Another significant issue is what share of the revenue received from the 2015 World Cup by CA and States should be paid to the players? In our view the current MOU quite clearly entitles players to 26% of these revenues and we are looking to use this as an opportunity to set up a legacy program for our past player members. We are still in discussions with CA on this issue.
There are various other issues that we continue to work through with CA and we will be doing all we can to resolve these in a timely manner.
Another ACA Masters season has concluded and once again there were many highlights as we promoted the game of cricket and raised money for local communities across the country. Our Masters players continue to be terrific ambassadors for the ACA and the game of cricket and I thank all of them for their continued support.
This season was also the first in a new partnership with Ryobi. Past and present players were involved in delivering the Ryobi Overhaul program and the partnership culminated in a wonderful day at the Helensvale Hawks Cricket Club, with ACA members helping renovate the clubrooms and play a match against the mighty Hawks. Many thanks to Ryobi for their support of the ACA.
In finishing, I want to say how proud I am of our organisation in reaching our milestone goal of 1,000 members in February. To each and every one of our members – thank you for your support of the ACA.
Regards
PAUL MARSH Chief Executive
ACAWelcome
2 ACA ONSIDE APRIL 2012
George Bailey, Michael Klinger & David Hussey
ACAFour-DaySeries All*StarTeamoftheYear
Player
State
Votes(%)
Rob Quiney VIC 79%
Liam Davis WA 72%
George Bailey (c) TAS 85%
Peter Forrest QLD 63%
Adam Voges (vc) WA 64%
Dan Christian SA 51%
Peter Nevill NSW 90%
Ben Cutting QLD 53%
Jayde Herrick VIC 55%
Jackson Bird TAS 69%
Michael Hogan WA 70%
Tom Cooper SA 46%
ACAOne-DayInterstate All*StarTeamoftheYear
Player
State
Votes(%)
Michael Klinger (c) SA 77%
Matthew Wade VIC 46%
Ed Cowan (vc) TAS 53%
Tom Cooper SA 65%
Nathan Reardon QLD 59%
Rob Quiney VIC 57%
James Faulkner TAS 47%
Nathan Coulter-Nile WA 55%
Mitchell Starc NSW 56%
Jason Krejza TAS 49%
Alister McDermott QLD 74%
Callum Ferguson SA 46%
ACABigBashLeague All*StarTeamoftheYear
Player
Team
Votes(%)
Chris Gayle (vc) Sydney Thunder 77%
Herschelle Gibbs Perth Scorchers 56%
Travis Birt Hobart Hurricanes 84%
Owais Shah Hobart Hurricanes 76%
David Hussey (c) Melbourne Stars 69%
Mitchell Marsh Perth Scorchers 49%
Matthew Wade Melbourne Stars 65%
James Faulkner Melbourne Stars 55%
Shahid Afridi Melbourne Renegades 48%
Rana Naved Hobart Hurricanes 60%
Brad Hogg Perth Scorchers 49%
Dan Christian Brisbane Heat 47%
The ACA All*Star Teams for the 2011-2012 season were announced at the State Cricket Awards at the Gabba, prior to the Sheffield Shield final between Queensland and Tasmania.
Shane Watson, Bobby Quiney & David Warner
ACA ONSIDE APRIL 2012 54 ACA ONSIDE APRIL 2012
ALLANBORDERMEDALAND TESTPLAYEROFTHEYEARClarke, who won the medal in 2005 and 2009 (when he tied with Ricky Ponting), polled 231 votes to finish some 57 clear of Michael Hussey (174), Shane Watson (166) and Ponting (141).
Appointed to succeed Ricky Ponting as captain of the Test and ODI sides after last year's World Cup, Clarke had a sensational year, scoring 2038 Test and One Day runs in the voting period in at an average of 65.74, including six centuries and seven half-centuries.
Clarke also won the Test Player of the Year award.
After 23 consecutive Test innings without reaching three figures, Clarke produced a sizzling run of form after assuming the captaincy, including 112 in Colombo, 151 in Cape Town, 139 in Brisbane, 329no in Sydney and 210 in Adelaide.
ONEDAYINTERNATIONALANDTWENTY20PLAYEROFTHEYEARShane Watson collected his third straight One Day International Player of the Year award with 19 votes, equal with Clarke, but took out the prize by having polled more three-vote games than his captain.
Watson scored 833 runs at 55.53, and collected 11 wickets. He scored an unbeaten 185 against Bangladesh last April, the highest ever score made by an Australian in an ODI.
Watson also took out the Twenty20 Player of the Year award with 5 votes, level with Matthew Wade, but once again polled more three-vote games to his runner-up to take home the honour.
Although he missed much of the T20 season with injury, Watson still managed to become Australia's leading run scorer with 119 runs and took two wickets.
DOMESTICPLAYEROFTHEYEARVictorian and Melbourne Stars left-hander Bobby Quiney was named Domestic Player of the Year at the 2012 Allan Border Medal.
Quiney received an impressive 52% of player votes to be a runaway winner over Tasmania’s James Faulkner (12%) and fellow Bushranger Matthew Wade (10%).
Quiney totalled 1640 runs at an overall average of 44.32 with 10 half-centuries and four centuries and a highest score of 119 in a Sheffield Shield match against South Australia. This followed his 114 in the first innings to complete a dominant double.
BRADMANYOUNGCRICKETEROFTHEYEARAggressive New South Wales and Australian opener David Warner was named Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year.
The left-hander won the award convincingly, polling 29% of player votes to finish well clear of Victorian paceman James Pattinson (20%) and South Australian right-hander Tom Cooper (16%).
Warner’s maiden International ton in Hobart was followed up by a 69-ball hundred against India at the WACA, equalling West Indian Shivnarine Chanderpaul for the fourth fastest Test century of all time. The powerful left-hander turned this knock into 180 from 159 balls to reinforce his arrival as a talent across all forms of the game.
The Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year award is open to any player who was aged 24 or under and had not played more than 10 first-class matches at the commencement of the voting period.
BELINDACLARKAWARDRetired all-rounder Shelley Nitschke claimed her fourth straight Belinda Clark Award (formerly the Women's International Player of the Year Award) at the 2012 Allan Border Medal.
The South Australian, who polled 33 votes, edged out fellow all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar, who finished with 31 votes and Alex Blackwell (26).
The left-hand bat and left-arm orthodox spinner played a total of 13 matches in the voting period, amassing 285 runs at an average of 23.75, while also taking 21 wickets at 17.62 apiece.
HALLOFFAMELegendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame. Warne was the selection committee's unanimous choice for induction in 2012 and was warmly introduced with a moving tribute from Richie Benaud.
Warne played in 145 Tests and was the first cricketer to take 700 Test wickets. He finished his career with 708 wickets at an average of 25.41. He is acknowledged for reviving the art of leg-spin bowling and is widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in the game’s history. Warne also played in 194 ODIs where he took 293 wickets at an average of 25.73.
KERRYPACKERAWARDJust prior to the Allan Border Medal, former ACA President and long-serving Executive member Darren Lehmann was announced as the latest recipient of the Kerry Packer Award for his outstanding contribution to the ACA.
The award was established in 2006 to recognise outstanding contributors to the ACA and its membership. The award is named after Kerry Packer as a result of the ACA Executive deeming him to be the most significant contributor to the players' cause in Australian cricket history. Recipients are afforded Honorary Life Membership of the ACA.
Michael Clarke’s debut season as captain of the Test and ODI sides ended on high note when he was awarded his third Allan Border Medal.
Shelley Nitschke, Shane Warne, Paul Marsh & Darren Lehmann
Brad & Karina Haddin, Ricky & Rianna Pointing, Matthew Wade & Julia Barry
Clarke wins third AllanBorderMedal
Among the highlights of the season were some very exciting inclusions to the list of those who’ve represented the ACA Masters.
England spinner Monty Panesar joined the team for the tour of Armidale, creating quite a stir around the Northern Tablelands. Panesar spent part of
the summer playing Sydney Grade cricket with Randwick-Petersham but there’s little doubt his time with the Masters also helped his recall to the English Test team for the series against Pakistan in Dubai!
Another player who used the ACA Masters to help springboard a return to higher honours was fellow left-arm tweaker Brad Hogg. After strong performances on the NSW tour, ‘George’ went on to star in the Big Bash League with the Perth Scorchers and incredibly was recalled to the Australian T20 team for the two matches against India.
Wins in Coffs Harbour (33 runs) and Armidale (8 runs) got the season off to a bright start.
Former Victorian representative Clinton Peake produced a man-of-the-match performance on his Masters debut in the match against the Australian Country Cricket XI. Peake’s unbeaten 70 couldn’t save the Masters from a final over defeat.
John Davison, who played for Victoria, South Australia and Canada, played his first game for the Masters in Alice Springs as part of the Imparja Cup. An inauspicious ‘globe’ was in keeping with a dismal team total of 59 that was easily passed by the Black Caps in the sixth over.
‘Davo’ and the team bounced back to perform well in subsequent games over the season. Alongside Ryan Campbell and Victorian opener Chris Rogers (another to debut for the Masters), Davison was prominent on the Albury-Wodonga/Rochester tour, although he did ‘spill’ a controversial catch on the boundary off evergreen spinner Greg Matthews to register the team’s second successive last-over defeat.
The ‘Water to Wickets’ match in Rochester was enormously successful with plenty of support for the game, which raised money for flood recovery after the town was engulfed just over a year ago.
Cameron Borgas, who played a key role in the Redbacks’ thrilling title win in the Ryobi Cup, debuted for the Masters team in Port Augusta, injecting some much-needed youth into the top order of the batting lineup. Greg Blewett was the mainstay of the 48-run win in his first Masters appearance of the season.
Fellow South Australians Shelley Nitschke and Karen Rolton became the first female players to tour with the ACA Masters since its launch in 2008, when they joined the team on the tour of Whyalla.
Rolton blasted a quickfire 14 while Nitschke weaved a wonderful spell to take 3/17 from her four overs. Her efforts helped Jimmy Maher to an amazing six stumpings for the innings and a 10 run win! Combined with his four stumpings in Port Augusta, it was a remarkable tour for the ‘gloveman’.
Graham Yallop, Jon Moss, Geoff Foley and Greg Rowell were others to debut throughout the season.
An ACA Youth Scholarship was awarded after each match, comprising a $1000 bursary to go towards the player’s cricket development, along with mentoring from a Masters player.
Liam Davis
6 ACA ONSIDE APRIL 2012 ACA ONSIDE APRIL 2012 7
The ACA Player of the Month is voted on by all contracted Cricket Australia, State and Rookie players. The awards are presented for the six months of the domestic cricket season and recognise the achievements of the best performed players in the Interstate Four-Day, Interstate One-Day and Twenty20 Big Bash League competitions.
OCTOBER–LIAMDAVISWestern Australian opening batsman Liam Davis was named ACA Player of the Month for October.
Davis won the award with 32% of player votes over South Australian Gary Putland (18%) and teammate Nathan Coulter-Nile (13%).
Davis scored 135 in WA’s victory over Tasmania at the WACA and posted outstanding scores of 89 and 93 in the drawn match against South Australia in Adelaide the following round.
NOVEMBER–DANIELCHRISTIANSouth Australian all-rounder Daniel Christian took out the award for November.
The hard-hitting right-hander polled 25% of the votes to win from Victorian keeper Matthew Wade (23%) and Tasmanian opener Ed Cowan (16%).
Christian was at his best with the bat in the Bupa Sheffield Shield throughout the voting period, scoring 313 runs at 52.17 with a highest score of 108 against Queensland.
In the Ryobi One-Day Cup, Christian made 46 runs at 23.00 and took 7 wickets at 20.57.
DECEMBER–CHRISGAYLEDestructive Sydney Thunder dynamo Chris Gayle was the outstanding player in December.The powerful left-hander won the award with 30% of player votes over Victorian and Melbourne Stars batsman David Hussey (17%) and Tasmanian opener and Sydney Sixers player, Ed Cowan (17%).The 32 year-old West Indian import was at his dominant best in the KFC T20 Big Bash League during December, scoring 179 runs in just three matches during the voting period, including a monster innings of 100 not out against the Adelaide Strikers. His ton came from just 54 balls and included three fours and an incredible eleven sixes.Gayle also top scored for the Thunder in their match at home against the Melbourne Renegades with 75, also off 54 balls.
JANUARY–TRAVISBIRTHobart Hurricanes left-hander Travis Birt capped a terrific BBL series by winning the award for January.Birt won the award convincingly with 42% of player votes over Hurricanes team mate Owais Shah (26%). Melbourne Stars right-hander David Hussey and Perth Scorchers paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile tied for third with 10% of the votes.Birt's entertaining power hitting saw him top the list of BBL run scorers with 345 runs at 43.13 at an impressive strake rate of 168.29.
FEBRUARY–LIAMDAVISWestern Australia’s Liam Davis put the icing on his breakthrough season, taking out his second ACA Player of the Month award.
Davis secured the honours for February with a convincing 39% of player votes, overcoming Jackson Bird in second place with 18% and Ed Cowan in third (11%).
The opener made 375 runs in just three innings at an impressive average of 187.5, including a career best performance of 303 not out against NSW, the second highest individual score made by a WA batsman.
MARCH–JACKSONBIRDTasmanian paceman Jackson Bird followed up on his Bupa Sheffield Shield Player of the Year award to take out the Player of the Month accolade for March.
Bird polled a whopping 65% of player votes, overcoming the two second placed getters, Joe Burns and his Tigers teammate Ricky Ponting - who both tallied 11%.
The 25 year-old had another damaging month with the ball, taking 16 wickets in just two matches, at an average of 12.9 and guided Tasmania to the Sheffield Shield final after claiming 11 wickets in their win over WA in the last round.
The quick tore through the Warriors on day one, taking 5/32 before cleaning up the visitors in the second innings with figures of 6/63, a performance that included his first ever hat-trick.
ACAMasterswrap
The ACA Masters completed another busy season of touring with trips to Coffs Harbour and Armidale in New South Wales; the Imparja Cup in Alice Springs; the Australian Country Championships in Geelong; Albury/Wodonga and Rochester in Victoria; and Port Augusta and Whyalla in South Australia.
Daniel Christian, Chris Gayle, Travis Birt & Jackson Bird
Monty Panesar
Cameron Borgas, Shelley Nitschke, Chris Rogers & Ryan Campbell
Be sure to check out the ‘ACA Masters
Tour Diary’ videos and pics of all the events
including matches, in2CRICKET clinics,
hospital visits and sportsman’s nights
on our ACA Masters Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/ACAMasters .
ACA ONSIDE APRIL 2012 98 ACA ONSIDE APRIL 2012
Wherearetheynow? PaulJackson
Tom completed a work placement at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands as part of the ACA’s Beyond the Boundary program. He shared his thoughts with Onside.
Cricketisaprettycompetitiveindustry.I had a reasonable season in 2010-11 as a Rookie in both Grade cricket and at 2nd XI level. I didn’t really nail the opportunities I was given at first-class level and I guess it’s for those reasons I didn’t get a contract (in 2011-12). It was a bit of a setback but I’m still working hard on a few things they’ve asked me to improve on and I’m still hopeful of pursuing my passion further into the future. I’m only 24 and it’s arguable your best years come in your later twenties.
I’vebeenstudyingforsixyearsandit’sbeenalonghaulbutI’mgladI’vekeptitup. I’m doing a Double degree in Law/International Studies at Adelaide University and have nearly finished. It provides a bit of a balance and allows me to step away from cricket and focus on study – and vice versa. It makes you appreciate being able to run around with the lads and not be constantly writing notes. For my mindset I think it’s good to have a few different things to put my energies into at different times.
I’vegotarealinterestininternationallawandforeignaffairs. I took on my degree with a career in these sorts of areas in mind. I really wanted to get inside an embassy and see how it operated on a day-to-day basis. At university you get a lot of the theoretical stuff but you don’t get as much of a chance to see the practical side
of working in those areas. I wanted to see if it was really my passion and also wanted to get some work experience to help make the transition (into the workplace) easier.
ItookonaworkplacementattheDutchEmbassyinCanberra as part of the ACA’s Beyond the Boundary program.
OnmyfirstdayIwalkedinandfoundmyselfsingingHappyBirthdayinDutch. It was the birthday of Hans, ones of the senior guys and I had absolutely no idea what I was doing.
MymainprojectwaslookingatthemodelsforelitesportbothhereandintheNetherlands.I worked closely with the Deputy Head of the Mission and he had me research the similarities and differences in the two systems and suggested ways the two countries could cooperate in the future.
ThepeopleattheEmbassywereverywelcomingandtookmeundertheirwings, which I was very grateful for, and suspect these placements aren’t something they do every day. They were very open to having a chat and candid about what it’s really like to work in their areas.
IwasluckyenoughtotagalongtosomemeetingswiththeDepartmentofForeignAffairsandTradeand see diplomacy at work first hand. Sitting in on those meetings was a real highlight.
WhatstruckmeabouttheDutchEmbassywasthebreadthoftheareasitcovered.They covered everything from consular work with Dutch nationals, to passports, through to the diplomacy stuff that I saw and even international legal issues. Because it is quite a small posting, the staff have to be jacks of all trades.
TheBeyondtheBoundaryprogramhasbeengreatand I’m 100% appreciative of the support Erin (Infront Sports) and the ACA have given me in helping me take the next step in my career outside of cricket. Seeing how things work from within an organisation and making a few contacts will certainly help my transition when I’ve finished my degree.
I realise that’s it’s through the hard work of (cricket) people in years gone by that make programs like this available to young guys like me.
TomMoffatgoesDutch
Onside caught up with Paul following the Bulls’ triumph in this season’s final…
YouwerepartoftheBulls’famouswinin1994-95,which,ofcourse,wastheirfirstever.Infact,youtookthefinalwicket;whatdoyourecallaboutthefinalmomentsofthatmatch?
I think going into the final moments of that match we knew we were going to win, so we actually had the chance to sit back and absorb the moment. You don’t often get that chance in cricket. It was certainly a big event with the whole crowd there. In regard to the final wicket, I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. Carl Rackemann was bowling at the other end and he getting that final wicket probably would have been the fairy-tale ending. At the end of the day most people remember Carl Rackemann taking the catch.
YoustartedwithVictoria–whatmemoriesdoyouhaveofyourdebut?
I made a duck on debut. I hit a full ball to square leg and walked off to an empty set of stands with nought against my name. Probably the other memory was Gladstone Small being my first, first-class wicket.
WhatledtoyoujoiningQueensland?
I ran into a person by the name of Shane Keith Warne, which made me contemplate the requirements to change states. I think everybody could see the potential that Shane had and history tells us that he was a great bowler, but he definitely had something special at the time. He was starting up with his Test career, so I thought my opportunities were better served by moving interstate, given where I was in my career at that time. I was also fortunate that my employer at the time was prepared to move me.
DidyoubowlinmanyfirstinningsattheGabba?
No, not really. I was merely there to bowl when it was 35 degrees, 90% humidity and the quicks weren’t interested.
Whatwasyourcareerhighlight?
I can’t go past winning those Sheffield Shields. I was fortunate to win Shields with both Victoria and Queensland. Another highlight was bowling 69 overs in a Shield final against New South Wales in ’93. My mum died during that match, so I view that as one of my better performances. Although I didn’t take a lot of wickets, I bowled 69 overs in one innings and I believe that’s the most individual overs bowled in a Shield final.
Whowerethebestplayersyouplayedwith?
A challenging concept.
Best bowler: Merv Hughes – with his ability to make things happen, even on flat wickets.
Best batsmen: Allan Border (mentally tough), Matthew Hayden (averaged 60 opening on green Gabba wickets), Dean Jones (One Day)
Anymemorablyfunnymoments?
Anything to do with fast bowlers, whether batting or bowling, and regularly featuring Merv Hughes or Carl Rackemann. One story that springs to mind is Kasper (Michael Kasprowicz) using a new set of lightweight pads in a Shield game versus South Australia and singing the virtues to teammates about the next generation in equipment just prior to batting.
The second ball faced by Kasper from Peter McIntyre pitched on middle stump and subsequently hit middle stump - with Kasper appearing to not offer a shot. Upon entering the change room Kaspers’ pads, with some force, found their way into the dustbin.
When quizzed by his teammates about the pads, Kasper replied, “The pads will stay in the bin, never to be worn again”. His bat had got caught in his pads trying to execute a back foot defence. The game can be a great leveller.
WhatdoyouthinkofthespinstocksaroundAustraliaatthemoment?
I consider them to be building at this particular point. I think there are some young players that are beginning to get more experience and our spin stocks are improving. I think we’ll see the benefits of that over the next two to three years.
Whatareyouuptonowworkwise?
I work for the Westpac bank, looking after resource clients – metal, mining, oil and gas.
InrecentyearsyoujoinedtheCricketVictoriaboard.Howhaveyoufoundtherole?
I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve enjoyed being involved behind the scenes of cricket. I’ve done some stuff with Cricket Australia, along with the board of Cricket Victoria. I’m also currently on the board of the Melbourne Renegades. It’s an exciting opportunity to be involved with the development of T20 in Australia. I think trying to develop new markets and a new audience is an exciting new world for cricket. It’s something that cricket needs to embrace going forward.
Whatdoyouconsideristhebiggestchallengeforcricketoverthenext12months?
I believe there are three major challenges facing cricket over the next 12 months. One is the changing of the governance structure; two is adapting to a season of three formats and; three is continuing to build the spread of the game, in terms of junior (both boys and girls) cricket.
South Australia’s Tom Moffat was a Rookie listed player in 2010-11, playing four first-class matches for the Redbacks. He missed a contract in 2011-12 but has continued to pursue his cricket career at club level with Sturt whilst also keeping up his studies.
Former Queensland and Victorian spinner Paul Jackson was the first player to win Sheffield Shield titles for two different States. He played 105 first-class matches and 41 domestic One Day games, playing until he was 38. He joined the Cricket Victoria board in 2007.
10 ACA ONSIDE APRIL 2012
A solemn reminder of the different landscape that is cricket in 2012 came in mid-February when the same two teams faced off in a Shield match at the MCG, where just five had played Test cricket, with a total 41 matches between them. The emerging Peter Siddle made up most of these with 31.
The 1970-71 total of 469 Tests would also have been much higher had it not been for the South African situation of the time. Barry Richards was widely regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world of his generation but would only play four Tests for his home country, where he averaged 72. He did rack up a staggering 339 First-Class matches though, averaging nearly 55.
South Australia won the Shield that season, with Richards plundering 1100 runs at 100. Jeff Hammond recalls the season fondly.
“We were able to witness the magic of Barry Richards, certainly the best player I have ever bowled to,” he said.
The game in question saw South Australia make 314 in the first innings with its strong top-order being kept in control by the pace of Alan “Froggy” Thomson. Only a late partnership of 144 between Ashley Mallett (76) and ‘keeper Rex Blundell (66) saw them to a respectable total.
Thomson recalls the game vividly as it was the only time in his career he dismissed any of Richards, Greg Chappell and Ian Chappell. His 7/115 followed a nine-wicket match haul versus England and gave him his 100th first-class wicket. He was the fastest ever to that mark.
It was enough to see him play the first Test match of the summer versus England a couple of weeks later. There was no workload management in those days as Thomson played a further four-day match that finished just three days before the Test. In this he bowled 41 eight-ball overs.
“We were fit for bowling. We didn’t break down,” Thomson noted.
Hammond saw Thomson as a bowler who swung the ball into the right hander quite late, but does believe that the huge workload limited his effectiveness during the Test series.
“He had bowled a huge amount of overs and this dented his effectiveness I feel. He was exceptionally fit for those times and due to his action he was often difficult to pick up, especially early in one’s innings.”
Interestingly all ten of South Australia’s wickets were caught, as were the first four in the second innings. “Maybe we were not good enough to hit the stumps,” says Thomson.
Ray “Slug” Jordan snared five of these catches, the first half of ten dismissals for the match, a Victorian record that stood for 26 years before Darren “Chuck” Berry bettered it against the same opposition.
Victoria responded with just 198, with Keith Stackpole the best with 85. Eric Freeman ended the innings with some carnage, bowling Victoria’s final three within five balls. The famous spin-duo of Jenner and Mallett combined for six wickets.
“Their partnership…made our overall attack extremely well balanced and had huge penetration,” Hammond said.
Significantly, Victoria’s captain Bill Lawry was injured during the first innings, straining a thigh muscle. It prevented him playing in the next match versus New South Wales where he went as 12th man to ensure he was selected for the first Test.
Into the team for the New South Wales match came Ken Eastwood, who Thomson said was the ‘regular’ 12th man. Eastwood made the most of his opportunity scoring 201 not out, the start of a string of good scores that saw him selected for the final Ashes Test of the summer.
South Australia took a second turn at the crease and declared at 7/175 after rain had prevented play in the first session on the final day. Victoria was set 292 to win in 218 minutes.
Through Jenner’s four wickets and Hammond’s two, Victoria was teetering at 8/108 when the injured Lawry returned to the wicket. Hammond’s recollection is that he proceeded to hold up an end for a period, frustrating the visitors.
Captain Ian Chappell had placed Hammond in place for Lawry’s hook shot, which inevitably came courtesy of a Freeman bumper.
“Bill was forced into the hook shot to fend off the delivery; remember we didn't have helmets in those days,” Hammond said.
“The top edge flew off the bat, high into the sky and was destined for my direction.
“I had so much time to settle under the catch that the palms of my hands began to sweat and I must have rubbed the palms of my hands on my shirt at least five or six times. I did not have to move an inch as the ball descended from the heavens. I dropped it and immediately I realised how costly this catch was, much to the delight of the crowd in Bay 13.”
The match ended in a thrilling draw.
The number of Test players participating at State level was not the only difference between 1970-71 and 2011-12. That Bay 13 crowd was part of a match attendance of almost 20,000.
Hammond’s miss meant little at season’s end, however, with South Australia winning their tenth Shield, and their second in three years.
MemorableMatch VictoriavSouthAustralia1970-71
For those that recall the good old days of Test players playing Sheffield Shield cricket, this game may have been one to remember. The two combatants, Victoria and South Australia, had in their ranks 469 Test matches of experience spread across 13 players.
Barry Richards
New record as ACA membership tops 1000One of the key outcomes of the ACA’s current strategic plan is to grow our membership base. The initial target to reach 950 was surpassed one year ahead of time and logically a revised figure of 1,000 was set.
We are pleased to announce that this figure was passed in the current year, and with the odd membership still trickling in we will probably finish the year at around 1020.
Some of the improvement has been due to expansion of the Big Bash League, allowing the total number of current players to rise.
Equally as importantly, the number of past player members has again risen. Life memberships have also risen by 9%, which has been a real focus of the ACA in recent years. The life commitment allows surety for the member that the services that the ACA offers will be there forever, with no further payment required.
Looking forward ACA management is excited to present to members later this year with a case for the inclusion of past female player members to the ranks of the ACA. This will, if you like, complete the circle of current and past players, and provide valuable recognition to those female players that have forged the path for the current brigade.
Also pleasing has been the growing uptake of the member benefits that are available to all members. Our list of benefits now extends to each of BUPA, Callaway, Choice Hotels, Claude Sebastian, Club Lifestyle, Foxtel, Harvey Norman, Kookaburra (current female players only), Oakley, Qantas Club, Skins, Superannuation and Swisse. For more information on any of these please see your Member Handbook, visit the website, or call the office.
These are offered in addition to the staple benefits of member functions, skin cancer checks and offerings available through the professional development program such as counselling and hardship funds.
We thank all members for their continued support and look forward to it continuing.
VIC v SA - SHEFFIELD SHIELD
Played at the MCG on November 13-16 1970/1971.
Toss: Victoria.
Umpires: JR Collins and RT Figgis.
Match: South Australia won outright
South Australia
1st Innings 2nd Innings
BA RICHARDS c Jordan b Thomson 51 c Jordan b Connolly 42
JP CAUSBY c Connolly b Thomson 6 c Jordan b Connolly 14
IM CHAPPELL* c Jordan b Thomson 52 c Sheahan b Watson 21
GS CHAPPELL c Scholes b Stackpole 25 c Jordan b Thomson 5
KG CUNNINGHAM c Jordan b Thomson 1 not out 44
JN LANGLEY c Scholes b Stackpole 5 st Jordan b Connolly 2
EW FREEMAN c Jordan b Thomson 3 c Jordan b Watson 15
RP BLUNDELL c Watson b Stackpole 66 b Bedford 11
AA MALLETT c Jordan b Thomson 76
TJ JENNER c Watson b Thomson 7
JR HAMMOND not out 0
Extras (lb 1, w 2, nb 19) 22 Extras (b 8, w 1, nb 12) 21
Total (all out; 100.7 overs) 314 Total (7 wickets dec; 59.3 overs) 175
FOW: 15, 78, 138, 143, 146, 150, 156, 300, 306, 314
FOW: 54, 71, 87, 98, 109, 143, 175
Bowling: O M R W O M R W
AL THOMSON 34.7 7 115 7 16 3 46 1
AN CONNOLLY 23 6 48 0 23 1 59 3
GD WATSON 6 1 22 0 9 0 14 2
AJ SIELER 8 2 20 0 2 1 6 0
KR STACKPOLE 21 7 50 3 7 1 19 0
PLA BEDFORD 8 0 37 0 2.3 0 10 1
Victoria
1st Innings 2nd Innings
WM LAWRY retired hurt 31 not out 2
KR STACKPOLE c Freeman b Mallett 85 c IM Chappell b Jenner 7
IR REDPATH c GS Chappell b Jenner 17 c Blundell b Hammond 11
AP SHEAHAN c Causby b Jenner 20 b Hammond 3
WJ SCHOLES c GS Chappell b Jenner 6 c IM Chappell b Jenner 27
PLA BEFORD c Blundell b Jenner 16 c GS Chappell b Mallett 6
GD WATSON b Mallett 9 b GS Chappell 17
AJ SIELER not out 3 c Mallett b Jenner 11
RC JORDON b Freeman 3 not out 5
AN CONNOLLY b Freeman 0 b Jenner 0
AL THOMSON b Freeman 0
Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 2, nb 3) 8 Extras (b 11, lb 2, nb 8) 21
Total (all out; 52.6 overs) 198 Total (8 wickets; 47.4 overs) 110
FOW: 65* RT, 104, 136, 144, 177, 185, 194, 198, 198, 198
FOW: 10, 44, 44, 47, 54, 102, 108
Bowling: O M R W O M R W
EW FREEMAN 10.6 0 60 3 7 0 30 0
JR HAMMOND 5 1 20 0 7 0 24 2
GS CHAPPELL 12 1 30 0 5 5 0 1
TJ JENNER 21 3 68 4 17.4 7 22 4
AA MALLETT 4 0 12 2 9 4 13 1
BA RICHARDS 2 2 0 0
ACA ONSIDE APRIL 2012 11
Former Victorian and South Australian paceman Allan Wise is providing valuable financial advice to many ACA members.
Finance health check –AllanWise
12 ACA ONSIDE APRIL 2012
Wise played 34 first-class and 16 domestic One Day matches with Victoria and South Australia between 2003 and 2009.
The tall left-armer, who captained Richmond Cricket Club to a premiership in 2011-12, completed a Masters of Financial Planning whilst playing and started Cygnet Advisory – a boutique financial planning firm in Melbourne - in January 2011.
Leading into the season, Wise addressed the Rookies and newly contracted players at the Induction Camp and has also done a lot of one-on-one work with players to help tailor a financial plan to their needs.
“What I encourage young guys coming into the system to do is to get their heads around their financial situation, take some ownership and get some advice,” he said.
“As young guys they have achieved something extremely valuable – the ability to spend their time devoted to a labour of love, while getting well compensated for doing so.
“With a little bit of financial training, they will continue kicking goals long after their careers end, however long that might be.”
Wise will continue to update members with advice throughout the year but here’s some starting points:
Top Ten Tips for Young Players1. Save money from your contract.
2. Use match payments as another opportunity to progress financially.
3. Spend some time on the worst-case scenario. The mindset that makes you a successful sportsman does not work financially. What happens to your debt-servicing ability if you incur a major injury and can no longer play, or your form drops?
4. View your short career as a potentially amazing opportunity to create a nest egg to fund your future. Peak earnings for ordinary folks occur when they’re between 45 and 55, but in the athletic world they occur in the first five to ten years, between 20 and 30.
5. Avoid poor investments - the right path is actually the most boring and conservative one. There is no way to make quick money without significant risk.
6. Don’t spend frivolously or live a lifestyle beyond your means. There are a lot of things you don’t need.
7. Use experts – have a financial mentor who you trust and with no conflicts of interest. Some managers have financial expertise but many do not. Remember, no-one cares more about your money than you.
8. Diversify your assets – shares are just as lucrative as property and can be sold in a couple of days, instead of a few months. And they can require little or no debt.
9. Buy the cheapest car your ego can afford – paying $20,000 for something that will be worth $12,000 in three years is not a financial asset.
10. Have a 60-20-20 plan for your money – 60 per cent safety, 20 per cent savings, and 20 per cent splurging.
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ManagerEvents&[email protected]
DigitalCommunicationsCoordinatorLiamCoventry-Poolelcoventry-poole@auscricket.com.au
Australian Cricketers’ Association Inc.
Level 1, 2 Ross Place PO Box 395 South Melbourne VIC 3205
Phone: 03 9698 7200
Fax: 03 9698 7299
Web: www.auscricket.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @ACA_Players
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Photos courtesy of Getty Images
