As I sit here writing on the cusp of my 100th match representing Macquarie University Cricket Club, I can't help but look back and be thankful for this great club and how it has shaped my life. My initial arrival to Australia in September 2006 was a strange introduction to the Lucky Country; the day before I left the UK the world was rocked by the news that Steve Irwin was dead, killed by a Stingray's barb to the heart. The day after I arrived I was taken to a Mazda track day at Oran Park, South West of Sydney, and was in the car with some bloke called Dick Johnson. Turns out he's a pretty big deal in V8 Supercars, of course I know that now as a Bathurst regular. He was given a phone, and was told that Peter Brock had just been killed (another Supercars legend, now the Bathurst 1000 trophy is named in his honour). The country was in mourning, but brighter things lay ahead for me and a life I could never have predicted has developed.
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(L-R) Paul Chapman, Adrian Lulka, Livio Kriletic,
Warren Montford, Mark Fairlie, Paul Clift, Chris Anstiss,
Alex Gibson, Andrew Tosolini. |
As a fresh-faced 20 year old from a small country town in Devon, arriving for my first training session in Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground's indoor training centre was a surreal experience. At my hometown club, Bovey Tracey, our 2004 and 2005 overseas import Jules Stephenson of Gordon CC had told me if I wanted to improve my cricket I had to go to Australia. When first planning to go overseas to play cricket I was looking at South Africa or New Zealand, following the examples of team-mates who had done the same. Through Jules and Rod Hokin (our 2006 import, also from Gordon CC) it was arranged for me to come and play in Australia. Gordon had already filled their quota of non-Australian players, and they had a partnership with Macquarie University CC in the Sydney Shires competition. When Club President David Smith contacted me and organised the final details of my trip the excitement was palpable and the club colours of Green and Gold matched Bovey's. It goes without saying that I could not have dreamt at that stage that I would ever play 100 games for Macquarie University Cricket Club.
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David Gracie. This man has been a friend and source of
wisdom (yes, really) to me for many years. And it all started
with a simple "F*** off!" |
I also had no idea the number of new friends this club would provide for me. In 2006/07 the club had a superb culture, plenty of members who had been at the club for many years, and the esteemed history of the club spoke to me in a way I can't describe. I played in all 4 of the Shires grades that season as well as Under 24's, my Captains were all great; Louis Hanna in U24's, Greg Brown in 4th Grade, Paul McInnes in 3rd Grade, Kris Griffiths-Jones in 1st Grade and 2nd Grade, where I spent most of my time was led by Brent McNee (Roasty). Roasty and I had our moments that year, but with hindsight he put his all into batting and tried to lead by example. It's a lesson that sits well with me today. Perhaps my best mate through that first season was Andrew Tosolini, whose family made me very welcome and I remain grateful to them all for that.
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Clyne Fernandes, always a huge
supporter during my time with MUCC |
Paul Clift, Mark Fairlie, Simon Fairlie, David Gracie, Louis Hanna, Prashant and Pranish Rai, Muhilan Sriravindrarajah, Tim Hopkins, Craig Edwards, Warren Montford, Clyne Fernandes, Pete Saliba, David Smith, Warrick Folkard, Greg Brown, Steve O'Reilly, ... There are so many more names that are enshrined into the history of the club, modern history at least, that I was fortunate enough to play alongside in that first season. Naturally I was closest to Glen "Linus" McFadden, my landlord and 2nd Grade team-mate, and his family. While statistically I didn't have a particularly great season, the lessons I learnt both on and off the field were invaluable.
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The only Under 24's side in MUCC history to make the
Grand Final. An honour to Captain this side. |
Due to other personal circumstances, I was lucky enough to accept an invitation from new President Paul Clift to return in 2009/10 and even more fortunate to be awarded the honour of Captaining our Under 24's side. Naturally there were new faces, and the feeling before the season started was that we had a side capable of going all the way. Pranish Rai, Curtis Ford, AJ Gray, Jairam Shyam, Chris McPherson, Prashant Rai, Jehan Bilimoria, Tim Morrow, Greg Denlow, Aaron Yeomans, Andrew Tosolini... What a squad! As I said, it was an honour to lead that side and we made history.
We had never even won a Finals series match in the history of the club, let alone made the Grand Final. We beat Auburn with a clinical display in the Qualifying Final, we beat Lindfield in the most nerve-wracking fashion in the Semi Final, but we fell short in the Grand Final. It was pleasing to top-score with 46 in that game, and pleasing that we did better than anyone else before but I still regularly think to myself that was the one that got away; an Under 24's Premiership as Captain. 2nd Grade also made finals that year for the first time in many years, but fell at the first hurdle. Pete Saliba, what a guy to have around the club. 2009/10 exceeded my experiences of 2006/07, especially in my personal life as I met the woman who is now my wife. My future lay in Australia, and as a one-club man I knew where that would mean my cricket would be.
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Paul Clift and Glen "Linus" McFadden, my Groomsmen
whom I would not know if it was not for MUCC. |
Between 2010 and my permanent move to Australia in 2013, much changed at MUCC including but not limited to the club colours. In line with Macquarie University, the club had to change from green and gold to red and grey, with a new leaf logo. Pete Saliba had now taken over as President, and not 24 hours after I arrived in Sydney he called me and asked me to be on the committee. I gladly accepted, this club has given me so much I felt it would only be right for me to contribute. The very survival of the club seems to face annual peril, and this became clearer to me upon joining in with discussions but although many of the stalwarts of the club were no longer involved, of the remaining ones it's the same individuals that are making the effort for the club to survive.
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The man I respect most in my
cricketing life; David Elphick of
Bovey Tracey CC. My first coach, mentor,
and biggest supporter. Thank you, Dave! |
A 3rd Grade Premiership in 2013/14 was a superb effort, however none of the top four Grades have made it to a Grand Final since. Save for a couple of Finals appearances, it has been a struggle for the club on the field in the last few seasons. However, the Club itself is still so special. Of course, it would be great to have Premierships every year however these struggles can put things into perspective. I hope the Club is as important to the rest of the members as it is to me, and I hope everyone else has the desire I do to make our Club great again despite all the hurdles that are continually placed in our way by various sources. It is vital that the members stick together to see the club through tough patches as it is the key to success.
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Captain of 2nd Grade in 2013/14 and
2014/15 was a huge challenge |
At Bovey Tracey Cricket Club, my dream since I was 14 years old was to have my name on all three columns of our Honours Board; President, Chairman and 1st XI Captain. By the time I left in 2012 aged 26 that obviously hadn't happened, but at MUCC I have a similar dream to fulfill. Having previously Captained Under 24's and 2nd Grade, in August 2017 I was appointed 1st Grade Captain and Vice President, two roles which I see as a huge privilege. My vision for the Club is to get us back to being a large group of united members in the same way as I remember in 2006/07 and 2009/10. I believe the Club must come first over and above any personal expectations.
Club Over Self Every Time has to be the ethos of everyone at the club. This is the only way that we can raise the Club to the heights of Premiership winners again.
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Presentation Night 2017: Amrish Bhatia presents me
with a Pewter for my 2016/17 season. |
From a personal point of view, I had my best season to date in 2016/17 with two hundreds and three fifties. One of the hundreds was scored on the day I found out my paternal Grandmother had passed away, against Auburn, in a match that ended as a tie. I remain very good friends with Moe Dewji from Auburn, this game cemented that respect. My Captain that season was Amrish Bhatia, whose
support and encouragement throughout his time as 2nd Grade captain was absolutely invaluable. It is almost impossible to state, guess or quantify the friendships this club has given to me and many others who have worn the shirt.
This club has given me the life I have today. While that may not be the case for all of you, I think it is important to understand the value of what the club has given you and put something back in. How many of your team-mates are now your mates outside of cricket too? How many people have you met through cricket that you would not know otherwise? The time is now for you to get involved with the club. Believe me, the hard work is worth it when we all eventually win together but that will be so much more difficult if you just want to rock up at the weekend and play. Please pour your heart and soul into this club, I promise when you do the effort will be worth it. We're building something here this season, and it could be the start of something great. I want you to be a part of it.
I am so thankful for the existence of MUCC. It's given me a life, Macquarie University CC... and I love the club.
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| Proud to be 1st Grade Captain of a Club that has given me the life I know today |
