Sydney Grade Cricket is a cricket competition played in Sydney, Australia. It has been described as "the most competitive form of Cricket in the world outside first class cricket." [1] The competition began in 1893 when a number of clubs, which had been playing for many years on an ad hoc basis, voted to create a formal competition structure. [2]
This competition has grown substantially and by the 2007/08 season, the Sydney Grade Cricket Competition encompasses 20 clubs. Each of the clubs fields a side in each of the 5 grades as well as a side in the Poidevin-Gray Shield and in the AW Green Shield.
Clubs
Clubs in the 2007-08 season of Sydney Grade Cricket are:
- Bankstown - One of the most successful clubs in recent years, home of the Waugh brothers. Other notable players include Jeff Thomson, Len Pascoe and Corey Richards
- Blacktown - Nicknamed the Warriors. Participated in the Sydney Shires Competition before entering the Grade Competition in 2002-2003, have struggled to make a name for themselves. Although, many believe Blacktown to be a force in upcoming years due to increased player signings from other clubs. Home of Australian test off spinner Gavin Robertson and NSW paceman Don Nash.
- Cambelltown-Camden - Nicknamed the Ghosts. Has won three green shield competitions in three consecutive years: 2004-2005, 2005-2006 and 2006-2007
- Eastern Suburbs - Founded as the Waverley Cricket Club in 1894, it changed its name in 1996 to reflect a broader regional basis. Nineteen Australian players have played at the club, including the Gregory brothers, Jack Fingleton, Greg Matthews and Nathan Bracken.[3]
- Fairfield-Liverpool - Nicknamed the Lions. Home of NSW trio Doug Bollinger, Grant Lambert and Ben Rohrer.
- Gordon - The Stags were founded in 1905 and have recently celebrated 100 years of Grade Cricket. The club has six first grade titles. Thirteen players have gone on to represent Australia including Victor Trumper, Bert Oldfield and Adam Gilchrist. Currently the Stags have two contracted NSW players; Matthew Nicholson and Beau Casson. James Packman, who represented NSW in 2004/05, also continues to play for Gordon. Craig Simmons, who represented NSW, played for Gordon from 2005/06 to 2007/08 before returning to WA. Will Smith, a contracted county player, was a member of the 1st Grade side in 2006/07 and returned to Gordon in 2008/09.
- Hawkesbury - Nicknamed the Hawks. Their home grounds of Owen Earl and Bensons Lane 2 and 3 are infamous for the number of mosquito flies and shocking heatwaves that occur. Home of NSW player Peter Forrest.
- Manly Warringah - Founded in 1878, Manly was a foundation club in the Sydney grade competition. It has won the first grade title four times and in 2005-2006 won the club championship title.
- Mosman - Former Australian cricket captain Allan Border is probably the most famous former Mosman player. Also home of Australian test paceman Brett Lee, after playing his junior cricket with Campletown Cambden.
- North Sydney - Formed in 1893, it was a foundation club in the grade competition. The club is based at North Sydney Oval, a regular venue for first class cricket in NSW. Players have included Sir Donald Bradman, Keith Miller and Stan McCabe.[4]
- Northern District - Nicknamed the ND Rangers, Northern District is home of NSW batsman Dominic Thornely, former Sri Lankan International All - Rounder Upul Chandana and former home of Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist.
- Parramatta - Formerly Central Cumberland, the club was founded in 1843 and a foundation member of the grade competition. It claims to be the oldest living club in NSW & second oldest in Australia. Home of Richie Benaud, John Benaud, Doug Walters - winner of 3 First Grade Premierships.
- Penrith - Like the local rugby league team, the Penrith Cricket Club are known as the Panthers. Penrith are currently under the guidance of John Benaud as their head coach. Sri Lankan coach, Trevor Bayliss, played his Sydney Grade Cricket career at Penrith as the 1st Grade Captain.
- Randwick Petersham - Nicknamed the Randy Petes. Home of former international batsman Simon Katich.
- St George - Established in 1911, the club was the home of Sir Donald Bradman and Bill O'Reilly.
- Sutherland - One of the newer clubs in the competition, the Sharks were formed in 1965. It is the home club of Glenn McGrath and Phil Jaques.
- Sydney Cricket Club - A merger in 2007 between the UTS Balmain Cricket Club (a member of Grade Cricket since 1897) and Sydney Cricket Ground Trust has seen the history of Balmain Cricket continue into the 21st Century. Probably the three most famous players from this club are Archie Jackson, Arthur Mailey and Greg Hayne.
- Sydney University - Founded in 1864, it was a foundation member of the grade competition. It has four first grade titles and twenty test players including Tom Garrett, Greg Matthews, Imran Khan, Stuart Clark and Stuart MacGill.[5]
- University of NSW Grade Cricket Club, nicknamed the Bumble Bees. Home to former Test players Geoff Lawson and Michael Slater.
- Western Suburbs - Home of Michael Clarke, Australian test batsman. Ironically another player by the name of Michael Clarke opens the batting for the first grade team. They also have a couple of NSW players. Daniel Smith a wicketkeeper, Phil Hughes who made a century in the pura cup final. Adam Gilchrist also played a few games for the magpies before he moved to WA. Wests have had some notable former Australian players play for them. These players are, Bobby Simpson, Dirk Wellham, Alan Davidson, Greg Dyer, Greg Matthews, Gary Gilmour and Dave Gilbert.
Grade Cricket
The competition consists of 20 clubs who field one side in each of the five grades. In the 1st Grade competition, each side plays every other side over a total of 19 rounds. All other grades play only 15 rounds, thus missing out on playing 4 teams each season. The additional 4 rounds that are played by the 1st Grade sides are generally one day matches that take place on Sundays.
The 2007-2008 season, for all grades, includes 10 two-day matches (generally played on two consecutive Saturdays) and 5 one-day matches. The 1st Grade sides will play an additional two-day match and 3 one-day matches. The 1st Grade Draw can be found here and the 2nd Grade draw, which is identical to the 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade draws, can be found here.
The final series generally consists of Qualifying Finals, Semi-Finals and a Final. These matches are played over two days, with the First Grade Final being played over three days. In the Qualifying Finals, the 1st placed team plays the 6th placed team, 2nd plays 5th and 3rd plays 4th. The three winning teams (or better placed team in the case of a draw) and the best placed losing team go through to the Semi-Finals.
Points are allocated to the teams according to the results of each match. These points go towards the Club Championship which is awarded at the end of the regular season.
All of the current NSW first-class cricket players are selected from their performances in Grade Cricket. This includes those players who also represent Australia although the demands of the international schedule means the Australian players rarely get to play at grade level these days.
First Grade Premiers
- 2007/2008 St George
- 2006/2007 Bankstown
- 2005/2006 Fairfield-Liverpool
- 2004/2005 Sydney University
- 2003/2004 Eastern Suburbs
Poidevin-Gray Shield
The Poidevin-Gray Shield, or PG's as it is more commonly known, comprises teams who represent their grade sides in an Under 21 competition. All points received in this competition go towards the Club Championship. St George has won this competition many times, and are the reigning Premiers.
A W Green Shield
Considered the toughest and most competitive under 16 competition in the world, A W Green Shield, or Greenies as it is more commonly known, comprises teams who represent their grade sides in an Under 16 competition consisting of 7 preliminary rounds, qualifying finals, semi-finals and a grand final. Many of NSW's top cricketers have come through this prestigious competition. All points received in this competition go towards the Club Championship. Parramatta won the 2007/08 title by defeating St George by one run in the Final.
Club Championship
Allocation of Points According to Results
Aggregate of Certain Multiples of Points for Club Championship
Randwick Petersham won the title for the first time in 2007/2008.
See also
External links
