I've played at great clubs in Sydney, Victoria, Adelaide, and there hasn't been one like Manly. The number of people who love and work hard for the club is extraordinary.
They’ve got a social media “group” made up of maybe 15 players. They all get a certain job and they pull it together. And it's as well run - even better run - than professional, first class cricket organisations. The club is a blueprint for other clubs to show what you can do with motivated, committed people. It takes a lot of work. But the volunteers are unreal.
And so are the players. When I was asked to come up with a Best XI there were several I was torn leaving out, like Luke Edgell, Justin Cox, Jack Ritchie and Ben King. But you can only fit in eleven, and I think I've got a pretty good one. And the best thing about these guys – they’re good people. Exceptional cricketers and people.
It’s a pretty good XI…
1. James Crosthwaite
My brother had four years with us and kept banging out hundreds. Two innings stand out. There was an unbelievable ton at Manly against UNSW in a T20 [below]. The other was his 190 against North Sydney at North Sydney Oval. He could’ve got three hundred. He batted unbelievably. He still claims I ran him out.
2. Cameron Merchant
A very nice bat who's still going and could end up with the most hundreds at the club. One year he was dropped to 2nd grade, came back into firsts and got a hundred against Easts, under the pump. It was a classical, counter-attacking innings. As one of those "influencers" in the world of celebrity TV he makes a very good cricketer.
3. Tim Cruickshank (C)
Obviously. Everyone bangs on about how good Timmy is. And he is! Scored 175 in a record third-wicket partnership of 301 with Cam Merchant (125). Scored a double-century, one of only five in the club’s history. It was against Sydney and our old mate Ian Wheeler, one time 'keeper for us. They're good mates and it was nice for Timmy to whack 'em. Top captain, top cricketer. And a real competitor. He batted top of the order and loved the challenge of the new ball. He relished the challenge of quick bowling, and revelled in the short stuff. He loved it. Bottom line: superstar.
4. Ahillen Beadle
To win the O’Reilly Medal in a premiership year is pretty special. The year before that he got a hundred against Penrith which had Pat Cummins, Josh Lalor, and it was his junior club. It was one of the best innings you’ll ever see. And he can bowl and field. Probably one of the best club cricketers never to play for NSW.
5. Jay Lenton (wk)
Few years ago the club came to me and said we’ve got an opportunity to give the gloves to a new young 'keeper. And I wasn’t too impressed about giving them up. But when I heard it was Jay, a quality player, I was more than happy. To work with him has been great. He's a model citizen and cricketer. He tries hard, trains hard. He's a competitor. He's tall for a 'keeper but he’s worked so hard and now he's played for NSW, for Sydney Thunder. And he’s captain of our club. And everyone loves him. I always wondered who might come through and take the gloves off me. For it to be Jay, couldn’t be happier. Part of the premiership side. Top bloke. And just a very, very good cricketer.
6. Ben Davis
Opened the batting with him once against Bankstown, we put on 161 of which I made 62. He went to belt 212 not out and win us the game. Just a clean striker of the ball. We were very lucky to have him. Then the retired. Then he un-retired. Now he’s captain of Northern Districts. Class player.
7. Steve O’Keefe
To watch him play Test cricket as a mate and a team-mate was magnificent. For Manly he's taken an 8-fer. And every time he comes back to play for us he's always on. He’s split his webbing four times. Another time he did his calf. But he always comes back and competes, does his best. For him to be around the club, a guy who's played Test cricket, is pretty special.
8. Andrew Lindsay
"Billy" was the dominant bowler at the start of my time with Manly. He played a bit of NSW second XI. He was a guy that a captain could trust to bowl well whenever he was thrown the ball. He was one of the best to come through Manly. He's still giving back, playing down the grades.
9. Jackson Bird
Bit like SOK - to have a guy like him around the club lifts everyone. Got six-fer in a quarter final against St George that we lost. He was unplayable. I reckon that was when Tassie looked at him, took him down and got him a contract. And then he became a Test cricketer, this Manly junior. To get him back from Bankstown, Andrew Fraser, Timmy, myself, Shawn Bradstreet, we all wanted him back and still consider it a bit of a coup to get him. And the club's very proud that we helped a local junior kickstart a first class and Test career.
10. Mickey Edwards
He rocked up as a 14-year-old, really tall, long blonde surfie hair. Worked hard. Big heart. And you could tell: special talent. Always said: you can’t teach them be tall but you can teach them to bowl. Mickey listens, works hard. Everyone who knows him hopes he’ll stay on the path because if he keeps going upwards, sky's the limit. He's played for the Sixers. A start with NSW in first class cricket can't be far off. If he could get a good run at, he’s someone you don’t want to face.
11. Nick McLachlan
Six-foot left-armer. He took a 5-fer in the quarter-final against Sydney Uni when we won the comp, and was massively instrumental the whole season. Skilful bowler. Very good at reverse swing. Very good slower ball. Very good full stop.
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