This Q&A with Gareth Wyatt is proudly sponsored by Capital Edge
Mark O’Sullivan played his cricket with great enthusiasm and determination. A team mate first and foremost who hated losing. He’s a premiership winning player.
Let’s find out more about Mark’s journey in the game.
What year you were born?
1968
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I think I was 9 playing under 12s. I don’t think I batted or bowled for the season, but I still loved it!
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I started at Seaford. When I was 12, I went to boarding school at “Rupertswood” home of the Ashes. Played for school and Sunbury CC. Spent a couple of seasons at Parkfield, back to Seaford for 7/8 years, Somerville for 9 years then finished my time at Frankston Heat. Played 2 seasons in England as well.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
That would be Sunbury CC at about 14 years of age. They let me play in the 4ths for the year with all the young guys which was great fun. A couple of years later a few of us were playing in a 1sts Premiership.
What was the highest grade you played and can you remember what you were feeling when you were selected and how did you perform on debut?
I’d say Premier 2nds. I was Captain at Frankston Heat and shared my 2nds debut with Scott Boland, who promptly ran me out!
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Started off as a keeper, became a stodgy batsman and ended up an off spinner who bowled pretty straight.
What were your strengths as a player?
I never thought I had much skill but I was pretty determined, generally a quick learner and absolutely hated losing.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
It was 129 for Somerville v Main Ridge.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Took 7-35 for NewHartley in England.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Former Aussie bowler Chris Matthews played for a rival club in England. He was a big left armer who swung it a mile at pace.
Les Pimm- wasn’t fast but just used to get me out for fun back in the old 2 piece days!
Had some good battles with Chris Robson and Terry Doyle.
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Another English player Rami Verma a crafty leggie. A magician.
Paul Bradley- an incredible talent.
3 left arm spinners -
Simon Reid 9 first XI games for Somerville for 2 flags
Tim Birch- great control and discipline.
Ken Broughill a fantastic spinner who barely bowled a bad ball.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
John Hille- I wished I could bat like him!
Rob Bedford- was one of the best players at picking up length I’ve seen. His brother Peter was a fantastic player as well!
Stella Jackson- was someone I always admired. Legend!
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
John Darcy hit 140 odd against a very good Karingal attack when rain halted play in the 32nd over!!
Wasn’t playing but Luke Walkers 70 odd against a Test attack in the Premier Grand Final was as courageous an innings as you could get.
Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Yep pretty much every training session at Frankston where you were facing- Darren Groves, Jimmy Miller, Jayde Herrick, Brett Harrop etc. I soon learned to get the hell out of those nets!!
Darren Groves
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Craig Black was fantastic and a very handy bat!
Dave Anderson didn’t miss much and was always fun to play with.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
We use to have a lot of battles with Craig Symons. He was everything I wasn’t: tall, athletic, smashed the ball and bowled with pace and bounce.
John Harrison is still as competitive as ever. Last week hit a 6 to win the match then instead of coming off to an ovation started walking around picking up the cones. Boss move!
Paul Hartle, Paul Bradley, Bart, Gav Lorraine, Russ Wilkes, Shane Mc Cauley, Glenn Lothian, Simon Burt, Dean Surkitt, Darren Kerr, Chris Dew, Warren Patterson were all team mates who were as competitive as they come. Sure I’ve missed a few!
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
I was lucky enough to have some great captains at Sunbury and Somerville but I think Mark Brittain was sensational and taught me how to look at the game in a different light.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Paul Triffet, Chris Robson, Glen Lothian, Chris Lanting, The Donnelly boys, Andy Hunter, Chris Leaf, Jason Gilbert, The Doc, Josh Trevitt.... I’ve been lucky!
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Not an exchange but I once saw Dave Anderson take a spectacular diving catch 1st ball after tea! Never seen a guy so upset! He’d dived onto his barbecue shapes that he’d squirrelled away for the afternoon.
Who was your childhood hero?
I loved Allan Border and Martin Crowe!
Martin Crowe
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Michael Jordan
Cathy Freeman
Alan Shearer
Cathy Freeman
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Loved Bill Lawry, now days Ricky Ponting and Isha Guha.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Loved playing at Main Ridge. In England Warkworth was an amazing ground with a castle as its backdrop. Scarborough was fantastic as well.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Definitely winning the Premiership v Main Ridge at Somerville for our mate Derek Binns! Simon Burt and I took his medal to his hospital. His face lit up when we gave it to him. He passed away a few hours later and was buried with his medal. They say cricket’s just a game!
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Probably as a young guy for Sunbury we played Bacchus Marsh in the Grand Final, who were an incredible team filled with stars. We were massive underdogs but everyone did their bit to cause the biggest upset I was involved in.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Gavin Lorraine, Glenn Lothian, the Reid boys-Simon, Dave and Chris. Always very entertaining.
What are your hobbies?
Well I’m spending a lot of time coaching which I enjoy. Been at BP 5 years and back at Seaford. Lucky enough to spend a lot of time with the great Dave McClean!
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Nothing great is accomplished without enthusiasm.
What’s your occupation?
Primary Sports teacher
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
I think we need to look at how we encourage and promote volunteers in cricket. They are the group that makes the wheels turn!
Providing the best possible coaching for juniors!
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