Mark Atkinson left NSW at the beginning of the 1991/92 season to play cricket in Tasmania without a contract or a promise. By February that season he was selected to make his first class debut for Tasmania to play Pakistan.
An excellent gloveman and very effective batsman Atkinson proceeded to carve out a tremendous first class career during a successful era for Tasmanian cricket.
After 95 first class games Atkinson holds the record for the most number of dismissals for Tasmania with 290 dismissals – 261 catches and 29 stumpings.
He scored 2,735 runs at an average of 31.80 which included 9 x 50s with his highest score 76 not out.
Such was Atkinson’s talent he was selected for Australia A to play the touring England team in 1994/95. A team that included Damien Martyn as captain, Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Greg Blewett, Stuart Law, Gavin Robertson, Paul Reiffel, Merv Hughes and Jo Angel.
Atkinson also played a number of one day games for Australia A.
In Sydney Premier/Grade Cricket Atkinson took 355 dismissals – 302 catches and 53 stumpings. He scored 6,679 runs at an average of 38.83 hitting 12 centuries and 28 fifties.
In Tasmania Premier/Grade Cricket Atkinson took 161 dismissals – 133 catches and 28 stumpings. He scored 4,349 runs at an average of 50.57 which included 10 centuries and 28 fifties.
All up in Premier/Grade Cricket Mark Atkinson took 516 dismissals – 435 catches and 81 stumping’s and scored 11,028 runs included 22 centuries and 56 half centuries.
Mark Atkinson was born to keep and he did brilliantly.
Welcome Mark,
Where were you born and in what year?
North Sydney, 1969
Do you remember your first ever game of cricket?
Yes, I was 9 playing for Holy Cross, Ryde vs Gladesville Uniting at Weil Park, Woolwich. I remember my Mum Nancy and my grandmother Ella came to watch. I hit my first ball for four on my way to 20 (all boundaries!). Got over excited and got out!
Where did you play your junior cricket?
Gladesville District Cricket Association. Holy Cross, Ryde U/10 and U/12 and Gladesville Ravens U/14.
Which clubs have you played for?
At grade level and in order Balmain, Petersham-Marrickville, Northern Districts (Sydney), Newtown, Lindisfarne (Tasmania), Balmain (again), Blacktown, Manly, UTS Balmain/Sydney and Gordon. Played league cricket in the UK Eagley (as overseas amateur) and Ferguslie, Glasgow High School and West of Scotland (as a professional in Scotland).
How old were you when you first played grade cricket?
14 at Balmain.
What age did you make your first grade debut?
16 for Balmain
What prompted the move from NSW to Tasmania?
I was looking for an opportunity to play first-class cricket. Steve Rixon (NSW Coach) called Tasmania on my behalf in 1990-91 and the response was that they don’t need a wicketkeeper as they already had Richard Soule, Tim Coyle and Joe Holyman. He called again in 1991-92 and they said the same again. I went anyway!
What was your highest score in Sydney First Grade?
200 not out. Northern District vs Fairfield 1991-92.
What was your highest score in First Class Cricket?
76 not out Tasmania vs South Australia 1994-95.
Who was the fastest bowler you kept to?
Simon Cook and Greg Rowell bowled very quick in the Prime Ministers XI vs England 1994-95, Wayne Holdsworth in my NSW Colts/2nd XI days, Josh Marquet and Mark Ridgway could get them through at times for Tasmania and Gerard Denton was very slippery at times.
Simon Cook
Who was the best spinner you kept to?
Colin Miller. ‘Funky’ always had a great slower ball which was the foundation for his off-breaks. Powerfully spun off-breaks that pinned the batsmen in the crease with great shape. ‘Funky’ broke the Sheffield Shield record with 67 wickets in the 1997-98 Sheffield Shield season.
Who were the best three bowlers you had the pleasure to keep to?
Chris Matthews, Colin Miller and Shaun Young.
Big ‘Squachy’ Matthews could do anything, bowl with the new ball, old ball and was always dangerous and never to be underestimated. He took over 100 first-class wickets in the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons on a very, very flat Bellerive Oval, just outstanding.
Colin ‘Funky’ Miller took 70 first-class wickets in 1997-98 (he has a tattoo to prove it!) with a cocktail of seam and off-spin and was just brilliant.
Shaun ‘China’ Young was a top all-rounder and a very fine medium pacer in his own right. He could bustle them through, was very accurate and could swing and seam the ball.
You played for Australia A, what was the highlight of that experience?
The opportunity to play with and against some truly great players (Australia A – Langer, Hayden, Ponting, Martyn, Hughes, Reiffel), Australia (Boon, Waugh.S, Waugh.M, McGrath, Warne) England (Gooch, Stewart, Gough, Atherton and Gatting) and those are just the one I can remember!
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Rather than a single moment I enjoyed my whole career, ups, and downs. I played in a wonderful era of Australian cricket throughout the 1990’s, with fantastic teammates and opponents.
Who’s been the biggest influence in your cricket career?
I really owe everything to my mum and dad Nancy and Neville, I was very lucky to have such great parents. Phil Loxely my coach at Gladesville Ravens was a great support and guide in my formative years. Special mention to Alan Campbell who has been a great mentor and coach to so many players.
Who was the funniest cricketing team mate?
Matt Todd (Gordon and Manly). Toddy was a very fine leg-spinner with a great slider, who could slog at number 10. He has a very dark (black) sense of humour. Jamie Sullivan (Wests and Manly) a wily medium pacer and aggressive batsmen was also very funny. I had some laughs with those two. Mark Ridgway did a lap on the SCG in his undies during a washed a day 1998-98, equal parts funny and bizarre.
Who was the most annoying team mate?
Anyone who smoked! Always hated it. In my first Sheffield Shield game, they gave out cartoons of Benson and Hedges cigarettes!
Who is your favourite all time cricketer?
Allan Border when I was growing up, I loved the way he stood up to the West Indies in the 1980’s, just brilliant.
As a player Darren Berry, ‘Chuck’ was one of the best wicketkeeper I saw, a wicketkeepers wicketkeeper. He was brilliant standing back and stand-up, could do it all. Very competitive and a handy lower order batsman. It’s fair to say ‘Chuck’ played the game very hard yet fair and a terrific bloke.
What was the best win you were involved in?
All wins a special to me, that’s why you play. However, I’ll narrow it down to 4!
Tasmania vs NSW 1993-94 at Bellerive Oval. We chased 294 to win on the late on the last day. Steve Waugh made 190, Colin Miller 7-83, Dene Hills 158 and 68.
Tasmania vs Victoria 1997-98 at Bellerive Oval. We chased 400 batting last, Dene Hills (again) made 205 and kicked off a winning streak of 6 consecutive Sheffield Shield games.
NSW vs Tasmania 1997-98 at SCG. We won by 80 runs. Dan Marsh took a career best 7-57 in the first innings, Boonie made typically patient 60’s in both innings and Mark Ridgway 6-50 and Colin Miller 3-98 bowled them out on day 4.
NSW vs Tasmania 1999-200 at the SCG. We won by 101 runs after being 5-13 in the first innings. Don Nash 7-39 was nearly unplayable and Brett Lee bowled very, very rapidly at the other end. Dan Marsh made a match wining 104 in our second innings and Andrew Downton bowled them out taking 6-56 on debut.
If you’re in the middle seat of the middle row of Qantas QF1flight to London which team-mates would you choose to on your left and right?
If it’s 1st class I don’t care!
Did you have any cricketing superstitions?
Most of them got thrown out the older I got, except for left pad on first!
Most favourite ground to play at?
All of the main first-class venues were brilliant in my day SCG, Gabba, WACA, MCG, Bellerive, Adelaide. They all had a distinct character and diverse of conditions which was great for developing well rounded players.
Who was the fastest bowler you ever faced?
Brett Lee (NSW vs Tasmania at the SCG 1999-2000) bowled like the wind and Don Nash took 7-39 at the other end!
It ended up being a good win to the Tigers, we were 5 for 13 early on day and came back to win by 101 runs.
Who was the best spinner you played against?
Shane Warne, although we didn’t see him much in the 1990’s at Sheffield Shield level. Stuart MacGill on the SCG was a real test, as was David Freedman. Tim May was also very good. Kumar Dharmasena on a turning wicket in Launceston (1995-96) was hard work. Paul Adams from South Africa (1997-98) was hard to pick when I first came in. The South Africans were amused to discover a first class player shorter than Paul Adams!
What’s the best advice you ever received?
Control the controllables!
Are you still involved in Cricket and if so, in what capacity?
I’m coaching in grade cricket at the moment
What advice would you offer a young 13 year old, especially a young wicket keeper who has the ambition of playing test cricket?
Aim to be the world’s best – don’t set your goals too low!
What are your hobbies?
Keeping fit, playing guitar, travel, reading
What is your occupation?
Real Estate Sales
You may as well give your employer a plug, who do you work for?
Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general?
Don’t take life too seriously and be on time.
Highlights of Mark Atkinson 25 not out playing for Australia A against England 1994/95
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