Martin Haywood is a former NSW middle-order batsman who played 13 first-class games and 10 one day games for NSW after making his debut in 1991/92.
In 300 first grade innings in Sydney Martin scored 10,035 runs at an average of 37.86 including 25 hundreds and 50 half-centuries.
Welcome, Martin,
Firstly, what year were you born?
1969
Where did you go the high school?
St Edmunds College, Canberra
Do you remember your first ever game of cricket?
Played up with my brother’s team as they were short. I was next in to bat but the game finished. I was gutted as I didn’t get to bat.
First official innings was 12 not out and we played on current site of the new Parliament House in Canberra for my school team in the Under 10s.
Where did you play your junior cricket?
For the school, St Edmunds College
Which clubs have you played for?
Easts in Canberra then when I moved to Sydney I started at Campbelltown, then Randwick and Mosman. I loved my time very much at each of them but had to leave for different reasons (travel, State selection, and work.)
How old were you when you first played grade cricket?
I was about 15 I reckon and played for Easts 5th grade. I scored a double ton so was moved up a grade or two.
What age did you make your first grade debut?
17 for Easts and 19 when I moved to Sydney and played my first game for Campbelltown.
What is your highest score in first grade?
204 not out for Randwick against Petersham at Petersham Oval. I reckon I was out LBW for 4 to Paul Stepto. Should have walked.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Tough question as I’ve been fortunate to have so many great .memories.
Winning 2nd grade final with Mosman was up there. Playing with Shoaib Akhtar at Hurstville Oval. Winning the Sheffield Shield Final in 1993/94 against Tasmania was great fun and I have some great memories of my time playing in Scotland and England for 6 years.
I have just as much fun playing socially with some mates in a T20 comp at the moment.
The successful NSW team that won the 1993/94 Sheffield Shield. Martin is 2nd on the left standing up
Who’s been the biggest influence in your cricket career?
Another toughie, I could go right back to “Mr Maloney” my school teacher and 1st XI Cricket coach to Neil Fairbrother our professional from Lancashire who played with in Canberra. Greg Lord was my original coach and sent me on my way to playing First Class Cricket.
Barry Knight and Peter Philpott also had a lot of influence as coaches over my time as a player. They both had so much experience and knowledge and loved sharing their ideas.
Who was the funniest cricketing team mate?
Cameron Guthrie (Mosman Wicket Keeper) – brilliant fun as was the whole slip cordon of Shane Lee and Craig Hughes. Hysterical.
Big Fitzy at Randwick was also one of the funniest guys I was lucky to play with as well as Sean Pope
Who is your favourite all time cricketer?
I loved playing with Shane Lee and Richard Chee Quee, and another player who some may remember was Kenny McLeod. Kenny was a big left arm West Indian fast bowler that I played several seasons with in Canberra and Campbelltown. Great fun to play with
If you’re asking who I pretended I was in backyard Cricket – it was the days of Viv Richards and Dennis Lillee.
What was the best win you were involved in?
Was lucky enough to win a few premierships so it wouldn’t be fair to single one out.
From Scotland, to Canberra 1st grade and the 2nd grade GF with Mosman was special but if I had to single one out, The Sheffield Shield win was a great week.
Is there a game that still haunts you?
My worst loss. Being one wicket away from winning the 1st Grade premiership in Sydney.
Mosman hadn’t won in about 50 years and we need one wicket Brett Lee charging in to St Goerge number 11 Robert Smith needing about 15 runs. We lost and it still hurts to come so close!!
A few snicks over slips and one mighty heave over cow corner and game was over in a flash… OUCH.
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?
I’ll stick with Shane Lee and Craig Hughes. Top fun.
Did you have any cricketing superstitions?
Yeah, I was a bit odd like that. Put my left pad on first and a few little things that “apparently” scored me some extra runs!!
Which ground in Sydney club cricket did you enjoy playing at the most?
Loved Allan Border Oval in Mosman and St George’s Hurstville Oval.
Who was the fastest bowler you ever faced?
Brett Lee one day at Campbelltown in the late afternoon was not a lot of fun after I had just left the club – nor was one trip to Pratten Park and face big Dan Horsley, nasty.
Playing for NSW, Carl Rackemann did some damage to a few fingers at the Gabba. He wasn’t super-fast but nasty to face on a greenish wicket.
Who was the best spinner you played against?
Tom Shiner by far, Leg Spinner
What’s the best advice you ever received?
“Go and get a real job”. The same guy also let me know about my weight!!
Are you still involved in Cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Not directly. I am a sports administrator and do have some involvement with Cricket. I still love the game very much but don’t have the time to coach or watch as much as I would like to.
What advice would you offer a young 13 year old who has the ambition of playing test cricket?
Give everything a go, enjoy your team’s successes and the rest will look after itself. I got far too caught up in looking at everyone’s scores and comparing myself and worrying about selections. Big mistake.
What are your hobbies?
Golf, Fishing, Family.
What is your occupation?
Head of Sport at Knox Grammar School in Sydney
Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general?
Just be a good, honest person and do your best.
For the full scorecard from the 1993/94 Sheffield Shield Final click here
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