Dylan Connell joined Gordon and made his first grade debut in 2000. In 11 seasons Dylan took 294 first grade wickets at an average of 24.74 with best bowling of 6 for 27. He took 5 wickets in an innings on 11 occasions
Let’s find out more about Dylan’s journey in the game.
Dylan Connell
What year you were born?
1977
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
My first game was for Gordon East public school in their junior team. Both the junior and senior teams played the opposition school on the same oval at the same time. The senior teams got use of the pitch so our “pitch” was stumps stuck straight in the outfield somewhere. I opened the batting and the bowling. Pretty sure extras was always the leading scorer for both teams as runs were hard to come by.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Up until the age of 18 I only played cricket through school. Firstly for Gordon East Public and then Shore, where the highest grade I played was Thirds. I was an opening bowler and middle, lower order batsmen. I played Churches cricket with my cousin, first year out of school. Attending Sydney University I played interfaculty cricket for Science. Economics had the then current Sydney University 1st grade opening bowler playing for them (Adair Durie).
He spoke to me after the game and said I should give grade cricket a crack. My Dad had been saying the same thing so at the start of the next season, 1996/97 I trialled for Sydney Uni.
I played for Uni for 4 seasons. I had friends playing for Gordon and when I had finished my studies, they and Gordon approached me to play for them. It ended up being a fairly easy decision as I was living locally as well. I went on to play for Gordon for 11 years before retiring from Grade cricket. I played locally for Kissing Point for 3 seasons after that, before hanging up the boots.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
My first game of grade cricket was for Sydney Uni in 4th Grade at the age of 19. We played Fairfield/Liverpool at Fairfield Oval. It was a bit wet, as I was about to deliver the ball it slipped out the back of my hand and hit the umpire between the eyes. He was alright and in my next over he gave me an LBW decision that was my first grade wicket.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I was in my first year at Gordon, pretty sure I was 23. We played Eastern Suburbs at Waverley oval. A team that included Anthony Stuart (Fresh off an ODI hat trick and Greg Matthews). If I remember it was rain affected, we bowled first. I didn’t take a wicket but bowled well, finished was 0-15 off 7 I think. The Dolphins got 140 odd off 35. We were bowled out for about 120, I was last man out for 6 I think.
Anthony Stuart
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Opening bowler and a slogging tail ender.
What were your strengths as a player?
My biggest strength was the fact I would give everything I had on the field. I always wanted the ball in my hand, I would lead from the front as an opening bowler.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
I scored a few half centuries in 3rd grade at Sydney Uni, think my highest was 60.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I took 6 for 20 odd a few times for Gordon in 1st grade. I managed to take 10 wickets in a match for the Gordon 1st grade side twice, including against Sutherland in 1st Grade where a bloke by the name of Steve Smith made his 1st grade debut.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
I was lucky (unlucky enough) to play against a number of very good fast bowlers.
For me the best three I played against were Brett Lee, Shoaib Akhtar and Waqar Younis.
Lee and Akhtar both played for Mosman, thankfully we didn’t have to face them in the same game. We played Mosman in Akhtar’s first match for them. The press were around and the pitch was soft. Somehow we survived day one, 6 down (off about 75 overs I think). Day 2, Saturday a week later I had the pleasure of facing a fresh Akhtar with the 2nd new ball in his hand. My batting partner (Ed Zelma) decided that charging Akhtar and getting a single was a good idea. So there I am, facing the fastest bowler in the world, with steam coming out of his ears. Somehow I squirted off my pad into the legside and made it down the other end.
Lee was also very quick, just watching him bowl was impressive.
Younis was playing for North Sydney, the swing and control at the pace he bowled was amazing. Until I met him in person I didn’t realise how physically built he is, certainly not your traditional tall, skinny fast bowler.
Waqar Younis
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Greg Matthews, Stuart MacGill, Nathan Hauritz. Playing against Mo was just fun, you never knew what you would get and when he was on the dip and flight he put on the ball was amazing. MacGill just turned the ball so far, you could pretty much hear the ball fizzing through the air when you faced him. Haurtiz amazing flight like Mo, the subtle variations were impressive.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Tough question, there is a long list of very good batsmen I played against. Probably Marvan Atapattu, Kevin Pietersen and Grant Lambert
Marvan was the captain of the Sri Lankan test team at the time and came to Australia a bit early to get some game time prior to the start of a test series. St George managed to pick him up (it may have only been for the one game). On a pretty flat wicket at Hurstville, he batted for a long period, he may have scored 100 I actually don’t remember, but what I do remember was how solid his defence was and the way he went about compiling an innings. Standing at the top of my mark I was regularly asking myself how I was going to get him out, which I never did.
Pietersen arrived to play a few games for my old club, Sydney Uni. We played against them on Uni No 1 in what was his first game for the club. I had taken a wicket and he walked out to the crease. His first ball in Sydney Grade cricket he edged only for our keeper to grass what was pretty reasonable chance. He was such a unique player, he found ways to hit balls all around the ground and he really was the first player I saw that was a true 360 player as such.
Grant Lambert dominated Sydney 1st grade for years. To me he was always the biggest challenge, you had to dismiss him early as once he was in he was capable of anything.
Kevin Pietersen
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
There is one match that comes to mind, we were playing Fairfield -Liverpool at Chatswood Oval. We won the toss and batted. Beau Casson scored 200 plus out of over 400 for Gordon. His innings was flawless.
On day two Fairfield had some early luck before Grant Lambert also went on to score 200 plus and get them home in the last few overs. Was an amazing match where both teams scored well over 400 with a double century in both innings.
Grant Lambert
Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Tough question as most bowlers caused me all sorts of problems. I remember playing Nathan Bracken early on in my 1st grade career. He was such a tall, left arm bowler which I really did not enjoy.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
Probably my first game of 1st game of first grade against Easts at Waverley. They had two Australian Bowlers in their attack Anthony Stuart (who had recently taken an ODI hat trick) and Greg Matthews plus some seriously seasoned first grade cricketers. I just remember feeling nervous and excited that I would be playing against these guys not just watching them on TV.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Probably Peter Nevill. Such a clean keeper, looked like he had so much time and could bat as well.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Ed Zelma was a bloke who wore his heart on his sleeve, one of the most competitive guys I have ever played with or against (had the fortune of doing both), probably not the most skilled but left nothing out there.
In terms of skill it would have to be Beau Casson. The season he got picked for Australia he bowled some spells that were basically unplayable. It was a lot of fun being on the field and watching the batsmen trying to guess what he ball was going to do.
Beau Casson
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
I had the pleasure of playing under James Rodgers in my first couple of seasons of grade cricket at Sydney Uni. A true leader of men on the field and a genuinely nice guy.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Brendan “Stffy” McDonald. Nickname originated from the “Stiffmeister” in American Pie. A genuinely loose unit who would also do pretty much anything for you. His sledging/comments on the field were hilarious and his weekend exploits off the field always provided great entertainment.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
For some reason one year there was a competition going to see who had the biggest head in the grade cricket. There were 3 measurements taken which were added together to give a final number. I have a rather large head as does Moises Henriques. So we were playing St George at Hurstville and after getting an early wicket, Moises walked out to bat, as he approached the square Brendan McDonald piped up with “Battle of the melons here lads. I’m backing our melon over their melon”. I think everyone lost it for a minute.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
Against Bankstown, Brendan McDonald was 90 odd when I came out to bat. I had been doing my best from the other end and he had crept along to 98. Scott Thompson started bouncing me and instead of leaving it, took a wild swing and edged it to the keeper leaving BMac stranded on 98*. Still think about it today
Who was your childhood hero?
Not sure there was one in particular but any of the Aussie quicks, McDermott, Hughes etc. Also admired Jason Gillespie.
Craig McDermott
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Lionel Messi, Clive Lloyd and Usain Bolt
Clive Lloyd
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Probably have two from different eras. Richie Benaud and Isha Guha
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Chatswood Oval, home ground, very fond of it.
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Sydney Uni. Was my first grade club. Was always extra motivation for me against them. Plus they always had a fairly strong side.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Playing and unfortunately losing the 1st grade grand final. 3 days of good, hard cricket.
James Packman (left) and Dylan Connell walking off after Gordon was dismissed in the 2007/08 grand final loss to St George
Gordon District Cricket Club first grade team
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
The semi and preliminary finals the year we lost the grand final. Beat Sydney Uni at Uni first and then Randwick-Petersham at Chatswood. Both were star studded sides.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Brendan McDonald, Adair Durie and Ed Howitt
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Be yourself (pretty sure it was James Rodgers)
What is your occupation?
I work for the NSW Government managing a third of Sydney’s road network.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Not really, play the odd game but that’s about it.
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?
1st Grade Premier Cricket has to remain strong, It if the lifeblood of the sport. Secondly reward efforts and results not ability. Too many players are getting picked on perceived ability not performance.
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