Dale McKay is a Hawkesbury junior who made his first grade debut during the 2008/09 season and has so far scored 5,195 first grade runs at an average of 31.29 with 4 centuries and 35 half centuries.
Dale has the honour of being Hawkesbury first grade captain for the 2020/21 season.
Trussworx is a proud sponsor of Hawkesbury Cricket Club
Welcome Dale,
Firstly, what year you were born?
Born in Penrith 1992.
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Playing for Wilberforce under 10s at McQuade Parkk in Kurrajong. I bowled two overs and got run out because I had to use the kit bat which was too small!
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I'm a Hawkesbury boy and always will be, playing local and representative cricket all the way from 10s to 16s. Progressing into green shield then into grade cricket. Represented NSW U17s and U19s, then got a game for NSW futures league in 2013. I made 50 on debut but never got another game so not sure what happened there.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I played 5th grade for half a season when I was 15 or so, making a pair and taking a 5 fa in my first game of grade!
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
My actual debut was when I was 16 as I came in as a sub for Peter Forrest. After fielding in 2nd grade in the first week I went up first grade and fielded all day again. DNB and DNB.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Top order batsman and if you speak to anyone I’ve played a lot with will they’ll tell you that not many runs are scored in front of point, but I’ve definitely expanded my game in the last few years.
What’s been your highest score in first grade cricket in Sydney?
As always for the Hawks, my highest first grade score came 2 seasons ago against Randwick, 137 at Petersham Oval
Dale reaches 50 against Bankstown in 2016
What been your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Still to the day my best grade figures were on my debut in 5th grade when I took 5 wickets.
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
In my first few years of first grade there was a great stock of fast bowlers going around. Tim Lang from UNSW was always a nightmare to face for mine as he used to angle the ball into me and not to mention he was about 6 foot 6. The other two that come to mind are Josh Lalor who is still playing and Cameron Nupier from Cambelltown. Both bowled fast back then and made things really uncomfortable.
Who have been the best three spinners you have played against?
Jason Krejza would have to be one. He played a few seasons when I first started and was always hard to get to and score off. The other two would be Anthony Clark (Fairfield) and Jarrod Burke (Bankstown, Cambelltown) who both hardly bowled you a bad ball and made life difficult by not giving you an inch.
Who has been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Few that stand out here. David Dawson, who I roomed with in my futures league game was quality and scored consistent runs for a long time.
Nick Larkin is another. Quality batsman for a long time and progressed now into shield cricket and doing really well there.
Last one would be Phil Wells who has just finished up I think. He’s been a run machine for a long time and was always a nightmare to get out.
David Dawson
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Years ago we played against Ben Dunk at Bensons Lane in a two day game. We managed just over 200 from memory and he honestly came out and took the piss and smashed a 100 off about 50 balls. It was some of the cleanest striking I’ve ever seen.
Has there been any bowler in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted to get the better of them?
Always had good battles with Anthony Clark. He always got stuck into me which made the juices flow. I was on the receiving end of some good sledges which I’ll touch on in another question.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Would have to be David Dawson, quality keeper.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
I’ve played most of my grade career with Shane Mott. Left arm quick who I’m great mates with and his attitude and drive to win is like non other. I loved playing with him.
The other would be another good mate of mine who I played a lot with and now play, Josh Clarke. Very professional approach to what he does and his numbers speak for themselves.
Shane Mott
You’ve played 10 or 11 seasons of first grade cricket. Has premier Cricket in NSW changed much in that time and if so, how?
It’s changed a lot since I started. It’s a lot nicer now, (haha). I remember absolutely dreading playing a few certain sides as you knew that you were just going to cop it. There also definitely not as many genuinely fast bowlers going around. It might be because they all got sick of bowling on Sydney Highways. The quality I would say has fallen slightly but it’s still a great standard.
What are your goals for this season, have Hawkesbury recruited any new players and what areas do Hawkesbury need to improve to play finals cricket this season?
We did really well in the T20 competition last season so I hope we do well again this season. Our two day form is my main priority this year. We have some really good young blokes around the club at the moment and there’ll be plenty of opportunity to earn spots.
Who’s been the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
I played over 100 matches under Jay Dyball at Hawkesbury. He loved the club and did whatever he could to win. Still a great mate and they were great times playing together.
Who’s been your funniest team mate?
Tom Decent. Anyone that knows Tom knows why.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
As I alluded to ina previous answer we were playing Fairfield years ago when I was still pretty fresh in 1st grade. Anthony Clark came onto bowl and I probably squirted one through point as I do and he yelled at me, “Where the f… are you from, Freemans Reach?” It was very funny, he’s a good guy and we had many great battles.
Anthony Clark
Who was your childhood hero?
Anyone who was in that amazing Australian team of the 1990s and 2000s. Ponting, Langer, Hayden, Clarke, take your pick.
Who’s been the biggest influence on your cricket career?
Easy one, Dad. My love of cricket comes from him and we’ve both been with the hawks for life so it’s pretty cool.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Lionel Messi, Lebron James and Sachin Tendulker
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Has to be the combo of Benaud, Lawry, and Greig.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
I love the banter with teammates, and because cricket goes for such a long time when you win a game its very satisfying. It’s also a hard to game to master which I think is why I keep coming back.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
There’s been some good ones but probably last season when we won the Thunder conference in the T20 competition which meant we booked a ticket to play in Adelaide at the national championships.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Shane Mott, Tom Decent, Ben Trevor Jones.
What are your hobbies?
Besides cricket I love my golf. I don’t get to have a hit as much anymore as I’ve got a little 5 month old girl who is the best thing ever.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Not so much one thing in particular but I have drawn lots of different bits of advice over the years and for me, I don’t take things to seriously and try to enjoy whatever I’m doing at the time, whether it be work or cricket.
What is your current occupation?
Carpenter with my own business but also work for a Frame and Truss company as an estimator.
Let’s give your employer a plug, who do you work for?
So my own company is carpentry based and is named Valley Projects. The Frame and Truss company is called Trussworx and between the two they keep me very busy.
Dale McKay batting highlights from 2019/20
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