Cameron Merchant currently plays first grade cricket for Manly Warringah Cricket Club in the NSW Premier Cricket and recently passed 6,000 first grade runs for the club.
He’s won a premiership with Manly, played first grade cricket on the Gold Coast and played 26 First Class and 12 one day games for Northern Districts in New Zealand.
In 49 first class innings Cameron scored 1,445 runs at 30.10 and hit 2 centuries and 8 half-centuries.
Cameron has always been an enthusiastic student of the game and as well as playing for manly he spends a lot of time coaching and helping younger players become better.
Welcome Cameron,
How did you get into cricket?
My first memory of cricket was around 5 years of age batting in the halls at home and outside in our backyard up against the garage with my Dad Rusty. I grew the love for it then
What are your memories of your junior cricket days?
Very first memories of first cricket games were for Forestville playing Kanga Cricket. From there moving into first hard ball games with real pads and bats being able to bat for 4 overs with a partner and retiring with minus 4 every time you would lose a wicket. At that stage I prided myself on retiring with my partner unbeaten, preparing myself and leading into if you’re out you’re out junior cricket. What an exciting yet nervous time
When did you come to grade cricket and how did it come about?
Playing junior cricket with Manly and leading into the path of Grade cricket through Green Shield was my first experience into Grade cricket. I played my first 5TH Grade game for Manly at age 15 in the season of 1999
How did you progress through the grade ranks?
At age 16 my parents moved to the Gold Coast and I was fortunate enough to play my first grade debut for the Gold Coast Dolphins with the likes of Andrew Symonds and Scott Muller.
I gained some amazing experience as a youngster including a First Grade Premiership but then moved back to Sydney and Manly at 20 to continue my Grade cricket career with Manly
Andrew Symonds
Did you have any mentors or coaches who were assisted your cricket and if yes how did they help you?
Yes an early coach by the name of Peter Coombes from Gosford was a huge believer and technical batting coach from age 13.
Mark Atkinson helped me learn that stability and balance is everything! Once I developed this knowledge and skill level then my batting improved. I still teach this basic skill to kids today
Brian Clemow was a mentor and friend that was an Australian U19 cricketer and First Grade cricketer for many years. He was involved in a horrendous car accident and broke his back as a young 20 year old when he was making his way in the cricketing world. He came back to be a very successful and wonderful cricketer for Manly and made me believe no matter what anything was possible.
What were your cricketing ambitions?
To be a professional cricketer, to play for Australia and or funny enough to play for NZ
Did you move to New Zealand to peruse cricketing opportunities?
I moved to NZ to pursue cricketing professional opportunities. My mother is Kiwi and at a time when there was possibilities to become a full time professional it was a wonderful opportunity.
I got a trial with Northern Districts over 1 week and was lucky enough to be asked to stay on and be part of the organisation.
Describe the circumstances the lead up to your first-class selection?
Timing was everything as there was a 2nd XI tournament the following week and I played in that and scored runs to prove I could play and then I joined a club to play club cricket and scored 107 and 143* back to back games to get the call up to make my List A debut and First Class Debut against Otago
What do you remember about your first-class debut?
Was a dream come true and couldn’t have been happier to get a call from the coach Andy Moles to let me know that I have done everything that has been asked and I am going away with the team to make my debut. I was enlightened with joy the dream was coming true from the move and hard work I’d put in to achieve it.
What were the challenges of playing first-class cricket?
First of all the move of countries was always a tough one with no family or friends to be there.
Moving to a new organisation and potentially moving in on someone’s position therefore can created a little bit of hostility.
Travel, getting up and playing day in and day out.. It becomes your life and is different from week to week playing Grade cricket
What was your best performance with the bat?
My first, first class hundred was something that I will never forget and very proud of. The game before I got out for 99 to Chris Martin so to back it up the next game and score my first hundred (107) was a special moment. I ended up scoring another hundred 102* to add to the collection
How did your first-class career end?
My last game was for Wellington at the Basin, and was hitting the ball well and my off pole was rocked back by Trent Boult who was a good friend and that was the end of the season.
The following year I decided not to return and set up a life in Toronto Canada
Trent Boult
What do you think looking back on your first-class career?
That I would love to know then what I know now. I was 26 when I finished up.. 10 years later at 36 now I feel I’m a better player than ever and would have loved to have had the patience, knowledge and understanding of the game and my own game back then. Would have been a completely different outcome but at the time you make decisions that you feel are right for you at the time and it all happens for a reason
What preparation went into your game?
Building my standard base of batting at the start of the week that I can rely on to be strong and as the week goes on to build on my game and skills. Hitting a lot of balls. Always working on strengths first and then improving skills that I wanted to improve later because if I knew I had my basics ticked off and felt confident then I was always a good chance of scoring runs
Who were the teammates you particularly admired?
Andrew Symonds: worked so hard, never gave up on a dream and always gave back to his own club and players that admired him. Never too much for him and set a wonderful example to me as a youngster
Tim Cruickshank: Not just Manly’s number 1 all-time leading runs scorer but more to the fact that he took on captaincy at a young age and faced adversity but came back years later to become one of the best leaders I’ve played under and be a huge component to lead us to a 1st Grade premiership with Manly
Adam Crosthwaite: One of the most grittiest and skilful cricketers I’ve ever played with. To find a way and lead with the bat in any circumstance was incredible. Fierce on the field but one of the best blokes and great caring friend who would always give time to help anyone with their game at any time and why he’s admired dearly by so many.
Tim Cruickshank batting for NSW
Who were the opponents you particularly admired?
Kane Williamson: Both played with and against. His work ethic to want to be the best from a young age, his humble ways of going about his life and career was wonderful to watch over the years.
Kane Williamson - New Zealand Captain
You are now a very successful coach, what makes a good coach, what are the challenges and how do you deal with them?
Emotional connection. Connecting and listening to the player about what they are feeling and going through. I understand the frustrations of what cricketers go through. I have been there and understand the pressures we all put on ourselves but if we listen and sympathise because each individual is different in how they respond and work.
Some love a good pump up, some respond to a soft approach, some like to figure out the solutions themselves. If you just lay the ideas out there and have and show belief in the individuals, it’s a huge part of coaching and sometimes better than offering technical advice. They feel confident and a sense of belief which leads to playing good cricket and the opportunities are endless which is exciting!
What would you do if you were running Australian Cricket?
Bring back proper 2nd XI cricket. When the under 23s came in it depleted the skills and standards and potential careers that guys in their mid-20s to 30s.
You don’t understand or get to be the best player you can be until your late 20s into your 30s. These guys are better cricketers than the youngsters but it now drives this important age demographic away from the game because they have been told they are too old at 26 to play professional cricket. Certainly has had an impact on the talent and competition within Premier Cricket around Australian.
What advice would you give to yourself as an 18 year old?
Hang in there, be patient and opportunities will come naturally. Relax. Don’t put so much time into fitness. Just work on the basics and your strengths and do it well and often.
If you plan how to bat and the circumstances in which you might be batting you can just going out there and bat, it will make batting so much easier
Are you involved in cricket now and in what capacity?
Yes I still play 1st Grade for Manly and have just gone past 6000 first grade runs for Manly going to the 7th leading run scorer in First Grade at the club in its history. It was a proud moment.
In regards to coaching, I do a lot of individual junior coaching which I love and coach women’s teams. I’m also the batting coaching at Manly and enjoy helping our young cricketers learn how to bat.
I also have had the privilege during my first professional coaching stint alongside Waqar Younis in the Global T20 Competition in Toronto Canada, to work with David Warner, Ben McDermott and South African batsman David Miller. Incredible experience and one I would like to build on.
Highlight of Cameron Merchant 89 against St George in October 2020
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