Graham Chudleigh has a life time of memories from playing and umpiring cricket.
Richie Benaud was his captain when he made his first grade debut for Cumberland. He played against some of the greats of Australian cricket in Davidson, O’Neill, Booth and many others and he’s also had the best seat in the house as next generations of cricketing hopefuls have walked onto the field.
A 67 year association with grade cricket in Sydney, let’s find out more
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What year were you born?
I was born on 9th February 1938 in Penrith, NSW and moved to Newcastle around 1942.
Do you remember your first ever game of cricket?
I attended the Junction School in Newcastle where I had my first game of competitive cricket for the school aged about 10 and collected 8 wickets for 3 runs.
This definitely was a big factor in my eventual addiction to the game coupled with listening to Bradman’s 1948 tour of England on the radio.
Where did you go the high school?
I attended Parramatta High School from 1950-54 and captained the firsts team in 1954
At what age did you start playing grade cricket and when did you make your first grade debut?
I started my serious cricket career in Green Shield with Cumberland (Parramatta) aged 15 as a batsman and part time off spinner but evolved into an all-rounder batsman and leg spinner and a specialist cover fielder.
From Green Shield I was selected in 4th grade for one season as a batter and off spinner
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer? Batsman, bowler, all-rounder, wicket keeper etc
I developed my cricketing skills under Lou Benaud in 3rd grade Cumberland where I was transformed into a leg spinner and together with my batting I became an all-rounder status and graduated to First grade under Richie Benaud in the 1958-59 season.
We understand you played First Grade cricket for Parramatta and with legendary Richie Benaud. Can you tell us what it was like to play with Richie?
Playing under Richie was a privilege and I learnt so much about our great game from him.
In one match against North Sydney he took 9 wickets and nominated each dismissal to his fielders.
I took a screaming cover drive inches from the turf as one of the 9 only because he signaled me to expect the opportunity.
Apart from his obvious skills as an all-rounder he was a genius as Captain.
I played with Cumberland from 1955-1960 and when I was married we moved to Loftus (Sutherland area) to build a home, return to University study and settle into family life.
Richie Benaud
What are some of your most memorable moments as a player?
Some of my best memories as a first grade player included:
- an unbeaten 50 odd with Wilf Ewens at Cumberland in a 170 run partnership
- playing with Richie as skipper
- watching and bowling to Norm O’Neill as he blast a quick fire century for St George. They were 3 for 400 and we only played from 1pm till 6pm
- as a bowler my 4for 68 for Cumberland vs St George at Hurstville included Warren Saunders wicket
- 3 for 7 for Cumberland against Waverley with Richie at first slip were highlights.
In addition our 2nd grade premiership win at Cumberland I think in 1957-8 season was special with many contributing performances with bat and ball under Doug Kennedy who inspired us to win the premiership. I learned so much under Doug about the value of teamwork in that season.
Did you play all your cricket for Parramatta?
My grade cricket career from that point was intermittent with some 5 years with St George in 2nd and 3rd grade and from 1966-67 Sutherland 2nd to 4th Grade till the early 1970’s.
What was your highest score in grade cricket?
My highest grade score was 153 not out for Sutherland 2nd grade against Balmain at Leichardt Oval in 1966-67
What were your best bowling figures in Grade cricket?
My best bowling figures were 7 for 38 for Sutherland v UNSW around 1970+ (memory for dates !!) included the wicket of Geoff Garland, a first grade skipper and legend at UNSW.
Graham Chudleigh and his good mate Geoff Garland
Who were the fastest bowlers you came up against in Grade Cricket?
The fastest bowlers I faced were Alan Davidson, Frank Misson and Gordon Rorke in 1st grade. All of whom presented specific challenges but were fortunately not Wes Hall and company in raw pace although Davo was deceptively quick.
Who was the best spinner you played against in Grade Cricket?
The best spinners I faced were Peter Philpott for Manly and Johnny Martin for Petersham.
Incidentally I played with 3 great leg spinners at Cumberland in Lou and Richie Benaud together with Jack Treanor who took a hat trick for NSW against Queensland.
No wonder I changed from being an off spinner to leg spinner.
Who would you consider to be the best batsman in your time playing grade cricket?
The best batsman I encountered in first grade was Norm O’Neill for sheer power and dominance followed by Brian Booth for elegance in stroke play.
Who played the best innings you saw firsthand playing with or against in grade cricket?
The best innings I saw firsthand was the Norm O’Neill century at Cumberland Oval followed closely by the Wilf Ewens century when I was involved in the partnership mentioned above.
Who were the two players you admired most in your time playing grade cricket for their skills and competitive spirit?
The two players I admired most were Richie Benaud and Alan Davidson.
Both were exceptionally skilled with bat and ball and exhibited unrelenting pressure in executing their strategies against the opposition. They were tremendously resilient in the face of adversity and practiced the spirit of our great game at all times.
I must mention a brief story from my first grade debut at Pratten Park between Cumberland and Western Suburbs when Richie was bowling to Alan Davidson for many overs while Davo smashed 67 including one 6 out of the ground (and nearly the suburb) and one screaming cover drive past me before I could move and it rebounded off the fence for 20 yards. Nevertheless Ritchie had his scalp after his 67 runs and both exhibited to me that day the features I mentioned above.
By the way Davo had me caught in slips for 0 in 3 balls ( 2 in swinging yorkers followed by an inswinging leg cutter that caught the edge… and….see you later young fella.)
What was your favourite ground in Sydney to play at?
My favourite ground to play was the SCG No 2 where I played in a 2nd grade final between St George and Sydney Uni
We also played the semi-final St George v Randwick at the same ground.
At what age did you start umpiring?
I retired from playing after winning A1 comps for Engadine Dragons in the Sutherland shire in 1985 when I was 48 and was introduced reluctantly to umpiring by a friend for a season in the park and then I was encouraged to do the NSWCUSA course and join the official ranks late in 1986/87 season.
What was the attraction to become an umpire?
My first full season in 1987/88 as a learner was fulfilled with curiosity to see if this strange profession was something I could take to.
Can you remember your first game as an umpire in Sydney Grade Cricket?
My first game was in 3rd grade at Raby 2 between Campbelltown and Mosman and it turned out successfully and was followed by an enjoyable season which saw me become addicted to this critical part of our great game.
How long did it take to progress through to First Grade?
My 1st grade debut was at Raby Oval 1 in season 1988/89 between Peter Devlin’s Randwick and Campbelltown. Unfortunately I can’t remember my partner, the face is there but the name escapes me.
I was dropped for good reason for the start of the next season but after 4 games I bounced back in early 1990/91 I think to clinch a long stint of 100 + first grade games.
Who were the umpires you admired most when you started out as an umpire? Is there anyone in particular you wanted to model your umpiring on?
The two umpires I admired initially were Tom Brooks and Darrell Hair, both of whom were very accomplished umpires. However I never wanted to model my work on any one umpire as my preference was to take specific points from various umpires that fitted my own personality and development of my own routines
Do you know how many games you umpired in Sydney Grade Cricket?
I managed 452 games over 29 years as the stats tells me by our association
Graham Chudleigh along with Kim Norris are presented their badges by Brian Booth recognising 30 Years of Service to the Umpires Association
What was your most memorable moment as a cricket umpire?
To give the most memorable moment in that time is difficult because of so many highlights over the years but the award of the George Borwick medal in season 1992/3 represented my most consistent and satisfying season on the paddock.
Most favourite ground in Sydney to umpire?
Hurstville oval
What’s the most intriguing ground you’ve umpired?
Tonkin Oval because it has that baseball mound and the incoming tide from Gunnamatta Bay
Who were the three batsmen you admired most as an umpire in Premier Cricket?
The 3 batsmen I admired most were Adam Gilchrist, Michael Bevan and Mark Taylor
Adam was the cleanest hitter of a ball I experienced and he managed a 4 off the first ball he faced in three times I umpired him.
Michael could adjust his stroke play to counter a bowler’s field placing to produce boundaries at will. He hit Mike Whitney for 6 fours in an over one day while I was umpiring.
Mark Taylor scored a superb 167 early in the season following his return from the 1989 Ashes tour. When in form he was ruthless in demolishing the bowlers.
Who were the three bowlers you admired most as an umpire in Premier Cricket?
The three bowlers I admired most were Brett Lee, Greg Matthews and Glen McGrath with Richard Stobo worth mentioning
Brett was pure pace. I umpired him as a young 16 year-old when he made his first grade for Campbelltown and was taken by surprise at his pace from his very first ball. He was very consistent with pace and length as well.
Greg was intriguing to work with as he was the most effective bowler I saw in psychologically destroying his batting opponents (occasionally he destroyed our umpires and even his teammates)
Glen was just down from Narromine playing for Sutherland PG team when I first umpired him and I was very impressed with his work ethic and his natural talent in getting balls into the batters uncomfortable areas and his consistent length and ability to cut the ball off the pitch. He was proactive in working with me on his follow through into the danger area which took time and persistence to overcome.
Richard was a persistent seamer who regularly took wickets with variation in seamers and bounce. He took a hat trick against Hawkesbury one day in an exceptional spell of bowling.
Who were the three players you admired most over the years for their competitive spirit and the way they played the game?
The players I admired most for competitive spirit and fair play were Adam Gilchrist, Brian Booth/Mike Whitney and Mark Taylor. All four were exceptional cricketers and retained that humility that comes from true talent and who played the game very intensely but within the spirit of the game at all times.
We can only assume there were quite a few characters in the game you had to keep an eye on in the field. Is there a particular moment or story you’d like to share about one of the characters?
95% of all the players were enjoyable to work with and the other 5% contained those characters in the game everybody knew and managed.
I found the combination of humour and commonsense in match management overcame most issues.
The one example I will give was extremely unusual.
It was a first grade game between North Sydney and Randwick at North Sydney Oval in the early 1990’s when there was an issue between Trevor Chappell and Warren Pepper.
Warren was bowling to Trevor and went up for an LBW appeal which I turned down because of an inside edge and Trevor took off for a quick single. I was racing into position for a potential run out and did not see Trevor elbow Warren during the run.
When both players were near the bowling crease Warren shaped up to Trevor and a physical confrontation seemed inevitable.
Peter Devlin, captain of Randwick crash tackled Warren as I eyeballed Trevor and demanded he back off.
The game resumed as though nothing had happened probably because everyone was in shock. It would be dealt with very differently these days.
Is there any particular game you’ve umpired that stands out above all others?
My first game back as a first grade umpire still remains my favourite.
There was a 2nd Grade game between Bankstown and St George at Hurstville Oval when St George scored 300 and Bankstown were 9 for 299 when I gave No11 out LBW with 5 balls remaining.
It was a fantastic and very enjoyable game and both teams celebrated together afterwards with both umpires praised and included in the post-match camaraderie
This game mirrored the very best of our great game for enjoyment, the spirit of cricket and camaraderie following the game.
Who’s been the biggest influence in your involvement in cricket?
The biggest influences to me were Lou and Richie Benaud and Doug Kennedy in my playing days and Tom Brookes and Ken Wark during my umpiring career.
Who was the funniest umpire you’ve had the pleasure to umpire with?
The funniest umpire I worked with was Tony Kingsford Smith.
As a captain of Sutherland I found Tony’s umpiring eccentric and he just made me smile to the point that regardless of his efficiency I always enjoyed the game.
An umpire with these types of characteristics can help the game be so enjoyable.
Who is your favourite all time cricketer growing up?
Keith Miller. I could share so much about my experiences in watching him play.
For example one Saturday afternoon at Pratten Park, Keith was fielding on the boundary chatting to the crowd as the game meandered along.
Keith just wandered back to the centre and told the captain to give him the ball and proceeded to take 3 wickets in a couple of overs. He then handed the ball back to his captain and retired back to chatting to the crowd near the boundary fence.
What did you enjoy most about umpiring?
My approach to umpiring was to do the best job I could and to help encourage an enjoyable game between the two teams.
There was no better feeling than everyone enjoying the game irrespective of the result.
Who would you consider the top 2 umpires in the game today?
To name just two umpires is a bit tricky as so much has changed over the last few years.
However I rate Marius Erasmus No 1 at the moment and Richard Kettleborough No2
If you’re in the middle seat of the middle row of Qantas QF1flight to London which two umpires from any level would you choose to on your left and right?
Darren Goodger and Ken Wark.
Both share my love of and values associated with all aspects of the game and we would chat for hours about the game of cricket and our experiences.
Did you have any superstitions?
I have no superstitions.
Technology – good or bad for cricket from an umpire’s perspective?
Difficult to answer as I have not been involved with it at all either as a player or umpire.
What piece of technology is most valuable to an umpire and why?
As a viewer I enjoy the 3rd umpire analysis of the debatable decisions and for most it is very helpful in getting the right decision. I’m not a fan of the existing technology for LBWs and believe the best piece is the technology is for caught behind decisions.
What’s the best advice you ever received?
Develop my own style, enjoy your day and develop an effective switch up/switch down routine
Do you like the modern game and what can the game do to make it better for umpires?
The modern game is still the game I love irrespective of the changes to include 3 formats.
The introduction of T20 cricket challenged my view a little as I saw it as an entertainment package for revenue raising.
However the T20 game has developed significantly in recent times and joins the other forms of the game as the skills of bat and ball mirror the great game we love.
For umpires at the CA pathway level I can see them developing skills associated with a specific form of the game and selection of umpires may evolve to be for a specific form.
For example the mature aged umpires are best at the long form of the game while young umpires tend to thrive on T20 cricket.
The rapid rise of the women’s game has added to the complexity of umpire selection.
The challenge for our umpires is the sheer volume of work over the season and coping with 3 formats in both men’s and women’s cricket and a huge work effort over a season
For families this is a very challenging issue and I think the game’s administrators need to consider the management of each umpires load over a season
What are your hobbies?
My hobbies include travel, reading history (particularly Europe from 16th to 20th Centuries), new scientist and other science material and also attending the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s concerts and listening to classical music and of course cricket stories.
Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general?
As my knowledge and love of our great game developed I discovered that it mirrored life itself. Characteristics such as commitment, resilience, teamwork and perseverance and the revelation that life is not always fair and the umpire’s decisions must be accepted have proved to be very valuable when applied to my daily life.
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