Nic Bills made his first grade debut in 2009 and has played NSW premier Cricket for North Sydney, Manly, Mosman and currently Sydney Cricket Club.
Prior to the 2020/21 season Nic has taken 374 wickets at an average of 22.83 and has taken 5 wickets or more on 18 occasions. His best is 6 for 37.
Nic is a proud NSW representative having played 2 first class games so far.
Let’s meet Nic Bills
New Balance is one of the proud sponsors of Sydney Cricket Club
What year you were born?
February 1992
If you can share with our readers how you would describe yourself as a cricketer?
Fast Bowler and best number 11 in the competition!
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket so far?
I’ll take the easy option and name two, but winning my first, first grade competition with North Sydney was special and making my debut for NSW.
Nic Bills being presented with his NSW cap by former NSW player Brad McNamara
At what age did you make your first-grade debut?
Not sure exactly when, but was in the 2009/10 season so would have been 17
Who’s your favourite all-time cricketer?
Freddie Flintoff. The first time I was really old enough to watch and understand a Test series was the 05 Ashes and Freddie was a massive part of England’s success. Just loved the way he went about it, was never beaten and could change the game with the bat, ball or in the field.
Andrew Flintoff
Who is the fastest bowler you’ve played against?
I can remember in one of my first T20s in first grade facing Burt Cockley and Scott Coyte playing for Randy Petes. Both of those would be the quickest I’ve faced in Premier Cricket. Luckily I didn’t last long!!
Who is the best spinner you’ve played against?
Jarrad Burke. Have played against Burkey many a time over the past 10-12 years and is definitely the best I’ve played against. Whether he spins them or not his ability to convince batsman he does and work them over with his flight and drop and desire to get into a contest has seen him be successful for such a long period of time
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Best innings was a hundred by AJ Mosca in the limited overs final in 2018-19. Chasing 290 to win, batting at 3, AJ scored around 130 off 100 balls to guide us home. The innings was special, doubled with the fact it was a final and chasing made it easily the best I’ve seen.
AJ Mosca
Who are the two players in NSW Premier Cricket you’ve come to admire most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Dan Smith. I’ve had the opportunity to play with and against Smithy and his ability to take the game away from you quickly and win games off his own bat has been remarkable over an extended period. Even after 300+ games he still has the same competitive spirit each and every time he steps onto the field. He is the best captain I’ve played under; he not only makes the other 10 blokes feel like they are 10 foot tall and bulletproof, but he is tactically the best I’ve played with and is always one or two steps ahead of the game.
Phil Wells. I shudder to think at what Wellsy’s batting average would be in games I’ve played in. I think he had a run of 5 or 6 games we played against one another where he scored 100s. During that run there were times where I felt like I was bowling with a tennis ball, and no matter how well I bowled it just wouldn’t get him out. I’ve never had a bigger sigh of relief after he got out cheaply to break the run of 100s!!
Which singer/band would you like to see perform live?
Not a massive music fan, but I think Coldplay would have to be at the top of that list.
Who’s the king of selfies at your club?
Hugh Sherriff has certainly found his camera on social media during the Covid lockdown.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
One of the better ones I’ve heard was in the field when, with a new a batter coming to the crease the skipper started moving cover and mid-off somewhere else in the field. Everyone started looking confused with the skipper then stating “we don’t need those fielders there he’s not allowed to drive anyway”. As it turned out the batsman had just lost his license!!
Who’s been the biggest influence on your career so far?
Phil Marks (Skid). Skid was the Head Coach at North Sydney when I first got to the club and had a massive influence on the way I approach and play the game now. His ‘tough love’ approach has definitely helped me to where I got to in the game.
Nic Bills
Where do you find inspiration that gets you through challenging times?
Hard to go past my wife and daughter. I’ve had to learn I can’t take a loss home with me, (which is difficult for me), but are big source of inspiration for me, not just on the cricket field but life in general.
Who are the three people in the world you’d love to have a chat to in person?
Lebron James, Donald Trump, Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods
What’s your favourite premier Cricket in Sydney to play at?
Hard to go past Drummoyne Oval
What do you like to do to relax outside cricket?
When I can, getting onto the golf course and having a swing or sitting back with the feet up and watching something on Netflix.
What’s your occupation?
Currently work for CNSW as the Metro Pathway Manager. I work with the players and coaches within the Pathway system from U13 through to 2nd XI
Do you have a favourite quote?
I’m not sure whose quote it is, but “do the basics to the best possible standard”
You’ve played 2 first class games for NSW, can you share with us what it meant to you to be picked for NSW and how keen are you to get another opportunity?
Count myself very lucky to have gotten the opportunity to pull on the baggy blue a couple of times. As a kid it wasn’t something I ever would have thought was possible, but can still remember being presented my baggy blue by Brad McNamara and that first morning session was all a bit of a blur. Still thankful my first ball landed on the pitch. I was so nervous I think I forgot to drink any water for about the first 3 hours of the day and had to come off for cramps in the first session. Luckily I managed to get myself back on the field.
I think time has probably passed me by in terms of getting another game for NSW, but will be forever grateful to have played those too matches. We’ve got a good crop of young (fast bowlers) coming through at Sydney and hopefully I can pass something onto them and see them get the chance to pull on a baggy blue one day. If I have even a small part in that, it would be as good as getting another game myself.
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