Sydney Grade Cricket - Clubs

Clubs

Clubs in the 2011–12 season of Sydney Grade Cricket were:

• Bankstown – The Bulldogs play out of Bankstown Oval, one of the better grade grounds, having hosted first class matches and women's internationals. The club has won six first-grade titles, the first in 1952-53, just a year after joining the competition, and the most recent in 2006-07. Notable Bankstown players have included all four Waugh brothers (Steve, Mark, Dean and Danny), Jeff Thomson, Len Pascoe, Corey Richards and Aaron Bird.

• Blacktown – Nicknamed the Warriors, Blacktown participated in the Sydney Shires Competition before entering the Grade Competition in 2002-2003. Former players include Australian off spinner Gavin Robertson, NSW paceman Don Nash and West Indian bowler Corey Collymore.

• Campbelltown-Camden – Nicknamed the Ghosts, the club was formed in 1985 and won its first title (the first grade limited overs crown) in 1986-87. Since then, it has won many lower grade titles. Past players of note include Michael Bevan and Corey Richards.

• Eastern Suburbs – Founded as the Waverley Cricket Club in 1894, it changed its name in 1996 to reflect a broader regional basis. Nineteen Australian players have played for the red, white and blue of the Dolphins, including the Gregory brothers, Jack Fingleton, Greg Matthews. Current players include Brad Haddin, Nathan Bracken and David Warner.

• Fairfield-Liverpool - Nicknamed the Lions. The most notable current players are former Australian bowler Doug Bollinger and NSW players Grant Lambert and Ben Rohrer. Pat Richards rugby league footballer for Parramatta Eels, Wests Tigers and Wigan Warriors is a former player.

• Gordon - The Stags were founded in 1905 and have won six first grade titles since then. They share their home ground of Chatswood Oval with Gordon rugby club. Thirteen players have gone on to represent Australia, including Victor Trumper, Charles Macartney, Bert Oldfield, Brian Taber, Ian Davis, Adam Gilchrist and Phil Emery.

• Hawkesbury – Nicknamed the Hawks. Their home grounds of Owen Earl and Bensons Lane 2 and 3 are infamous for the number of mosquito flies and shocking heatwaves that occur. Owen Earle Oval and the Bensons Lane Complex, which includes all 3 grade grounds, are among the best wickets in the Sydney Grade competition. The main oval has recently been upgraded with a new picket fence. Notable players: Stephen O'Keefe (NSW & Aust), Peter Forrest (NSW, QLD & Aust), John Hastings (Vic & Aust), Scott Henry (NSW), Anthony Kershler (NSW). Hawkesbury also produce regular members of NSW under-17 and 19 teams (many as captain).

• Manly Warringah District Cricket Club - Founded in 1878, Manly was a foundation club in the Sydney grade competition. The Waratahs have won the first grade title four times and in 2005–2006 won the club championship title. Recent players include NSW captain Stephen O'Keefe.

• Mosman - Former Australian cricket captain Allan Border is probably the most famous former Mosman player and, in recognition of his contribution, the club renamed its home ground Allan Border Oval. Former players include Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, his older brother and former NSW captain Shane, former England captain Andrew Strauss.

• North Sydney - The Bears were formed in 1893 as a foundation club in the grade competition. The club is based at North Sydney Oval, a regular venue for first class cricket in NSW. The club's most famous players include Sir Donald Bradman, Bill O'Reilly, Keith Miller, Stan McCabe, Stuart MacGill, Trevor Chappell, Doug Walters, Sid Barnes, Charles McCartney, Phil Marks and Kerry O'Keefe. Phil Marks (ex NSW batsman) is currently the clubs batting coach.

• Northern District - Nicknamed the ND Rangers, Northern District is home to former Australian and NSW captain Mark Taylor, Chris Peebles, former Sri Lankan International All - Rounder Upul Chandana and former home of Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist for a season. Current club captain David Ball achieved a double hat-trick in the 2009/10 quarter final against Eastern Suburbs.

• Parramatta - Formerly Central Cumberland, the club was founded in 1843 and a foundation member of the grade competition. It claims to be the oldest living club in NSW & second oldest in Australia. Home of Richie Benaud, John Benaud, Doug Walters - winner of 3 First Grade Premierships. Bob Simpson is a coaching advisor.

• Penrith - Like the local rugby league team, the Penrith Cricket Club are known as the Panthers. Penrith are currently under the guidance of John Benaud as their coach. Sri Lankan coach, Trevor Bayliss, played his Sydney Grade Cricket career at Penrith. Penrith won the 2008/2009 club championship. Patrick Cummins also plays for Penrith, being the first test player from Penrith for some decades.

• Randwick Petersham – Nicknamed the Randy Petes. Home of former Australian players Simon Katich, Nathan Hauritz and Usman Khawaja. England's Monty Panesar signed with the club for the 2011/12 season.

• St George – Established in 1911, the club was the home of Sir Donald Bradman and Bill O'Reilly, Ray Lindwall, Arthur Morris, Brian Booth, Murray Bennett and Kerry O'Keeffe. Recent players include Moises Henriques, Trent Copeland and Josh Hazlewood. The club became the first club to win the Sydney Grade Cricket Competition three times back to back. It achieved its 100th premiership in all grades in 2009–2010 season. The club also celebrates its centennial during the 2010–2011 season.

• Sutherland – One of the newer clubs in the competition, the Sharks were formed in 1965. Past greats include current Australian Chairman of Selectors Andrew Hilditch, John Dyson, Steve Rixon, Glenn McGrath, Stuart MacGill and Stuart Clark. It is the home club of former Australian players Phil Jaques and Steve Smith as well as young NSW batsman Nic Maddinson.

• Sydney Cricket Club – A merger in 2007 between the UTS Balmain Cricket Club (a member of Grade Cricket since 1897 as Balmain) and the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust. The Tigers play out of Drummoyne Oval. The most famous players from this club are Archie Jackson, Arthur Mailey, Greg Hayne (who has scored a record 12,000 runs for the club), Graham Thorpe, Paul Awramenko, Russel Arnold, Nathan Bracken and Jason Krejza.

• Sydney University - Founded in 1864, it was a foundation member of the grade competition. It has four first grade titles and twenty test players including Tom Garrett, Greg Matthews, Imran Khan, Stuart Clark and Stuart MacGill.

• University of NSW Grade Cricket Club, nicknamed the Bumble Bees. Home to former Test players Geoff Lawson and Michael Slater. Entered the Grade Competition in 1973–74.

• Western Suburbs – Home of Australia cricket captain Michael Clarke and fringe Australian players Phil Hughes and Mitchell Starc. Wests have had a number of notable former Australian players such as Bobby Simpson, Dirk Wellham, Alan Davidson, Greg Dyer, Greg Matthews, Gary Gilmour and Dave Gilbert. Wests home ground is Pratten Park in Ashfield.