Last Friday, a full house at Parramatta Leagues Club celebrated the 50th Anniversary of 1964/65 First and Third Grade Premierships and marked the occasion by announcing its “Teams of the Decade” for the 1950s and 1960s. The Announcement took place at a function headlined by the great West Indian Brian Lara and attended by Test Legends Doug Walters, John Benaud and Alan Davidson, along with Lara, Sri Lankan Test star Russel Arnold (a member of the Parra Coaching team) and Greg Dyer, ex Aussie Test Wicket keeper currently General Manager of Parramatta City Council. The event was also attended by new International and Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year Sean Abbott, as well as International scorer Christine Bennison and future Test Umpire Greg Davidson, both Parra Life Members.
The 1950s Team of the decade was selected by a prominent member of that golden era, Wilf Ewens. During the 50s, Central Cumberland made three Finals. Wilf was one of the leading batsmen of the time, ultimately scoring 5,437 runs for the Two Blues. Wilf is eminently qualified to select the team from his first- hand knowledge of players such as Ron James (NSW Captain), new star Richie Benaud, NSW leg spinner Jack Treanor, and prolific run scorer Bert Alderson, until recently the highest ever run scorer in First Grade Cricket. Wilf was assisted by Club Historian Tom Wood.
The selected Team of the 1950s is:
1. – Bert Alderson 2. – Bruce Ritchie 3. – Wilfrid Ewens 4. – Richie Benaud 5. – Ron James (captain) 6. – Norm Lockhart 7. – Walter Cornock 8. – Greg Beisler 9. – Colin Barr 10. – Jack Treanor 11. – Ron Mulock 12. 12th Man – Leo Smith
John Benaud was the ideal person to select the Team of the 1960’s. A Test Batsman in his own right, NSW Captain, and Australian Selector, JB consulted other players of this second consecutive golden decade, where the First Grade Team won the Premiership in 1964/65 and made two other Finals. This all-star Merit side contained 3 current Test stars in Richie and Joh Benaud and Doug Walters, all in their pomp. John Benaud still holds the First Grade batting aggregate record of 835 for the Club, while Doug Walters still holds the First Grade Batting Average record of 104.4. Bruce Neill threatened JB’s record and went on to play first class cricket for Tasmania. Tom Wood also threatened the record. Harold Goodwin imposed himself on many games in memorable dashing fashion while the Aitken brothers completed a dominating spin attack. Rob Aitken holds the club record of 947 wickets in all grades, 700 in First Grade, records which may never be broken. Rob Aitken also scored 7609 runs. John Aitken eventually took 626 wickets in all grades and scored 8377 runs in an amazing all round performance. The selected team is:
1. – Bruce Neill 2. – Harold Goodwin 3. – Richie Benaud (captain) 4. – Doug Walters 5. – Bert Alderson 6. – John Benaud 7. – John Aitken 8. – Greg Beisler 9. – Robert Aitken 10. – Dave Watson 11. – Ron Mulock 12. 12th Man – Tom Wood
Numerous members of the selected Merit sides, the 1964/65 First Grade Premiers and the 1964/65 Third Grade Premiers were present on the day to complete a great celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the First and Third Grade Premierships where 93 year old Third Grade Captain Alan Cramond graced us with his presence, and 89 year old Stan Teale, still in rude good health, flew from Adelaide for the occasion.
Photographs from the event will shortly be posted to the Club’s web site at http://www.parracricket.com.au/home.aspx?
We thank Wilf Ewens and John Benaud for the great contributions in selecting these Merit Teams, along with Club Historian Tom Wood for the provision of historical information and photographs, Peter West for the presentation certificates and Peter and Ron Wright for their tremendous work in putting on the Luncheon.
Congratulations to all present on this historic occasion.
Kind Regards,
Greg Monaghan
President