KEW CLUB - Est 1863

Historical records indicate a cricket club located in Kew was involved in the Victorian Cricketers Association as early as 1858/59. Kew Cricket Club, was formed on 2 December 1863. The Town Clerk of the City of Kew, Mr J Lowrey, was the inaugural Secretary. Our initial ground was a field at Park without proper ovals or turf . Records from that time indicate the gentry of Kew enjoyed the Club’s social functions but displayed little dedication or enthusiasm for success on the field. The Club went in to hibernation during the early 1870’s but then returned, with renewed vigour, to Victoria Park and then to a ground on the corner of Denmark and Wellington Streets, Kew (now the site of the multi-storey VicRoads building). In 1888/89, Victoria Park became the permanent home of the Club, then adjoining a creek that later became an unsightly rubbish dump. A turf was constructed by Council on the North Oval for the 1922/23 season with a second turf wicket being installed on the South Oval for season 1932/33. Kew was admitted to the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association in 1922.

Three players stand out as outstanding champions of the Club. All later served the Club magnificently in the role of President. Stan Thompson (1921-1954), Ken Jeans (1939-1961) and Jack Carr (1965-1991). Stan and Ken captained First Eleven premiership teams. Stan played a record 284 First Eleven matches for Kew. Ken has the unique distinction of taking a hat-trick in consecutive matches against Balwyn and Williamstown in 1953/54. Jack made 4140 runs and took 251 wickets during his 145 First Eleven matches.

The highest score in the Firsts was 180 by Tom Ryan at in 1972/73. The Firsts’ bowling honours, with a haul of 10 wickets in an , was achieved by Tom Power against Brunswick in 1932/33 with figures of 31.6 – 8 – 91 – 10. Gordon Hulme (1952-79) has the remarkable achievement of taking 801 wickets for Kew, at an average of 15.15.

John (Jack) Dalziel (1957-97) holds the record of 430 matches for Kew. Terry Banfield (1967- 2007) has played 406. Kelly Masters (1968- current) played his 400th match this season. Five others: Stan Thompson, Ken Bray (1956-92), John Doyle (1965- current), Bernie O’Connor (1967- 2004) & Ian Wallace (1984- current) have played 300 matches.

(The Kew 400 Club. From left to right: Jack Dalziel, Kelly Masters & Terry Banfield, pictured with Club President Ian Wallace).

We have benefitted from strong family conections. Nine families have provided four or more players to Kew over the years. They are the Banfield, Bray, Cust, Dalziel, Dimattina, Harris, Sheehan, Thompson and Whitelaw families. All these families have made a long and dedicated contribution to the Club, both on and off the field.

The strong support of Councils, previously Kew but now Boroondara, throughout our history has provided our Club with quality playing and pavilion facilities in a wonderful parkland setting. The efforts of our past and present Executive Members, particularly Presidents and Secretaries, and long serving club delegates to the VSDCA, including Gordon Hulme, Mick Henley and Peter Ralton, have ensured that cricket is alive and well in our community. Kew has received great support from many sponsors and patrons over the years. It is worthy of note that former Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies, was a Patron of the Club during his time as the Member for Kooyong. Sir Robert always made a personal annual donation to the Club.

Kew can proudly claim many players who have played district and first class cricket. Five have represented . Bransby Cooper (1881/82), Hugh Trumble (1883/84), Colin Guest (1953/58), Gary Cosier (1990-92) and Jeff Moss (1990-96). Bransby played for Australia in in the First Test match in 1877. Hugh first played for Kew, at age 16, on 13 & 20 October 1883 in The McLean Challenge Cup at Kew against the (We were beaten by an innings and 260 runs!). Hugh played 32 Tests and was the first to take two Test hat-tricks. He went on to become Secretary of the Melbourne Cricket Club from 1911 until his death in 1938.