ISSUE 26 / APR 2014 GO

THE SHIELD RETURNS

INSIDE Stephen O’Keefe Ryan Carters Build the perfect .

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Pitcher Partners is an association of independent fi rms. An independent member of Baker Tilly International. GO BLUES APRIL 2014 3 CONTENTS

05 FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

06 THE SHIELD RETURNS Blues celebrate the Sheffield Shield’s return to NSW

09 THE MEDAL DINNER All the winners from Cricket NSW’s night of nights!

10 UNDER-RATED Stephen O’Keefe was the leading taker in the Sheffield Shield, and deserves higher honours

12 ALEY RETURNS TO THE TOP After a summer on the sideline, Sarah Aley has shown some of her best form for the Lend Lease Breakers

15 NSW BLUES LIFT OUT POSTER Get your poster of the 2013/14 Bupa Sheffield Shield Champions!

19 THE 100 NSW celebrates the men and women who have played 100 First Class and WNCL matches for the State

21 CLEAR MIND KEY FOR CARTERS Getting back to nature means getting runs in the middle

24 ALL EYES ON DORAN This teenage wonderkid seems destined for bigger things

29 DREAMS BECOME A REALITY The Adamstown Rosebuds lived the dream of playing the NSW Blues on the SCG thanks to Transport for NSW’s Plan B Game Changer Award

Published for Cricket NSW by Proactive Graphics ISSUE 26 / APR 2014 GO Editor: THE Sudesh Arudpragasam SHIELD RETURNS Contributors: David Townsend Andrew Jones Nathan Ross Photography:

INSIDE Getty Images Cricket NSW Level Two 645 Harris Street Stephen O’Keefe Delly Carr/Sports Shoot PO Box 333 Paddington NSW 2021 Sydney 2007 Sarah Aley Ryan Carters Steve Christo/Sports Shoot Ph: + 61 2 8302 6000 Tel: + 612 9211 0775 Jake Doran Jon Attenborough www.cricketnsw.com.au Fax: + 612 9211 0780 CAMRY CALLING ALL THE HEROES

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The past six months have been very successful for NSW and Australian cricket.

Cricket NSW is delighted to have is one of the senior , , Alyssa both the Bupa Sheffield Shield and members of the Lend Lease Breakers Healy, and Ruth Preddey Trophy on display at our squad. This was her fourth were part of the Women’s Ashes, with headquarters following outstanding Medal which reflects her value to the Ellyse Perry winning the Peden-Archer summers from the NSW Blues and team many years. This season she Medal as Player of the Series. Those Lend Lease Breakers. was the Breakers’ leading scorer in five players also played key roles in the the WNCL, while also finishing second Southern Stars’ third consecutive World This was the NSW Blues’ first Sheffield in the team’s WT20 runs tally and T20 title. Shield win since 2007/08. The team playing a key innings in the WNCL Final. played some wonderful cricket to finish Cricket NSW has always received on top of the ladder with Stephen I would also like to congratulate Sharon tremendous support from our corporate O’Keefe, , Millanta who retired at the end of the partners. In addition to celebrating and Ryan Carters amongst the best- WNCL Final after more than 10 years as the 12th year of our partnership with performed players in the competition. part of the NSW squad. She played over Transport for NSW and the NSW 100 matches across both the WNCL Government, we welcomed iiNet and It was the perfect way to end a terrific and WT20 and was part of six WNCL Nestle Purina Ruffs as sponsors of summer in which the Blues also finished premiership-winning teams, as well as the Sydney Sixers, while University of runners-up in the RYOBI One Day Cup, the Breakers’ maiden WT20 crown in joined Webjet as a sponsor of and I congratulate and his 2012/13. the Thunder. We are also delighted to players and staff on a fine campaign. have CUB and Rebel as new sponsors The KFC T20 Big Bash League has The Lend Lease Breakers won their of Cricket NSW. grown significantly since the move to ninth straight WNCL title and their 16th free-to-air television at the start of this Thank you to all of our commercial in 18 seasons. There are few, if any, season. The competition as a whole partners and suppliers for your teams in Australian domestic sport that has experienced record ratings while commitment to Cricket NSW. Your can boast such a fine record and the the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder generosity goes a long way to helping fact that the Breakers have been able both witnessed massive growth in their us deliver our programs from the elite to push themselves to greater heights home crowds. level right through to the grass roots of each summer is a credit to them and the game. their support staff over the years. Cricket NSW was pleased with the progress of our teams on the field. Thank you also to all of the volunteers, In a season where there were so The Sixers finished second after the administrators, coaches and players many wonderful individual efforts, preliminary rounds but unfortunately they who have helped foster and develop I congratulate and Leah narrowly missed a place in the Final. the game all over the State. Your Poulton on winning the Steve Waugh contribution to cricket is greatly valued Medal and Belinda Clark Medal The Sydney Thunder won only one game by both Cricket NSW and Cricket respectively. in BBL03. However, under the guidance Australia and we hope that you are able of coach Chandika Hathurusinghe and 2013/14 was a breakthrough season for to stay involved for many more seasons senior players like Mike Hussey and Dirk Sean in which he was the leading wicket to come. Nannes, they were a significantly more taker in the RYOBI One Day Cup and competitive outfit. We expect they will There is little time to rest on our laurels NSW’s third leading bowler in the Bupa improve again next year. and Cricket NSW has already started Sheffield Shield. He is a product of the planning for the 2014/15 season, which NSW pathway system and it would be On the International scene, Cricket NSW includes our defence of the WNCL and an immensely satisfying feeling for both enjoyed the strongest representation Bupa Sheffield Shield, plus a Test series himself, and those who have coached of any State in both the men’s and against and of course, the 2015 him over the years, to see him deliver women’s National teams. ICC . on his potential. It also makes me feel We were thrilled to the better about getting a pair against Sean contributions of Michael Clarke, Brad in a Grade game when he was 15! Haddin, , Steve Smith, Andrew Jones and in Chief Executive Australia’s Test series victories over and . THE SHIELD RETURNS BY SUDESH ARUDPRAGASAM. PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES 7

You could feel the pride from the former “Blue Baggers” as they filed past the Sheffield Shield on their way into the Steve Waugh Medal Dinner.

The likes of , Geoff “We said before the match that Lawson, , Steve the first innings was going to Waugh and Alan Davidson had all be crucial and to get 447 in the experienced the thrill of winning first innings, well it is going to be First Class titles with NSW tough to lose from there,” said during their careers, and the NSW Steve Smith. smiles on their faces at seeing “Credit to Moises for the way he Lord Sheffield’s famous trophy played. We were in a little bit of back in Sydney said it all. strife there and for him to put on 2013/14 will be remembered some very handy partnerships as the 46th time NSW had won with the tail, and the way that the Sheffield Shield. It had been they played, it was incredible as six years since the last crown well. 447 was perfect and really and this was a moment to be set the game up for us.” savoured. then blasted out The Player of the Final, Moises ’s top four with Henriques, summed up the three and a direct hit run mood of the players perfectly. out, leaving them 4-15 at the end of day two. “Absolutely thrilled! We’ve been training not just this season, but Hazlewood went on to collect for a lot of seasons, to win the career best figures of 6-50, Sheffield Shield. It is something which was also his maiden five that I’ve always dreamed about wicket haul in First Class cricket. and every other guy in that A slow third day and rain on dressing room has as well,” day four meant the match was he admitted. always going to end in a draw, NSW’s Bupa Sheffield Shield and stumps were finally called campaign was a tribute to the after lunch on the final day, depth of the State’s talent. shortly after Steve Smith raised Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, his . , David Warner, At the post match media Nathan Lyon, Moises Henriques conference, Henriques quickly and Steve Smith only played and emphatically dismissed any a handful of games due to notion of a “hollow feeling” with International commitments with the game ending in a draw. a total of 19 players taking part in the competition. “Don’t know where this hollow feeling is coming from because Of those 19 players, Stephen it doesn’t feel hollow to me. It O’Keefe (41 wickets) finished as is not just about the Final. We the tournament’s leading bowler, earned the right to have this Final while Ryan Carters was the at home and play the way we Shield’s third leading run maker. did. We outplayed them every The Blues dominated the Final day of this fixture so there are for all but one session. Their 447 no hollow feelings here.” NSW players involved in the in the first innings was set up For Smith, being out in the 2013/14 Bupa Sheffield by 140 from Moises Henriques, middle at the end of the match 75 from Steve Smith and 72 to was the perfect way to off Sean Abbott Carters, while the lower order an amazing summer. Doug Bollinger also did a wonderful job with Ryan Carters Stephen O’Keefe O’Keefe (41), (35) “It is very special. I’ve always and Nathan Lyon (36no) helping dreamt about being part of a Michael Clarke to add 258 runs for the last four Shield Final with NSW and to Trent Copeland wickets. win it, and be captain – it is a Brad Haddin Manjot Singh great thrill!” Josh Hazlewood Steve Smith Moises Henriques Scott Henry David Warner Nathan Lyon SYNTHETIC GRASS PRACTICE BAYS, CRICKET WICKETS & COVERS WICKET COVERS WICKETS yy Synthetic Grass pitch remains undamaged throughout the year yy Practice, Competition and Test Grade Synthetic Grass available yy Secure, flat and shock absorbing surface will lower yy Full wicket installs – Nets, concrete, fencing and the chance of injury to players Synthetic Grass yy Can be reused each year yy Repairs to wickets surfaces yy Minimize trip hazards from soil collecting around the pitch yy Rubberised wicket run ups

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Steve Smith and show off the Sheffield Shield and WNCL trophy THE 2014 STEVE WAUGH

MEDAL DINNER PHOTOS: DELLY CARR/SPORTS SHOOT.

NSW Blues all-rounder Sean teams themselves. Margaret Abbott is the 2013/14 Steve Peden was represented by Waugh Medallist, while Lend Elizabeth Peden, who described Lease Breakers batter Leah her memories of her grandmother Poulton took out the Belinda coaching young players. Clark Medal. The 22 year-old Abbott, showed 2014 Award Winners that he has matured his game considerably after playing in Steve Waugh Medal: nine Bupa Sheffield Shield Sean Abbott matches, where he picked up an Belinda Clark Medal: impressive 27 wickets to make Leah Poulton him the third highest wicket-taker for the Blues in the competition. NSW Blues Bupa Sheffield Steve Waugh Medalist, Sean Abbott with Belinda Clark Medalist, Leah Poulton He was equally as effective in the Shield Player of the Year: Ryobi Cup, where he led all Blues Ryan Carters wicket-takers with 16, in addition Lend Lease Breakers WNCL to averaging 32 with the bat. Player of the Year: Leah Poulton won the Belinda Rachael Haynes Clark Medal for the fourth time NSW Blues RYOBI One Day in her career. Poulton finished Cup Player of the Year: second on the list of top run Sean Abbott scorers in the WNCL with 347 at 57.83 and a top score of 109, Lend Lease Breakers which was her first ever century WT20 Player of the Year: for NSW in 50 over cricket. She played a key role in delivering Mike Whitney and were reunited with the Sheffield Shield Sydney Sixers Player the Lend Lease Breakers a ninth of the Tournament: straight WNCL title, a Nic Maddinson determined 48 runs in the Final. Sydney Thunder Player During the evening, Brian Booth of the Tournament: MBE, Geoff Lawson OAM and Gurinder Sandhu the late Margaret Peden were inducted into the Cricket NSW Alan McGilvray Scholarships: Hall of Fame. Alex Glendenning and Booth and Lawson spoke passionately about their time Hall of Fame Inductees: representing NSW and Australia, Brian Booth MBE while also fondly recalling being Geoff Lawson OAM Hall of Fame Inductees Geoff Lawson, Elizabeth Peden on behalf of the late part of Sheffield Shield winning The Late Margaret Peden Margaret Peden and Brian Booth 10 GO BLUES BY DAVID TOWNSEND. PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES 11

Under-rated is an oft-quoted phrase in sport. It is sometimes directed at a person who competes but rarely creates headlines, more often at a player whose stats are the equal of a more saluted rival, but rarely does it seem to lead to the recognition it deserves. UNDER-RATED Stephen O’Keefe, or SOK as he is Katich is a name that crops up a lot Again he stepped up under pressure. known in cricketing circles, has never with O’Keefe. As his captain when he Figures of 4-0-29-3, are exceptional in been under-rated by those he has made his debut the left-armer holds the any match, not least a debut against played with. His is a story of a continual veteran in the highest regard. a Pakistan side containing the likes of desire to improve. To work out his skills the Akmal brothers and Afridi and it “Kat was a great and still is. He and improve them so that he could confirmed SOK’s ability to take wickets instilled real belief in me and he was a adapt to any surroundings. He has and contain in this form of the game. bloke who was a legend on and off the adapted to many. field. I owe him a lot.” This has continued, with any Sixers’ fan Born in Malaysia, where his father was telling you why SOK is one of the first It was Katich who had thrown the in the air , Stephen moved to picked in any side. His contribution to ball to O’Keefe in the final over of a Australia at an age where cricket was the inaugural BBL|01 victory included a crucial Big Bash match against the furthest thing from his mind and swashbuckling 48 from 46 balls in the in 2008/09. The Blues were on the eventually settled in the Richmond area Final against the Scorchers and he was verge of beating the Bushrangers in of Sydney. His mother decided that able to regularly bowl with the new ball front of 25,000 screaming fans at ANZ cricket could help him make some to great effect. Stadium. With a victory would come new friends. a place in the lucrative Champions So what of the longer form of the “When I was eight, having moved from League (NSW went on to win it). game? This remains a mystery to most. Victoria to NSW, my mother decided After that initial tour to England, Steve With 16 runs needed the odds were that she would enrol me with the seemed to behind bowlers who with the home side, but Shane North Richmond Cricket Club to help had done nothing to justify leaping over Harwood hit O’Keefe’s first ball for me meet some new friends. him.Doherty, Beer, Agar and Ahmed all six. He held his nerve, however, and The experience taught me a lot!” appeared on touring lists ahead of him conceded only seven from the next O’Keefe recalls. as selectors seemed to lose faith with five deliveries to see the Blues home. statistics. After a difficult 2011/12 season “I ended up playing Grade for It was a major injection of belief at where the captaincy was thrust upon Hawkesbury and even though the right time. him during a period of major change I missed out on making the within the State, SOK has rebounded NSW U/17s first time around, Although O’Keefe sat on the bench this year with the energy of a man with I eventually made both the U/17s for the Champions League, he showed much to prove. and U/19s which was really the his value to the team. His sense of start of things.” humour and ability to not take things He did just that, topping the list of too seriously were attributes that were wicket-takers in the country, with 41 at Playing with the likes of to serve him well, but it was a growing an average just over 20, to say to those and John Hastings in a strong wicket-list that was to interest National in charge ‘what else do I need to do?’ Hawkesbury side, SOK began to make Selectors. people sit up and take notice. An Let us hope those in power were accurate spinner who could produce A dramatic winter in 2010 saw him take listening. good figures on all surfaces, he also 7-35 against A, resulting in a How does the man himself view offered brilliant and good power shock-call up to join the Test squad in his form? hitting down the order, and was part of England as cover for . a new wave of players who could easily Suddenly, SOK was training with the “I’m continually learning and adapt to all formats. players he had barely met and the magic challenging myself every time I bowl in continued when he was selected to the nets and games. I feel good about However, it wasn’t an automatic ride make his International debut against things. Flatter wickets have changed to stardom. Despite, making his One Pakistan in a T20 match at Edgbaston. the way spinners are being used and Day and First Class debuts for NSW in How did he find out? I’m getting a lot more overs in games 2005, SOK hadn’t always felt at ease. which is fine with me.” “It was an amazing time,” O’Keefe “Even at 22 when I was contracted remembers. “Suddenly Michael Clarke His time has definitely come and if as a Rookie player, I didn’t feel good pulled me aside to tell me I was teams are picked on form a Baggy enough to be around the State squad. playing. The rest is an absolute blur.” Green may finally come to a man who It wasn’t until I reached 25 and was deserves it more than most. playing Shield cricket under that I felt at home.” 12 GO BLUES ALEY RETURNS TO THE TOP

Sarah Aley has every right to look back upon the 2013/14 season with immense pride.

A senior member of the Lend Lease Breakers, she was the equal leading wicket taker in the WT20 with 18 scalps at 11.52, and she sat just outside the top 10 wickets takers in the WNCL with 8 at 18.50. She was part of NSW’s ninth straight WNCL title and toured Sri Lanka with the Australian A team.

Those who know Aley well realise just how hard she has worked to reap those rewards. She could have just as easily spent the last two summers watching from the sidelines….

In 2010/11 the Lend Lease Aley only wore her treasured Kingsgrove Sports First Grade In an interview completed Breakers won a record sky blue uniform once during Player of the Year award. soon after NSW won the equalling sixth WNCL title in the 2011/12 season when she 2012/13 WT20 Final, Leah “Sitting out the 2011/12 a row by beating Victoria in was called in as a replacement Poulton was asked which season was pretty hard. We the Final at the SCG. player for a single WT20 match of her team mates had had a Past Players function against . impressed her during that Along with , on the day of the WNCL season. Her response was an Alex Blackwell and Leah At the time, she was 27-years- Final at the SCG. I was there emphatic vote of confidence Poulton, Sarah Aley held the old and had enjoyed a career watching but deep down for the re-born medium pacer. distinction of being part of all most could only dream of. I knew that I would rather six of those Finals victories She had won six National be on the field than at the “Someone who really stretching back to 2005/06. titles with NSW, as well as function. That spurred me on impressed me was not a captaining the Breakers in a little bit as well. younger player, but an older However, that would be several matches, and she had player in Sarah Aley,” Poulton the last WNCL match Aley “I used that off-season and skippered the Australian Youth answered. played in 12 months after the pre-season to get myself to team on a successful tour to popular all-rounder lost her a point where if I did put in “I think this season was by . place in the starting XII for some good performances, far the best that she’s put the next summer. It would have been easy then they would have to in. I think the younger girls for Aley to be content and pick me.” can really look up to her “I had been overseas and eventually fade into the as someone who leaves had missed the pre-season. Aley did do enough to background. no stone unturned in her I wasn’t as fit as I could’ve impress the selectors and she preparation, and the way been. There were also a However, she missed playing had the honour of being part that she’s come back from a number of younger players for NSW too much. From the of the first team to win both couple of really disappointing coming through and the moment she was dropped, the WNCL and WT20 in the years to have such a big selectors just thought that Aley set about re-gaining same season. Personally, she impact this summer, has they were a bit ahead of me,” her place in the State side, had one of her best seasons been really impressive.” she admits. starting with an outstanding ever with nine wickets at season in Sydney Grade 28.00 in the WNCL, and 12 at which saw her win the 15.25 in the WT20. BY SUDESH ARUDPRAGASAM. PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES. 13

Aley only got better in “Having that whole season We can plan training sessions 2013/14 and she attributes off was pretty hard but I still around what the players need this success to the platform had the passion and desire to to be aware of,” she said. she built over the previous play for NSW. I guess that’s “Teaching teams to win is a summer. what got me back into the hard thing to coach. I think it side and I think the success “In the years leading up to is more about giving players that I have had just followed being dropped I wasn’t used belief and confidence so that on from that through very much as a bowler and in they can actually do what knowing I was still capable of the early years of my career, they need to do.” playing at that level.” I was trialled as a hard hitting For all bar one of the last batter which didn’t really Aley now has the chance nine seasons, Sarah Aley has work out in the end. to pass on her passion been the leader of the Lend and knowledge to the next “I wasn’t a first choice bowler Lease Breakers’ team song. generation of players through and I didn’t do anything to How this role befell her is her work with the Cricket change that. Being dropped unclear, but the words clearly NSW Academy and NSW was an indication to me that resonate with her. Youth squads. This season, there were some things she coached the NSW U/15 “NSW have a history of that I needed to do in order side to a National title. winning and that’s what the to stay in the team and get song is all about. So whenever ahead of the younger girls “There are a lot of things that we win, especially close coming through,” she said. the young girls don’t really get games or finals, it has that about cricket. So the more that “I think that I’ve had a little extra little bit of meaning to it.” I’ve learned, either from other more freedom in the way I’ve players or coaches, or from played since being dropped what I’ve experienced playing and coming back into the side. the game, that is something I knew that I had done the that I can pass on to the girls hard work to get back in and in to help them if they are ever in a way I had nothing to lose. a similar situation. PROUDLY SUPPORTING WOMEN’S CRICKET SPONSORING THE NSW LEND LEASE BREAKERS

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Yet another exciting project has been completed by the team at Gabba Sporting Products.

Our expertise was sought to aid in the fit-out of the SCG for Major League Baseball’s opening series for 2014 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Gabba designed and installed a number of crucial features at the ground for the prestigious series.

As far as training was concerned, both teams were provided with custom made cage facilities under the newly constructed M. A. Noble and Bradman stands in close proximity to their clubhouses. These cages were fitted with internal protective safety baffles and multiple entrances.

We also installed safety netting in front of the players dugouts and inside the on field bullpens where the relieving pitchers keep warm throughout the game.

23 Morley St PO Box 1018 P: 07 3394 4200 GabbaSPORTING PRODUCTS Coorparoo QLD 4151 Coorparoo QLD 4151 F: 07 3394 1162 Yet another exciting project has been completed by the team at Gabba Sporting Products.

Most notably, we designed and engineered a unique foul ball post system to meet MLB specifications incorporating an above ground reinforced concrete footing.

And of course there was the patron protection net that spanned the field of play behind the batter and catcher.

This net was certainly much valued by those that paid for the platinum tickets in the area that it served to protect!

Gabba was very proud to be involved in such an event and see the popularity of baseball in Australia continue to grow.

A great deal of the netting and post structures have now since been donated to various clubs around the country. It will be fantastic for these high quality items go into circulation at grass roots level.

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19

Doug Walters Men Greg Matthews 135 matches Alex 120 matches Blackwell Geoff Lawson Geoff Lawson 115 matches 108 matches Lisa 107 matches Keightley Leonie 105 matches Coleman 103 matches 100 matches

In 2013/14 Cricket NSW inducted the first men and THE women into The 100 Club. The 100 Club recognises men who have played 100 First Class matches for the NSW Blues, and women who have made 100 WNCL appearances for the Lend Lease Breakers. 100 On their induction to The 100 Club, each player was presented with a painting by Australian artist, Dave Thomas, which captured them in action for NSW against a print backdrop of the SCG and the historical Members Stand. CLUB These are the inaugural members of The 100 Club. Lisa Sthalekar Steve Rixon Women Lisa Sthalekar 145 matches Julie Hayes Mark 116 matches Taylor Alex Blackwell Mark Waugh 112 matches 103 matches 101 matches Michael Bevan Michelle Goszko Phil Emery 100 matches ERGONOMIC SUN ROOF Roll out your turf care problems with the Mentay 1200!

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Ask Ryan Carters a question and there is a short pause before he delivers a succinct, considered and thoughtful response. His message and intent is clear. The approach is a reflection opportunity. Given NSW on the way the 23-year- were showing a considerable old wicketkeeper-batsman, amount of interest I thought originally from the ACT, spends that there might be more his time in the middle. opportunity here. I was excited at the prospect of working with “I think that I am fairly Brad Haddin and my old friend, structured in the way that I bat. Nathan Lyon, both of whom I stick to my plan and I feel that have such great experience at I am starting to know my game Test level,” he explained. better all the time. The more that I can play to my strengths “I am also a big fan of Sydney and mitigate my weaknesses, as a place to live. When I joined the more success I will have. To the Sydney Thunder last season do that I know that I just need I had a really good time and I to be patient every ball that I really enjoyed the company of face and make good decisions.” my NSW team mates.” It is a simple philosophy that Now an economics and politics has done the trick for Carters student at Sydney University, over the last few months. His Carters started his preparation 861 runs at 53.81 (including for the 2013/14 season simply three centuries) were the by clearing his head. third most by any batsman in “I managed to get a month the Bupa Sheffield Shield. In away in July. I went canoeing addition, his aggregate was with two of my best friends also the second highest by a through rural Mongolia. We player in their debut season for camped out each night on NSW, behind only Mark Taylor. the river and just existed in 2013/14 was a summer of nature for a while, and I think change for Carters after he that really helped me to gain a made the decision to move strong perspective on where from Victoria to NSW. I was in my life and how I wanted to approach my cricket “I was feeling a little frustrated in the future. at Victoria through lack of TM

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“I definitely came back with a “Luckily there are some great “Simon is a good friend of strong sense of purpose and charities out there, especially mine and he’s been working balance, and things just seemed the LBW Trust who I’ve been with me on my batting since to click from there.” working with, who have the exact I was 17. Throughout the journey same mission. They believe that we’ve worked together and he’s This adventure is an insight into education is the way to improve identified things in my game Carters’ philosophical side. the opportunities in life for people which I probably wouldn’t have “I believe that having a sense of growing up in nations where they noticed or picked up on myself. purpose and values is important also love cricket, but economically He’s also helped me with a in order to dictate how you go they are very disadvantaged mental approach and attitude about your day and what you end compared to Australians.” which is quite robust up doing. I think it is a much more and resilient.” In July, Carters will travel to Nepal powerful and fulfilling way to go to see exactly how the money Carters arrived in Sydney with about life than to simply exist raised by the Thunder players the goal of opening the batting from moment to moment.” is being used, and meet the for the NSW Blues and he was He also possesses a very strong students it is benefitting. He’ll thrilled to have achieved that in social conscious, which can be also use the opportunity to get his first season in a Baggy Blue seen through his work with the away to the mountains for a few cap. He has aspirations for higher LBW (Learning for a Better World) days, clear his head and reflect. honours too, but he’s not one to Trust and the Batting for Change set himself timelines on those. “I think it is nice to be with nature program, which saw the Sydney from time-to-time because life “I believe in intrinsic motivation Thunder raise $30,000 to build can get a bit hectic when you and those sort of intrinsic a school in Nepal by hitting sixes are in the big cities. It is nice to rewards. I think if you are sailing during the KFC T20 Big Bash reduce the amount of stimulation the boat, if you know roughly League. so you can get back to your own the direction you are heading “Through playing cricket I’ve thoughts.” in then the important thing is been lucky enough to travel to to concentrate on the sailing While this summer has been a a number of developing nations. minute by minute. If you get too breakout one, Ryan Carters is still During some of those trips, distracted by the destination you a work in progress. He’s had many especially in South Africa and can easily lose your way.” coaches of various teams over the India, I’ve witnessed the poverty years who have helped shape him that exists in those nations and into the player he is, although he I felt that I just wanted to do singles out Simon Cusden as one something to try and level the in particular who has helped him playing field a bit,” he said. get to where he is. After an incredible few months in which he became the youngest player ever to represent the NSW Second XI, signed a rookie contract with the Sydney Thunder, represented the Chairman’s XI ALL against England and played in an EYES ON U/19 World Cup, we got a chance to sit down with one of the most talented young batsmen in the DORAN country, Jake Doran. 25 BY DAVID TOWNSEND. PHOTOS: DELLY CARR/SPORTS SHOOT, GETTY IMAGES.

How did you first get introduced Along the way there has always been What do you need to work on now to the game? the odd bloke who has sledged me, to improve your cricket? but for me that is all part and parcel I first got introduced to the game at My main improvement this year would of playing the game and it has created the age of six by my dad and brother be to increase the length of time I bat. the fight in me that makes me want to who both played it in the summer. I know myself, and my coaches keep succeed even more. My dad had been my main coach at reminding me, that if I’m at the the time and still is. At a young age What was it like getting the media for long periods of time then runs I played a lot of different sports with attention earlier this year after will come. AFL and League being the main ones breaking Doug Walters’ record? This all comes from being strong in the winter. When I was about This year has been a massive one and with the mental side of your game, 10 my dad and brother made breaking Doug Walters’ record was one but I also have plenty of technical a call to stick with the cricket of the big parts of that. When I got to areas to work on in the off-season. and concentrate on that. Ever since meet Doug and chat with him it made My aim is to work harder than then cricket has been my main priority. it even more special. anyone else and step on the field Was there a good rivalry with your knowing I’m ready. The media attention was something brother growing up? I hadn’t dealt with before, although I’m looking forward to continuing The rivalry still continues now, but I didn’t mind it too much. I got quite to work with (NSW Youth Coach) growing up there has always been a bit from the time with Doug through Mick MacLennan and to getting a competition from the backyard to to the Chairman’s XI match and it was chance to work with the field! I’ve always loved having something that I enjoyed. at the COE during the winter. that competition with Luke and Even though there was that added What are your hopes for competing with his achievements. pressure I felt that it helped me the future? He is a person I look up to and is concentrate and want to perform. one of my role models. I have always dreamt of playing What was the experience of being for my country, but I’m sure How was playing Grade at an around the Sydney Thunder like? everyone does! early age and who were some Who did you learn from during your of the characters you encountered at My main aim is to keep improving time there? the time? and to hopefully break into Shield, Being with the Sydney Thunder this One Day and T20 cricket. At the I first played Grade for Fairfield- year was a great experience, especially moment, though, I still have another Liverpool at age 12, and ever since hanging around the likes of Mike two years to play at the U/19 level that time I have learned a lot from the Hussey, , Usman and I’d like to win a couple more people I have played with and against. Khawaja and . National Championships and a They have always challenged me and World Cup in two years. I can’t thank them enough for that. Even though I didn’t spend much time there because of other commitments, If I can keep pushing myself to When I was 14 I made my First Grade I did learn a lot about my game and get better, and learn from the debut and at that point my skills and how to go about things better. experience I have around me, the mental side of my game started to then the sky is the limit. improve as I learnt from the likes I watched Hussey and learnt from him of Grant Lambert and Anthony Clark. about the mental and technical side of things and since then I have become better as a player and person.

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BY NATHAN ROSS. PHOTOS: JON ATTENBOROUGH, DELLY CARR/SPORTS SHOOT. PLAN B GAME CHANGER - DREAMS BECOME A REALITY

For most cricketers, The winning entry, sent in by Top: Evan Walker (left) With close to 100 entries for a Rosebuds player, nominated from Transport NSW the first phase of the Plan B getting the opportunity presents Ricky Milne team mate Ricky Milne for a from the Adamstown Game Changer competition, to play on the hallowed devastating spell of Rosebuds with his the campaign continued to build Plan B Game turf of the Sydney where he took 7-13, including a Changer Award. throughout March and April. hatrick, in last year’s Grand Final. Cricket Ground is just Plan B Game Changing Moments a dream. That superb effort booked his of the Finals have seen Plan B team a place to take on the Blues scouts travel all over the State However, for a bunch of social in the match of their lives. and attend selected Grand Final cricketers in Newcastle, this matches. Working with the local Taking on a team stacked with dream became a reality. clubs to capture results, our Plan superstars including Aussie B scouts captured those inspiring In February, the Adamstown paceman , the moments that changed the game. Rosebuds, a one-team club Rosebuds were always going to playing in the Newcastle City and be up against it but they put in a Next summer, it could be you Suburban Cricket Association, got solid performance and tested the taking on the Blues at the SCG. a once in a lifetime opportunity to Blues all the way. For more information on the Plan take on the Blues in a B Game Changer competition, Rosebuds president, Alex Bird Bottom: Ricky Milne match. visit Cricket NSW Facebook page said how much the team enjoyed takes a classic catch on the SCG! or whatsyourplanb.net.au. The chance came about thanks the experience. to a competition run by the NSW Blues’ major sponsor, Transport “It was a dream come true for the for NSW. lads. We’re still pinching ourselves and are on a real high,” he said. Cricketers across the State had the chance to take on their Bird also emphasised the heroes by sending in their best importance of having a ‘Plan B’ on-field moment that was a ‘Plan whether it be on the field or off B Game Changer’, turning the the field. tide in a match that seemed lost. “On the field you always need Plan B is Transport for NSW’s an ace up your sleeve for those drink-driving campaign, which game changing moments. After a encourages anyone heading on a big game, most of us like to have night out to make sure they have a drink to celebrate so it’s always a safe Plan B to get home, rather important to have a Plan B on how than drinking and then driving. you’re going to get home safely.” IT’S WHAT’S ON THE INSIDE THAT COUNTS

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