My Tony Grieg signed St Peter (SP) remains held together by the adhesive agents of love and nostalgia. Purchased during my first working summer of part time work, it recently re-emerged during a house move. (Wonderful article)
I can’t remember the name of my first bat but I do know it was made in a factory in Ringwood. The former fast bowler Ian Callen was making bats for many years, maybe from the same place?
My old club once bought a couple of Dennis Lillee aluminium bats. They had no middle whatsoever and ended up in the training gear bag.
My 1984 Rod Marsh signature Gray Nic powerspot sits in my study beside hundred of cricket books including a Galaxy of Haighs 😂
A fabulous piece Gideon. Read here in Brisbane as the rain pours on our EKKA holiday and the CM “reporting” on AB’s views on the Gabba MUST GO as we are no longer worthy of a summer test match until the government can work out what to do in preparation for the 2032 Lympics.
Sigh.
Nice to disappear into childhood and adulthood happy chats about the middle. What about the old how many rubbers in the handle debate?
The UWA vets took one of Gilly’s bats on a UK tour - swapped it on the boundary like under 10s after every dismissal-next level bat but made little difference
I lent my much loved and by then retired GC Master to a school cricket team when I was a PE Teacher. I accepted a position overseas and completely forgot about my loan, which also happened to be the bat I made my first ever hundred with!!
Wasn't that good then let alone now, one century in 25 seasons! But I was part of an A, B, and C Grade Premiership (captained the latter at 37). They can never take that off me!
PS I met your Dad at a medical conference in Atlanta 20 years ago - he was very proud of you.
First was a hard plastic bat which was the subject of a lot of laughs at first but once the kids saw the power, they wanted to play with it. It was discarded by mother while I was away.
2nd bat was a KG Clifton bought only because my coach said - even bowlers need to bat. Stayed with me for nearly a decade before a classmate lost it.
In between, I learnt batting with the team bats. There was a Kookaburra Kahuna which is kept with a friend because the best knock it saw was a 64*(18) & that's probably the best I've ever batted.
3rd bat is a Tennis cricket bat I currently use. It has adequate scoops for balance.
Last one, I purchased another hard plastic bat & it was promptly banned in a couple of weeks because the ball would ping off it faster than anything I've seen. In a small indoor cricket spot, it broke 3 fingers in 4 weeks.
Where are the screws out of which the ball is sometimes hit?
I first heard Ian Chappell use that expression and still don't understand it either.
Appears to be an expression from Golf!
https://www.hirekogolf.com/hitting-the-ball-on-the-screws
Thanks, I'm edified!
Definitely adopted from golf. The old drivers had hitting surfaces fixed by four screws around the ‘sweet-spot’, hence ‘hitting it out of the screws’
Great article as always. Never buy a secondhand bat as no one ever sells a truly good one!
True that, Slim.
Hope all is well at your end of the wicket
Training Saturday, weather's looking good.
My Tony Grieg signed St Peter (SP) remains held together by the adhesive agents of love and nostalgia. Purchased during my first working summer of part time work, it recently re-emerged during a house move. (Wonderful article)
I always wanted an SP bat, but had to be content with the batting mitts.
You're welcome to borrow mine, but the middle may be past it's prime.
I can’t remember the name of my first bat but I do know it was made in a factory in Ringwood. The former fast bowler Ian Callen was making bats for many years, maybe from the same place?
My old club once bought a couple of Dennis Lillee aluminium bats. They had no middle whatsoever and ended up in the training gear bag.
They're probably worth a lot of money now, Greg.
I remember Ponting's bat during 2006 season where it was Kookaboora and was green in colour from the opposite side.
Remember, Hayden's mongoose bat.
Never caught on, but in a similar vein to Lance Cairns's Excalibur.
My 1984 Rod Marsh signature Gray Nic powerspot sits in my study beside hundred of cricket books including a Galaxy of Haighs 😂
A fabulous piece Gideon. Read here in Brisbane as the rain pours on our EKKA holiday and the CM “reporting” on AB’s views on the Gabba MUST GO as we are no longer worthy of a summer test match until the government can work out what to do in preparation for the 2032 Lympics.
Sigh.
Nice to disappear into childhood and adulthood happy chats about the middle. What about the old how many rubbers in the handle debate?
I did the two rubbers thing once. Was like graduating to long pants then realising you preferred shorts.
😂
Yes, I believe I've read them all; well and truly my favourite cricket author...although once upon a time I did like Mike Brearley of all people.....
Mike's three Ashes books are first rate.
Certainly a thoughtful contrast to some of the later 'Ashes Diaries...' although the latter can fill a gap (a bit like fast food can...).
The UWA vets took one of Gilly’s bats on a UK tour - swapped it on the boundary like under 10s after every dismissal-next level bat but made little difference
Magnificent.
I lent my much loved and by then retired GC Master to a school cricket team when I was a PE Teacher. I accepted a position overseas and completely forgot about my loan, which also happened to be the bat I made my first ever hundred with!!
It probably made lots of runs for the kids, Glen.
Still in the garage after 30 years
In case of a comeback? Never too late....
Wasn't that good then let alone now, one century in 25 seasons! But I was part of an A, B, and C Grade Premiership (captained the latter at 37). They can never take that off me!
PS I met your Dad at a medical conference in Atlanta 20 years ago - he was very proud of you.
Interesting. I haven't seen him for twenty-five years!
Apologies, none of my business but -
https://genius.com/Mike-the-mechanics-the-living-years-lyrics
No worries, Peter, but no regrets either.
Fantastic piece, as always, GH
Your thoughts on the arm guard? I have always found it to be an odd piece of cricket equipment.
Only purchased 4 bats.
First was a hard plastic bat which was the subject of a lot of laughs at first but once the kids saw the power, they wanted to play with it. It was discarded by mother while I was away.
2nd bat was a KG Clifton bought only because my coach said - even bowlers need to bat. Stayed with me for nearly a decade before a classmate lost it.
In between, I learnt batting with the team bats. There was a Kookaburra Kahuna which is kept with a friend because the best knock it saw was a 64*(18) & that's probably the best I've ever batted.
3rd bat is a Tennis cricket bat I currently use. It has adequate scoops for balance.
Last one, I purchased another hard plastic bat & it was promptly banned in a couple of weeks because the ball would ping off it faster than anything I've seen. In a small indoor cricket spot, it broke 3 fingers in 4 weeks.