Melbourne University Sport -

Melbourne University Cricket - Celebrating 150 Years Not Out
08/03/2007
By Rod Warnecke

The Melbourne University Cricket Club celebrated 150 years with a luncheon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday 4 March. Formed just three years after the University first opened its doors in 1853, the Club is the oldest sporting club at the University of Melbourne.

Some 120 past and present players attended the luncheon in the MCG’s Harrison Room that coincided with the fourth day of the Pura Cup clash between Victorian and Western Australia. Players from the 40’s through to the current era were in attendance. Many of the older statesmen wore their Blues blazers and Club caps, while others brought in pieces of club memorabilia and intervarsity photos from games gone by.

Melbourne University Cricket Club President Kevan Carroll welcomed guests to the 150 Not Out celebrations, and was understandably excited about having so many of the club’s greats in the one room.

Click on the MUCC logo at left to view a slideshow presentation from the luncheon.

“It was fantastic to catch up with many of our past champions and club legends. As a Club, we’ve helped developed eight Test Cricketers and 55 First-class players for Victoria. And we’ve been fortunate to play a part in the lives of many great Australians who’ve gone on to be leaders in their chosen fields.

“We’ve been entertained by some wonderful stories from Colin McDonald about his tours with the Australian team in the 50s, and about many of the other memorable moments of the Club’s history. Although I’m quite sure that some of the stories told about past intervarsity triumphs against Sydney and Adelaide have been slightly embellished over the years. But in the end, that’s all part of why we’re here today” said Mr Carroll.

Having been the nursery for Australian Test cricketers – Ted A’Beckett, Roy Park, Keith Rigg, Colin McDonald, George Thoms, Bob Cowper, Paul Sheahan and Jim Higgs – MUCC has certainly played its part in developing the ‘gentleman’s game’ in this country. Perhaps a record in itself, University’s opening pair of Thoms and McDonald was also the Victorian and Australian opening partnership in the 1952. And Bob Cowper’s 307 against England at the MCG in 1966 was the highest Test score in Australia by an Australian until Matthew Hayden’s recent 380 versus Zimbabwe.

Professor Manning Clark, considered by many to be Australia’s leading historian, played First XI cricket for University. Other leaders in their field who played for MUCC included Myeloma researcher Professor Greg Mundy, former Australian Chief Medical Officer Professor Richard Smallwood, and Justices Bill Gillard, David Ashley and Tom Wodak. Cricket Australia Director Tony Steel, CEO James Sutherland and former International Cricket Council President Malcolm Gray all cut their teeth with MUCC. Dr Allen Robertson, MUCC’s President for many years, was also Chairman of the Australian Board of Control (today’s Cricket Australia) during the infamous Bodyline series.

University has also been the home away from home for a number of internationals. English great Frank ‘Typhoon’ Tyson captain-coached University in the 1960s, and Ian Botham spent an Australian summer plying his trade on the Uni Oval prior to becoming one of the game’s greatest all-rounders!

Ron Steiner, former MUCC player/President and current General Manager of Rugby Victoria, did a fantastic job interviewing a series of guest speakers and tied the event together as the Master of Ceremonies. Those interviewed included Colin McDonald, James Sutherland and current Club Coach Hugh van Cuylenburg. The luncheon also included an audio-visual presentation celebrating the Club’s famous cricketing identities and club personalities. Congratulations to Kevan Carroll, Andrew Burridge and others involved in this wonderful club event. Melbourne University Cricket Club – 150 Not Out and now taking block towards 200.


Home Membership Facilities Group Fitness Health Services Clubs Sport and Recreation Ski Lodge About Us Contact Us News Archive Merchandise	Melbourne University Cricket - Celebrating 150 Years Not Out 08/03/2007 By Rod Warnecke The Melbourne University Cricket Club celebrated 150 years with a luncheon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday 4 March. Formed just three years after the University first opened its doors in 1853, the Club is the oldest sporting club at the University of Melbourne. Some 120 past and present players attended the luncheon in the MCG’s Harrison Room that coincided with the fourth day of the Pura Cup clash between Victorian and Western Australia. Players from the 40’s through to the current era were in attendance. Many of the older statesmen wore their Blues blazers and Club caps, while others brought in pieces of club memorabilia and intervarsity photos from games gone by. Melbourne University Cricket Club President Kevan Carroll welcomed guests to the 150 Not Out celebrations, and was understandably excited about having so many of the club’s greats in the one room. Click on the MUCC logo at left to view a slideshow presentation from the luncheon. “It was fantastic to catch up with many of our past champions and club legends. As a Club, we’ve helped developed eight Test Cricketers and 55 First-class players for Victoria. And we’ve been fortunate to play a part in the lives of many great Australians who’ve gone on to be leaders in their chosen fields. “We’ve been entertained by some wonderful stories from Colin McDonald about his tours with the Australian team in the 50s, and about many of the other memorable moments of the Club’s history. Although I’m quite sure that some of the stories told about past intervarsity triumphs against Sydney and Adelaide have been slightly embellished over the years. But in the end, that’s all part of why we’re here today” said Mr Carroll. Having been the nursery for Australian Test cricketers – Ted A’Beckett, Roy Park, Keith Rigg, Colin McDonald, George Thoms, Bob Cowper, Paul Sheahan and Jim Higgs – MUCC has certainly played its part in developing the ‘gentleman’s game’ in this country. Perhaps a record in itself, University’s opening pair of Thoms and McDonald was also the Victorian and Australian opening partnership in the 1952. And Bob Cowper’s 307 against England at the MCG in 1966 was the highest Test score in Australia by an Australian until Matthew Hayden’s recent 380 versus Zimbabwe. Professor Manning Clark, considered by many to be Australia’s leading historian, played First XI cricket for University. Other leaders in their field who played for MUCC included Myeloma researcher Professor Greg Mundy, former Australian Chief Medical Officer Professor Richard Smallwood, and Justices Bill Gillard, David Ashley and Tom Wodak. Cricket Australia Director Tony Steel, CEO James Sutherland and former International Cricket Council President Malcolm Gray all cut their teeth with MUCC. Dr Allen Robertson, MUCC’s President for many years, was also Chairman of the Australian Board of Control (today’s Cricket Australia) during the infamous Bodyline series. University has also been the home away from home for a number of internationals. English great Frank ‘Typhoon’ Tyson captain-coached University in the 1960s, and Ian Botham spent an Australian summer plying his trade on the Uni Oval prior to becoming one of the game’s greatest all-rounders! Ron Steiner, former MUCC player/President and current General Manager of Rugby Victoria, did a fantastic job interviewing a series of guest speakers and tied the event together as the Master of Ceremonies. Those interviewed included Colin McDonald, James Sutherland and current Club Coach Hugh van Cuylenburg. The luncheon also included an audio-visual presentation celebrating the Club’s famous cricketing identities and club personalities. Congratulations to Kevan Carroll, Andrew Burridge and others involved in this wonderful club event. Melbourne University Cricket Club – 150 Not Out and now taking block towards 200.