Revealed: South Australia’s top country cricket legends from the Riverland to the outback
From a star batter who faced a West Indies great, fearless leather-flingers to tireless coaches and administrators, these legends are the Bradmans of the bush.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
They are the Pontings of the provinces, the Chappells of the country, the Davidsons of the dominions.
Bush legends, of the past or present, from right across the state, who have faced the pace aces and spin kings of the touring West Indian, English, Indian, Pakistani and South African teams, or simply served their country leagues for decades for nothing but fostering a love of the game at the very grassroots.
And now, their names and famous deeds have been recognised once more as South Australia’s top 20 country cricket.
PAUL MEYER
Brinkworth-Koolunga CC, Stanley Cricket Association
After beginning his A-grade career at the age of 15, this father of two has gone on to become a league life member and current vice president more than 30 years later.
Meyer, 46, has collected six premierships (captaining five) over his cricketing journey with Brinkworth-Koolunga, while making “five or six hundreds” as an opener.
A skipper for more than 15 years, Meyer also captained the association for a decade, winning titles against the likes of Rocky River and other country leagues.
However, he said winning flags was the best thing he had achieved in the game.
“Being able to skipper them to a few premierships, the first one being in the mid 90s, that was pretty special,” Meyer said.
“It had been a number of years since we had won one.
“In one grand final, we were bowled out for 69 then we bowled them out for 57, our opening bowler got 7/15 off nine overs, I got the last wicket bowling darts, nude nuts. I was a keeper in the early days.”
Today, Meyer enjoys coaching juniors and playing alongside his son Darcy while his daughter Lucy is turning out with West Torrens CC.
When pressed, he said a 172 not out against Lower North in a 45 over fixture at home, plus a couple of five fors, including a 5/9 off nine overs, were his most-prized personal achievements.
BRETT MURDOCK
Wirrabara-Murraytown and Georgetown, Rocky River Cricket Association
The man affectionately known as Beetle was something of a grand final specialist over nearly four decades.
During his playing days at two clubs – the now defunct Wirrabara-Murraytown and Georgetown — Beetle played in a total of 27 premiership deciders, pinching 12 flags at Wirrabara and two at Georgetown.
A pretty decent strike rate from nearly 40 years playing A-grade cricket.
However, Beetle’s stats on his personal career are a little less clear.
“I would not have a bloody clue,” Beetle said when asked about individual runs and wickets.
Although he recalls an unbeaten 201 against Laura, retiring after 31 overs, or taking five wickets as many balls, seven hat-tricks and the best-ever figures of 8/31 against Redhill.
Usually opening, or coming in at four, Beetle also sent down self-confessed military mediums before graduating to off spin, or “straight breaks”, later in his career.
He estimates he’s made over 50 centuries, and claimed over 400 wickets, after starting his career as a 16-year-old in the season of 1978/79, before retiring in 2015.
He was named Beetle by his partner many years ago: “I was so small, I didn’t start growing until I was 21 or 22,” he said.
A regular of country cricketer carnivals, and 10 times named in the team of the year, he says “mateship” was the best memory from his career.
“Having a beer after the game … the people you meet along the way,” he said.
Beetle, who is also a handy golfer with a handicap of two, is now a mad keen lawn bowler.
TODD CHARLTON
Berri and Loxton cricket clubs, Riverland Turf Cricket Association
With just over 330 A-grade games for Berri and Loxton, and around 9000 runs at an average in the mid-40s, Charlton stands out among the Riverland’s best-ever cricketers.
Charlton, who also claimed over 200 top flight wickets, has earned load of silverware too.
Awards include Riverland’s cricketer of the year award four times in the top flight – plus one in B-grade – numerous batting gongs, at both club and association level, to two Berri cricketer and Riverland all rounder of the year trophies each.
Charlton was made a life member of Berri in 2010, where he won an incredible 14 A-grade premierships and a B-grade flag — plus an A-grade flag at Loxton.
He also performed well at a higher level, representing SA Country at the national championships on four occasions.
Former association president Paul Stewart said special mention should also go to Charlton’s long time Berri teammate Matthew “Doc” Clifford, who holds the Berri A-grade premiership record with 15, and scored two double centuries over consecutive games in the 1994/95 season.
CRAIG NICHOLS
Olympic Dam CC, Roxby Districts Cricket Association
The diminutive wicket keeper has become a well-known name in cricketing circles up north.
The four-foot-nine, 57-year-old keeper is the only player to rack up 200 games, while registering than 3500 runs and 260 catches along the way.
Former league president Ben Vandeleur said Nichols had won ten premierships for Olympic Dam, including a peerless seven in a row.
“Which is amazing in a 12-game summer season and on shift work, so he only plays about 60 per cent of the season,” Mr Vandeleur said.
Nichols, who also played several Shield matches for Tasmania in his younger years, was “quicker than a hiccup behind the stumps” according to Vandeleur.
“He wears a baggy cap to the most ferocious of opening bowlers without breaking a sweat,” he said.
“Also the nicest guy you could ever meet. Put it this way if you’re at square leg and he goes up for a stumping you raise your finger because he’s not appealing if it’s not out.”
As a fitting honour, the best player on grand final day now collects the Craig Nichols Medal.
DON FISCHER
Pinnaroo CC, Pinnaroo and Border Cricket Association
Born in 1934, Fischer scored over 10,000 runs for Methodist Cricket Club – which became Pinnaroo CC in 1971 – with 1200 runs in just one season, plus 37 centuries including a triple and five doubles.
Former association president Heath Boseley said Fischer, a representative of many league teams, was involved in nine out of the best partnerships for each wicket for the club, usually with Fischer doubling his partner’s score.
“One occasion there was a partnership of over 100 and the batting partner was dismissed for a duck,” Boseley said.
“Once a tenth wicket partnership yielded 120 runs and the number 10 made 10.
“It is said that the latter order batters only needed to count to eight (eight ball overs in those days) and run.”
On one occasion, an Adelaide grade cricketer, turning out for Lameroo, suddenly developed a sore ankle and refused to bowl again after returning the figures of about 0/70 off six overs after copping the wrath of Fischer’s blade, according to the book Miracles of the Mallee.
Fischer, who was included in the famous Bradmans of the Bush tome, toured England with a SA country team in 1954.
To put it simply, he was part of many history-making partnerships at Pinnaroo.
In 1952, there was a fourth-wicket stand of 324 against Cowangie, with Fischer making 264.
Then a 72-run stand in 1954 against Parilla, of which his partner contributed two runs, in a score of about 350 where Fischer contributed an unbeaten 250.
He also captained the state country team against the visiting West Indians at Loxton, tossing the coin with the great Sir Garfield Sobers.
However, he would be Wes Hall’s final wicket of a hat-trick, after cleaning up his stumps.
“Wes signed a bat that afternoon and wrote a special note on it for Don: ‘Thanks for the hat-trick’,” Boseley said.
JOHN FORBES
Wayback CC, Port Lincoln Cricket Association
Over a ten-year period at Wayback, Forbes earned 534 wickets at the more than tidy average of 9.44 over 156 games.
Forbes claimed a five wicket haul on 46 occasions and ten wickets for the match seven times, with the finest figures of 9/9.
Association president Peter Tokarski said Forbes collected an amazing 97 wickets in the 1976/77 season alone.
However, his finals record was even better, banking 121 wickets at an “outstanding” average of just 5.9.
He also played in six A -grade premierships – including three as skipper – and won many club and league MVP awards.
Also a regular face in association sides, he played for SA Country against the touring India and Pakistan teams.
“Not only was he a great player but also a great club person,” Tokarski said, with Forbes everything from vice president, treasurer to association delegate and coach of its Colts squad.
BEN SMITH
Southern Eyre South CC, Port Lincoln Cricket Association
Smith has been a leading light of Port Lincoln cricket, both on and off the field.
Still playing, Smith has made more than 7000 runs for Southern Eyre while winning the club’s most valuable player ten times – plus numerous batting and bowling records – while skippering the A-grade for seven seasons.
Alongside three centuries and over 300 wickets across all formats, Smith has played in seven T20 titles.
The left-hander has also won five A-grade flags and represented the association for 15 years at carnivals, winning its overall best player award on three occasions.
Off the field, he has filled the roles of association vice president, delegate and secretary.
KEN HANNA
Gumeracha CC, Torrens Valley Cricket Association
Hanna is the closest thing to Don Bradman Gumeracha CC ever saw, according to his son Tim.
“Talented, scrupulously fair, extremely modest, a true gentleman and a keen observer and encourager of up and coming talent,” he said.
Born in Lobethal in 1925, Hanna began playing A-grade cricket at 14 years of age with Gumeracha but first made his name at West Torrens, striking 166 against Prospect at Prospect Oval as a 19-year-old in 1945, with 24 boundaries and one maximum.
“He was carried off the field by his teammates,” Tim said, with the club celebrating its 150th year this summer.
However, Hanna then made his way to Woodville for the 1946/47 summer, where he made the club’s first hundred with six sixes in the back half of the season, compiling 115 in 158 minutes out of a total of 211 against Glenelg in January, 1947.
An office clerk with the SA Railways and later a farmer and orchardist at Forreston, Hanna’s cricketing trajectory changed course after his brother Colin was killed in World War 2.
“If he didn’t have to come home after the war, after his brother was killed, he would have played for the state,” Tim says.
Hanna went back to the farm at Forreston and picked up where he left off at Gumeracha CC from 1948/49, punching out his highest score of 177 against Lenswood in December of that season.
Playing for over a decade, he clocked up around 150 games, captained the A-grade and won seven premierships.
Tim said his father’s career peaked in 1949 when he was the first country player to score a hundred against a SACA City team (120 out of 222 in February, 1949).
It was part of a batting barrage, with 621 runs in seven innings in a fortnight over January and February, 1949.
Hanna was able to mix it with the very best, contributing 34 for SA Country against a MECC attack of Statham, Bedser, Tyson and Appleyard in February, 1955, in Mount Gambier.
There were also games against South Africa in Port Lincoln in February, 1953, and a fixture in front of the Queen at the Adelaide Oval in a SACA versus country match the following year.
Tim says Hanna forged a reputation as a fine batsman, fellow and later, a shrewd country carnival selector.
“He was just a great bloke, he was a very fair player, skilled, a gentleman and he made many great friends during his cricket career,” Tim said.
A life member of the club and the league, the league’s cricketer of the year award is named in his honour.
Hanna died in 2008.
RICHARD MURPHY
Rovers CC, Tumby Bay and District Cricket Association
Cricket is known as the great leveller, but for Tumby Bay champion Richard “Pacer” Murphy, he’s probably seen more good days than bad on the field.
A life member of the association and Rovers CC, Murphy is regarded as a classy and aggressive batsman who was difficult to remove once established and strong on both sides of the wicket.
With great driving ability and exquisite timing, Murphy is the association’s all time run scorer – closing in on 16,000 runs – and was unsurprisingly selected in the league’s team of the century this year.
However, Murphy was reluctant to single out a favourite moment from a personal point of view.
“I don’t get too much enjoyment out of something personal, if it helps the team win that’s more important to me,” Murphy says.
He says the game has a great way of bringing even the most talented player back down to earth.
“Dad always told me cricket is a good leveller, you can go from hero to zero pretty quickly,” he said.
“The game has taught me about mental challenges, I’ve always been a believer it’s a tough game mentally.
“If you make a mistake you often don’t get a chance to make up for it.”
A brilliant fieldsman with great hands, he was also a shrewd tactician evidenced by his ability to skipper a team, either at Rovers (winning eight A-grade premierships) or the association in representative cricket.
His career began in senior cricket at the age of 14, and after more than 500 games, is still turning out in the A-grade at 48.
The right hander has scored 15,720 runs at 40.25 with 24 centuries and 104 half centuries, with a highest score of an unbeaten 164.
His cricketing CV is complemented by 272 catches and 100 wickets.
Off the field, Murphy has contributed across the fields of junior coaching, volunteering and holding all kinds of positions (delegate, secretary, selector, committee member) to assist the league and Rovers.
Hailing from a proud cricketing family, his brothers and late father Doug were all prominent and talented players.
“Cricket has been a big part of our family … it’s pretty important to local communities,” he said.
“Playing A-grade with my father and my two brothers was a very special memory.
“It’s a great outlet for a lot of people outside of work and life’s pressures.”
And the Murphy legacy continues with his son representing the SA Outback side in Queensland at just 17 years of age as a left arm bowler.
Together they played in an A-grade premiership last summer.
DALE MURPHY
Rovers CC, Tumby Bay Cricket Association
Murphy, brother of Richard, began as an opening fast bowler before breaking his neck in a car accident at the age of 17.
However, Murphy was able to recover and returned to the game around 18 months later, establishing himself as one of country cricket’s most successful bowlers, sending down slow mediums and sometimes leg spin.
Able to drop the ball on a 20 cent piece, and move the ball both ways, he has collected an association high of 789 wickets at 15.47, taking five wickets in an innings on 22 occasions with a best haul of 7/23, plus 155 catches.
He was also an accomplished right hand, middle order bat, amassing over 6000 runs in his career (6284 runs at 26.43) – including two centuries and 36 half centuries – with a highest score of 124.
He also captained the Rovers in A -grade for five years, earning himself a place in the club’s team of the century, and was on the club’s committee for two decades.
Off the field, Murphy is known as a player who has given back to the game as a highly regarded and respected volunteer, and association secretary, selector, treasurer and club delegate.
Also a life member of the association and the club, Murphy was selected in the association’s team of the century
IAN RODGERS
Quorn CC, Port Augusta Cricket Association
Rodgers has been a respected cricketer, captain and administrator for Quorn CC in the state’s Upper North for over 40 years.
His journey with the club began from a young age, quickly earning promotion to the town’s senior side.
Club records reveal that he plundered 10,249 runs at an average of just under 40, while claiming 243 wickets at 23.69 apiece from 1343 overs.
However, it is widely believed that these numbers are only half of his output, given that the first half of his senior career was played in the Northern Areas Cricket Association where clear records are not kept.
His elegant batting earned him numerous selections in the Upper North side to play in the SA country championships and his exemplary form led to his selection to play against a touring Sri Lankan side.
Rodgers’ performances, sportsmanship, affable nature and genuine love for the game has earned him the respect of teammates, opponents and fellow administrators over a wonderful career.
SIMON FUCHS
Proprietary CC, Port Pirie Cricket Association
A 14-time winner of the cricketer of the year trophy, the Grewer Medal, Fuchs is a worthy country cricket legend.
Also a life member of the association, Fuchs won 11 A-grade premierships (one as captain in 1996/97) while compiling 10,697 runs – including six hundreds and 62 half centuries – with a highest score of 127.
But that’s only half of the story.
Fuchs also collected 740 wickets with 17 five-wicket hauls and a hat-trick, with the best figures of 6/23.
Also an 11-times winner of the cricketer of the year award, based on umpire’s votes, Fuchs represented SA Country six times (captaining twice) and played against English and Sri Lankan touring teams.
He also was an Australian country representative.
While representing Port Pirie in association-level cricket, he collected 80 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls and a hat-trick, and 990 runs with seven half centuries.
JOHN L MOSEY
Robertstown CC, Kapunda CC, Eudunda-Robertstown CC, Barossa and Light Cricket Association
Dubbed ‘Bradman of the Bush’, John L Mosey’s resume is one of the most impressive in SA cricket.
The 76-year-old started his career at Robertstown as a bat-favouring all-rounder and went on to play 1006 matches over a span of 50 years for Robertstown, Kapunda and Eudunda-Robertstown when the two merged.
Over that time the right-handed batsman scored 37,283 runs at an average of over 50, took 2604 wickets as a left-arm medium pacer, and won 18 A-grade premierships.
He is recognised as SA’s most prolific run scorer in history by the SACA and is also one of only 10 players to score a century and take 10 wickets in the same innings.
Mosey is part of a long ‘John Mosey’ lineage at Robertstown, with 31 Moseys playing at the club in its history, and he and his son John are the only father-son pair to make a team of the year.
PETER NITSCHKE
Nuriootpa CC, Greenock CC, Barossa and Light Cricket Association
Despite being 65 years of age, Peter ‘Wooly’ Nitschke is still playing cricket today.
Now playing for Greenock CC, the medium pacer has been taking wickets for fun for decades.
Nitschke started his career in 1975 at Nuriootpa before moving to Tanunda – where he has a life membership – and then Greenock.
Over his career his best bowling performances have been 9/35 and 8/8, and he has 15 six-wicket hauls.
Nitschke has also won three Cricketer of the Year awards.
MARK THREADGOLD
Thevenard CC, Far West Cricketer Association
Threadgold has won Far West Cricketer of the Year on five occasions and registered over 7,000 runs at club and interleague level.
As a medium-paced bowler, he has taken more wickets than any other Thevenard player and his best return sits at 9/11.
Threadgold has won Cricketer of the Year at club level an extraordinary 11 times and has also won his fair share of fielding titles.
He now dedicates significant time to coaching.
BRENDAN KLOEDEN
Ceduna CC, Far West Cricket Association
Ceduna CC’s Brendan Kloeden has been the most prolific run scorer for the club and in Far West cricket over the last 20 years.
The ex-PAC Old Collegians player has captained Ceduna to five premierships – 09/10, 11/12, 13/14, 14/15 and 15/16 – scoring 14 centuries for the club during this period.
He has won the association’s Cricketer of the Year several times and has also been a consistent fielder and wicket keeper throughout his career.
ATHOL PAYNE
Cambrai CC, Fleurieu Districts Cricket Council, Great Southern Cricket Association
Payne, who passed away in 2005 at the age of 77, was a dominant wicket keeper and batsman for Cambrai and the Fleurieu Districts sides.
At 21 years old, Payne had the best batting aggregate in the Fleurieu District and he would go on to win multiple premierships with Cambrai.
After retiring from playing, he was the secretary of the Fleurieu Districts Cricket Council and held this role for 30 years.
The Fleurieu District’s best player medal is now named after Payne.
GRAHAM FULLER
Encounter Bay CC, Great Southern Cricket Association
Graeme Fuller was captain and then coach at Encounter Bay CC for his entire career.
Fuller had strong impact as a player and was able to help his team in any area of the game.
As a coach though is where he stood out, leading the club to multiple premierships through his time at the helm, and is credited for teaching the love and skills of the game to generations of players who have come through the club.
Fuller passed away in 2016 and there is now a plaque in tribute to him outside Encounter Bay Oval.
BEN WARREN
Langhorne Creek CC, Alexandra and Eastern Hills Cricket Association
Warren, who is well known for his achievements as a footballer and coach in the SANFL, has had a significant impact on the Langhorne Creek CC.
He has played 237 A-grade matches for the club and has been a top player throughout a 26-year period, winning his club’s Cricketer of the Year 12 times and the association’s Cricketer of the Year a record four times.
As a batsman he has 6651 at an average of 31 and has scored 13 centuries, and as a bowler he has 487 wickets, three hat-tricks, 10 wickets in a match five times, and five wickets in an innings 23 times.
Warren has three A-grade premierships with Langhorne Creek.
BRAD REDDING
Naracoorte CC, Naracoorte and District Cricket Association
Redding has played his entire cricket career at Naracoorte and has been a key part of the club’s success.
The top order batsman played a significant role in the club winning six premierships in seven years from 2012 to 2018 and has won countless Cricketer of the Year awards, the first coming at age 20.
His most successful run return in a season is over 1000 runs and he has also been a strong medium pace bowler.
He famously came back from a 12-month injury lay-off in 2015 and won Cricketer of the Year, averaging the highest batting aggregate in the association.
‘Like a second home’: Local footy club legend calls time
A Southern Football League great has called time on his dazzling career ahead of season 2025 after winning a fourth A Grade premiership with his beloved local club in 2024.
‘Gone up a notch’: Local footy club makes major additions for season 2025
A recently relegated Adelaide Footy League club has welcomed back a number of big names for 2025 including a former Crows gun and dual league medallist as it prepares for instant division two success.