NSW Premier Cricket: Gordon’s Tym Crawford, joint winner of O’Reilly Medal as Sydney’s best

Two years ago Tym Crawford’s time at the crease was under threat. Now with five blistering centuries against his name, the Gordon skipper has been crowned joint winner of the O’Reilly Medal.

Gordon first grade captain Tym Crawford plundered five centuries in NSW Premier Cricket, 2023-24. Supplied: Cricket NSW

Two years ago Gordon skipper Tym Crawford couldn’t even walk to the crease. Fast forward to this week, and the punishing right-hander bounded out of the gates to be crowned joint winner of the prestigious O’Reilly Medal.

In a whirlwind season that yielded 1303 runs at 56.65 across all formats, the 31-year-old cracked five top grade tons including a double century to be named NSW Premier Cricket’s best alongside Manly Warringah’s Bertie Foreman.

Runs aside, the award is recognition for a miraculous comeback from a debilitating knee injury that kept the schoolteacher sidelined for the entire 2021-22 season.

Now, when he’s not running classes at SCEGGS Darlinghurst, Crawford teachers Sydney’s bowling elite how to chase leather.

(L-R) O’Reilly Medal winners Tym Crawford and Bertie Forman. Supplied: Cricket NSW

After a subdued start, Crawford’s dream run grew legs in round seven when the Blues hopeful blasted 101 at North Sydney.

“I’m generally a pretty attacking player,” said Crawford, who now sits fourth on Gordon’s first grade run scoring list with 6625.

“This season I’ve just tried to put a bit more value on my wicket. I know I can put pressure on bowlers if I need to, but the improvements are all mental, and just being more disciplined with my game plan.”

A week later at Chatswood Oval chaos reigned supreme. Crawford had train drivers on high alert, crunching 10 sixes in an unbeaten 205 to join former NSW star, Ben Rohrer, as the highest scorer in a first grade one day match.

“That was the hottest day of the year against Penrith, but I got in early and gave myself time.” said an understated Crawford of his 140-ball knock.

“There were certainly lost balls, so yeah, I think it’s fair to say a few finished on the train tracks.”

Amazingly, the top order specialist peeled off a third straight century the following week in round nine.

“That was against Northern District. To score heavily against them and Sydney Uni gave me confidence, because they are probably the best bowling attacks in the comp and include contracted players,” he said.

Another two tons followed after the Christmas break, leaving the captain’s younger teammates to ponder what might have been.

“Sometimes the guys had a go at me for not giving them much of a go, or ruining other peoples weekends,” said Crawford.

“But it’s nice, there has been plenty of support from across the cricket community.”

Now the seventh Gordon player to win the award alongside current coach Elliot Richtor, Crawford still dreams of higher honours.

“I had a taste with the NSW Second XI this season and felt pretty comfortable in that space,” Crawford explained.

“In the past, guys doing well in grade haven’t always been given a chance at the next level, but there seems to be a shift back to recognising club performance as a pathway to higher honours.”

Pressed on an extraordinary season-long strike rate of 104, the “King of Sixes” signed off in style.

“Running is boring.”