The Sydney youngsters living out Aussie legend Mike Whitney’s passion for developing cricketers

Australian cricket legend Mike Whitney once followed a remarkable path to claim a baggy green by heading to the UK. Now a talented group of Sydney grade cricketers are aiming for the same success. Meet our future superstars. 

For aspiring young cricketers, at first glance, the dreary skies of England are about as enticing as mum’s game day sandwiches.

But as NSW is swamped by record rains, a selection of up-and-comers have headed to the northern cricket leagues hoping for a flood of runs and wickets.

Scattered throughout England, Wales and Ireland, the league competitions act as a stepping stone from grassroots to first class cricket.

Nobody understands their significance better than former Aussie quick, Mike Whitney. If not for a stint with Fleetwood in the Northern League competition back in 1981, the once feisty left-armer with the woolly hair says he would never have made his miraculous Test debut.

“I went over to Fleetwood as a 22-year old, got some early wickets then stepped up to Gloucestershire at county level – the touring Aussies had a few injuries, and next thing I'm rubbing shoulders with the likes of Dennis Lillee and Kim Hughes in the Test side,” he said.

Whitney played the first two of his 12 Tests in that Ashes series, eventually won by England 3-1. But for the boy from Randwick Cricket Club, it was the trip of a lifetime.

“There were about 20 guys from Sydney over there, blokes from other states and a large contingent of West Indians,” the effervescent 63-year old said.

“It taught me there’s more to getting wickets than bowling flat-out. I mean some days were wet, you could push your thumb in the pitch and only come off a few steps.

“I used to tell batsmen ‘if we were in Sydney I’d knock you out with a bouncer’, and they’d say ‘yeah, but we’re not’.”

On the subtleties off the pitch, as a young tearaway, Whitney learned plenty.

“Becoming independent was one thing, and it certainly taught me the value of money. About a third of my weekly earnings covered my board, so I quickly figured out how to stretch what was left.

“But the people were lovely, took me under their wing and made sure I fit in. I’ve still got friends in Fleetwood, after 41 years.”

Now President of Randwick Petersham Cricket Club, Whitney oversees the club’s program with Cricket Ireland that sees an Irish player travel Down Under each season for a stint at the club.

“If guys in our club are interested in a season abroad, we always encourage them and their parents. We’ve got a long list of contacts,” he said, before adding.

“This winter one of our young guys, Ben Mitchell, has headed over to Ireland for a stint with Leinster. He’s a country boy from Bathurst, he would’ve got a shock at first but he’s with good people.

“He’ll come back worldlier, and the pressure that comes with being an overseas pro will do wonders for his cricket.”

So how is Ben faring in Irish conditions? We take a look, and also chase down others suiting up on foreign soil.

Ben Mitchell

Leinster Cricket Union Premier League – Leinster CC | Randwick Petersham

The Randy Petes first-grader and Poidevin-Gray Shield all-rounder has taken Irish cricket by storm. Last June the left-hand opener flexed his muscles with a punishing 86 off 55 balls. After clearing the fence on seven occasions, he rounded out a flawless performance with the new ball to finish with 3 for 37. His season tally of 586 runs ranks fourth in the League and includes 22 maximums at an average of 41.9. Across all formats, Mitchell’s 35 wickets tops the list at a miserly 12.8 per wicket.

Corey Miller

Bradford Premier League – Bradford & Bingley CC | Northern Districts

A member of this year’s Australian Under-19 World Cup side, Miller has taken a shine to England’s north by blasting three hundreds. After 12 matches, the left-hander sits among the top-10 run scorers in the League with 548 runs at an average of 45.7. A season best 120 was closely matched by a patient 119, compiled against a highly rated Castleford spin attack.

Ethan Jamieson bowling for Australian Universities. Picture supplied by UNSW Cricket Club.

Ethan Jamieson

Birmingham and District Premier League – Shifnal CC| UNSW

After finishing the Sydney season with a maiden top-grade ton, the tall left-hander now sits second on Shifnal’s list for most runs. The 18-year old’s tally of 281 at 23.4 across all formats includes two fifties, but it’s with ball in hand where the burgeoning all-rounder continues to shine. His 18 wickets of right arm spin come at 24.9 and include a match winning 5 for 34 against Halesowen.

Jake Greenberg

Kent League – Cowdrey CC | UNSW

Another UNSW young gun, the all-rounder spent last summer in the Bees’ second grade and Poidevin-Gray Shield sides. In nine games for Cowdrey’s 1st XI Division 3 team, the right hander has struck two fifties, with a season best 65 coming in a match winning partnership of 118 against Orpington. An accurate medium pacer, Jake often takes the new ball and his 15 wickets at 15.5 currently rank 13th in the competition.

Krishna Padmanabhan

Kent League – Bickley Park CC | UNSW

Proving it’s never too late to travel, Padmanabhan, a veteran of the Melbourne club scene only moved to Sydney last season and now finds himself among the leaders for runs and wickets for Bickley Park in the Kent Premier League. His best performance, a brisk 87 not out off just 91 balls is one of three fifties among 312 runs at 26. Just as useful with the ball, Krishna’s right-arm leggies have returned 13 wickets at 25 apiece.

Ben Tracey

Yorkshire Southern Premier League – Whitley Hall CC | Penrith

Making his first grade debut for Penrith last summer, Tracey is fast tracking his development in Whitley Hall’s middle order. Scoring 247 runs at an average of 19, the highlight of Ben’s season to date is a 56 not out made in a successful run chase at Barnsley.

If there is someone we’ve missed, we’d love to know who.