Phil O’Sullivan: Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club legend dies
Tributes have been paid to one of the unsung figures of Australian cricket, without whom World Series Cricket may never have got off the ground. Phil O’Sullivan also coached the likes of David Warner and was instrumental in expanding coaching for juniors.
Wentworth Courier
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The man who introduced cricketing great Tony Greig to Kerry Packer spawning the World Series Cricket phenomenon, Phil “Mr Cricket” O’Sullivan, has died.
The 97-year-old Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club legend who lived in both the Waverley and Hillsdale areas, passed away last week in Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick following a short illness.
Mr O’Sullivan, who received an OAM for his exceptional contribution to cricket, was involved with the club since the 1930s right up until his death.
His legacy lives on in the grandstand at Waverley Oval which was named in his and fellow clubman Bob Horsell’s honours in 2012.
He was president of the then Waverley club from 1979 to 1987, a life member, longtime sponsor through his well known business O’Sullivan’s Garage in Bondi and instrumental in expanding the juniors program which is now Australia’s largest and boasts almost 600 players.
Current club president, cricket commentator Jim Maxwell, said Mr O’Sullivan’s recruitment of Mr Greig as club captain in 1975 and bringing Mr Packer on board as a club sponsor in the same era had become the stuff of Aussie cricketing legend.
“That brought an extremely good outcome for the club in winning the premiership when Tony played but also a lot of good spirit in the local community,” Mr Maxwell said.
“It was certainly a long relationship for both of them between Tony and Kerry. With the World Series Cricket, Kerry got on board not only as a player but a recruiter during that extraordinary period of cricket.
“And all that was enabled in many ways by the Phil O’Sullivan association.”
Mr Maxwell said Mr O’Sullivan had tirelessly volunteered at the club during good times and bad with the latter including a number of attempted amalgamations which he helped stave off.
He also credits him with revolutionising the sponsorship system at the club which ensured its financial security.
Mr O’Sullivan organised the first overseas tour by a grade cricket club to New Zealand in 1968 followed by a tour of China.
He coached Dave Warner as a junior and crossed paths with the likes of Wendell Bill, the Fingletons, Harold Butler, Bruce Francis, Alan McGilvray, David Hourn, Geoff Boycott and Malcolm Marshall during his many years at the club.
But to Bob Horsell who shares the honour of the grandstand with Mr O’Sullivan, first and foremost he was a good mate of 60 years.
“Phil was a lifetime benefit to the club. he was just an amazing man,” Mr Horsell said.
Mr O’Sullivan is survived by his wife of 74 years, Joan, his son Chris, daughter-in-law, Patricia, four grandsons and five great grandchildren.
Anyone who knew Mr O’Sullivan is invited to watch his funeral which will be livestreamed on Friday August 21 at 11am at funeralvideo.com.au/PhillipOSullivan.