Gold Coast’s quirky place in Ashes cricket history

The Gold Coast owns a quirky Ashes history with a mix of talent from both nations. Rhys O’Neill looks at our unique footprint on cricket’s biggest prize.

GOLD Coast implanted the harsh realities of the “Aussie way” on one-Test English quick John Stephenson via a frank net session.

Others, like first class batting giant Graeme Hick, hardly needed the lesson.

Australia’s cricket philosophy, the not-so-subtle barbs and in-your-face style, somehow stirred deliciously with a laidback attitude, has infiltrated many English players on the Gold Coast.

Indeed, more than a full team of Ashes talent – some imports, some homegrown – have strong links to a region that rejoices in every past success of the adopted locals.

John Stephenson (right) chats with Prince Philip at Lord's Cricket Ground in London this year. Photo: Arthur Edwards/WPA Pool/Getty Images

“John Stephenson was an interesting character – we turned Stevo a bit,” Gold Coast District Cricket Club president Jeff Pfaff grins.

“He was a proper Englishman when he arrived.

“When he was bowling in the nets if batsmen hit the ball out he’d ask them to go and fetch it.

“I don’t think that lasted very long because he got told if he bowled the rubbish he should go and fetch it himself.

“By the end he was one of the guys.”

Stephenson’s sole Test for England was in the doomed 1989 campaign, with the paceman later joining his brother on the Coast before returning home in recent years.

Hick, who endured a modest Test career despite notching more than 100 first class centuries, is now Australia’s Test batting coach – only a handful of years after holding the same role at the Dolphins.

“He was the best talent that came to us,” Pfaff said.

“He was an awesome cricketer but down to earth. He’d go out fishing with the guys.”

Graeme Hick playing for Queensland in a Sheffield Shield match.

Adam Hollioake, Mark Wood, Frank Tyson and Geraint Jones (England) all spent time in Gold Coast ranks in some form or another and at various stages of their careers.

Dirk Wellham, Sam Loxton, Craig McDermott and Greg Campbell are their Aussie counterparts.

Ryan Harris is set to join them should the one-time Test quick step onto a Gold Coast field, as planned.

Andrew Symonds playing for the Gold Coast Dolphins.

Then there’s Andrew Symonds, a bona fide local hero who rose to elite status after breaking into the Dolphins line-up when Wellham skippered the side.

“The Gold Coast is a magnet for people to come and live, particularly retired cricketers,” Pfaff said.

“It’s nice and warm and it makes their sore knees and backs better as opposed to English winters.

“There have always been those types of characters around Gold Coast cricket.

“While they have moved in retirement they have always stayed around Gold Coast cricket and have given back to the next generation.”

JEFF PFAFF ON ...

JOHN STEPHENSON

“He was a proper Englishman when he arrived. I don’t think that lasted very long because he got told if he bowled the rubbish he should go and fetch it himself.”

GRAEME HICK

“He was just an awesome cricketer but down to earth. He’d go out fishing with the guys.”

GREG CAMPBELL

“He was different. He was a fiery character and he was just about a foot too short for a fast bowler. If he’d been a foot taller, with those angry pills he took he’d have been sensational and could have played five times as many Tests.”

ANDREW SYMONDS

“Once he got the confidence he was such a great cricketer. He was shy when he started and came out his shell. When back at club cricket he refused to wear Queensland gear. He was big on honouring the badge.”

The great Sam Loxton playing in a Sheffield Shield match in the 1950s.

THE COAST ASHES SQUAD

Line-up of cricketers who played in an Ashes and contributed to Gold Coast cricket:

Dirk Wellham (Dolphins)

Graeme Hick (Dolphins/Bond Uni)

Andrew Symonds (Dolphins)

Adam Hollioake (Dolphins)

Sam Loxton (umpire)

Geraint Jones (Beenleigh)

John Stephenson (Dolphins)

Ryan Harris (Surfers)

Mark Wood (Palm Beach)

Craig McDermott (Dolphins)

Frank Tyson (Dolphins coach)

Greg Campbell (Dolphins)