Nervous Nineties: List of every Gold Coast cricketer out on 99

Since 2004 there have been 30 instances of a senior Gold Coast cricketer getting out one run shy of a century. On Saturday, Mudgeeraba’s Liam Markey added his name to the list.

THEY ARE aptly named the ‘Nervous Nineties’.

The 10 runs that separate a quality knock from a magical century, and the most difficult to get in an innings.

Just ask Liam Markey.

On Saturday the Mudgeeraba Blue fourth grade batsman became the 29th player since 2004 to finish a Gold Coast Cricket senior innings on 99.

Markey entered the fray in the Mudgeeraba derby with his unbeaten side in a tough spot at 3/69.

”We were in a bit of trouble,” Markey recalled.

“The young Colts team was bowling really well and we’d been struggling.

“I saw the score, saw we needed something to change the momentum a bit because they were on top.”

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So like any good number five, Markey started swinging for the fences.

He blasted 15 boundaries – nine of them sixes – en route to 99 off just 38 deliveries.

Then tragedy struck.

With his fourth senior century in sight, Markey sent a thick edge to cow corner and caught.

Four runs shy of another century, Markey thought. Damn.

It wasn’t until he got to the sideline that his teammates informed him he was actually on 99 and not 96 like he thought.

“I thought I heard the boys say ‘one more big hit’, meaning one more boundary, but they said ‘one more hit’ as in one run,” Markey said.

“I didn’t realise I was on 99 – that makes it a bit more comical I guess.”

Last season Markey brought up his third-ever ton in 39 balls. His eyes lit up at the prospect of reaching the magic milestone one delivery earlier than his previous best.

Instead, he consigned himself to an exclusive list of unlucky Gold Coast cricketers.

“Honestly it’s pretty gutting,” Markey said of the feeling.

“You just think ‘what if I did this or that instead’. But that’s the way cricket goes.

“It was good to help the boys out (with the bat) for once at least.”

Despite his unfortunate dismissal, Markey’s knock was still the fifth-highest innings in Coast cricket at the weekend and helped his side stay perfect in the derby.

Mudgeeraba Blue went on to record a 115-run win.

“The boys like the challenge – it’s bragging rights (at Mudgeeraba) at the end of the day,” Markey said.

“It was a game where we had everything to lose and they had everything to win.

“Full credit to the Colts, they’re a bloody good bowling side and they have a lot to offer with the bat.”

Markey became the sixth player to record a fourth grade 99 since 2004.

KOOKABURRA CUP - 3

Nicholas Peterson (Southport Labrador) Round 4 2015-16 v Alberton

Scott Sanderson (Burleigh) Round 14 2020-21 v Queens

Jack Lickiss (Helensvale Pacific Pines) Round 14 2019-20 v Alberton Ormeau

2ND GRADE - 7

Kushaal Ram (Coomera Hope Island) Round 16 2020-21 v Surfers Paradise

Lydon Gibbons (Mudgeeraba Nerang) Round 4 2013-14 v Queens

Riley Coulson (Palm Beach Currumbin) Round 12 2018-19 v Coomera Hope Island

Zac Gayfer (Mudgeeraba Nerang) Round 1 2019-20 v Burleigh

Chris Swan (Surfers Paradise) Round 4 2012-13 v Runaway Bay

Isaac Hughes (Palm Beach Currumbin) Round 2 2006-07 v Alberton

Mitchell Shepherd (Broadbeach Robina) Round 5 2006-07 v Runaway Bay

3RD GRADE - 7

Clinton Upchurch (Mudgeeraba Blue) QF 2019-20 v Mudgeeraba Colts

Taylor Ericsen-Miller (Tamborine Mountain) Round 6 2019-20 v Runaway Bay

Chaminda Perera (Queens) Round 6 2019-20 v Broadbeach Robina

Clint Vidler (Mudgeeraba Blue) Round 4 2011-12 v Mudgeeraba Red

Rhys Finn (Mudgeeraba) Round 3 2013-14 v Helensvale

Jason Duxbury (Mudgeeraba Red) 2004-05 v Runaway Bay

Brett McLennan (Helensvale) Round 3 2008-09 v Palm Beach Currumbin

4TH GRADE - 5

James Davies (Mudgeeraba Blue) Round 17 2014-15 v Southport Labrador

Ben Daley (Helensvale) Round 7 2015-16 v Southport

Jagdev Sandhu (Palm beach Gold) Round 19 2015-16 v Surfers Paradise

Russell Smith (Runaway Bay) Round 8 2013-14 v Coomera Hope Island

Brent Klidomitis (Tamborine Mountain) Round 14 2010-11 v Helensvale Pacific Pines

5TH GRADE - 6

Samuel Shepherd (Mudgeeraba Blue) Round 16 2016-17 v Broadbeach Blue

Dale Ashton (Southport Labrador) Round 14 2018-19 v Alberton Ormeau

Mark Ross (Mudgeeraba Red) Round 8 2010-11 v Tamborine Mountain

Kurt De Silva (Mudgeeraba Silver) Round 11 2009-10 v Southport Labrador Gold

Craig Deaman (Queens) Round 5 2008-09 v Loganholme

Liam Markey (Mudgeeraba Blue) Round 5 2021-22 v Mudgeeraba Colts

6TH GRADE - 2

Oscar Longworth (Surfers Paradise Red) Round 2 2017-18 v Surfers Paradise Blue

Nam Oh (Bonogin) Round 6 2021-22 v Surfers Paradise

NINETY-NINE NOT OUT- 4

An even more exclusive list is that of the 99 not-out group, comprised of four unlucky souls who were left stranded on the cusp of a tonne - including one familiar name who also appeared above.

Kookaburra Cup: Nicholas Peterson (Southport Labrador) Round 5 2016-17 v Palm Beach Currumbin

4th Grade: Jess Turner (Coomera Hope Island) Round 2 2020-21 v Queens

5th Grade: Mark Stokes (Southport Labrador) Round 7 2020-21 v Helensvale Green

6th Grade: John Fish (Broadbeach Robina) Round 15 2013-14 v Palm Beach Currumbin