Ex-Aussie leg spinner’s Mornington homecoming

At 50, Bryce McGain has spun Mornington back into the MPCA finals. He talks about teammates, “concrete” wickets and a stunning $9 fine.

Bryce McGain bowling for Mornington. Picture: Alan Dillon

It was a long time between drinks, so to speak, for former Australian leg spinner Bryce McGain.

And it was while sipping a cold one after playing for Mornington — his junior club — in early October this season that the length of time hit home.

“In my first game back against Dromana at the beginning of the season the team actually fined me a dollar for every player who wasn’t born the last time I played (for Mornington),” McGain said.

“The last time I played at Mornington was 29 years ago, so it cost me nine bucks. Nine of the blokes weren’t even born.

“We had a good laugh about that when we were working it out at the end of the day.

“Gee, it’s a long time and it goes so fast.”

Bryce McGain gets a handshake from Mike Hussey after getting his baggy green.

At 50, and 13 years after playing one Test match for Australia alongside the likes of Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey and Mitchell Johnson, McGain took the opportunity to go back to where it all started, Alexandra Park, Main St, Mornington.

“It just seemed the right time,” he said.

“I did some pre season training with the guys and got to know them.”

McGain has played seven games for Mornington this season, and excelled.

He’s taken 13 wickets, at 13, including a haul of 4-24 off 26 overs against Flinders last Saturday, as well as contributing valuable runs in the lower order, to help the Bulldogs cement a finals berth in Peninsula division with a round to go.

“It’s good fun, I’m really enjoying it,” McGain, who is back living in Mornington, said.

“I’m enjoying bowling, I still know how to take a wicket or two.’’

Bryce McGain. Picture: Alan Dillon

McGain strikes. Picture: Alan Dillon

McGain and his younger teammates have Mornington back in flag contention after a lean period for the club, which included relegation from the top grade Provincial last season.

The Bulldogs have regained their bite.

“And every game that goes on we’re enjoying it more and more as team, just staying in the moment, not stressing about outcomes,’’ McGain said.

“I think by and large they enjoy having me around. I haven’t asked them. But there’s plenty of laughing and smiles so I think we’re all enjoying it.”

After plying his trade on turf pitches for the past three decades, McGain admits a return to synthetic pitches has presented a challenge.

“It is really different, I’ve had to adapt quickly,’’ he said.

“It just means I’ve got bowl a bit differently to how I might have on turf where you want a whole lot of over spin, you want to extract as much bounce as you can but on the concrete wickets sometimes the bounce is a bit excessive.

“When we played Seaford (Tigers), guys were just walking away, letting it bounce and spin over the wicket and you go, ‘oh, okay, well I better do something different here’.”

McGain said a return to the local grounds on the peninsula made him realise there was a “something special’’ about local cricket.

Bryce McGain played against Flinders first XI player Sam Field, 13. Picture: Facebook

When Mornington played against local rivals Mt Eliza in January, peninsula cricket legend Brian “Cuey” McCue spoke about the long history between the clubs.

McGain loved that.

“It’s actually a great atmosphere,’’ McGain said.

“Premier Cricket has it to some extent but local cricket gets it a lot more. I’ve really enjoyed that and seeing the guys who helped me out as a kid around Mornington. Boy, time flies and there I am still wheeling away out there. It’s been really cool.”

Last round, McGain played against Flinders, which included 13-year-old Sam Field. The pair posed for photos.

“What a ripping guy,’’ Sam’s dad Dwayne Field said.

“He was very generous with his time after the match. I wish they were all like him.’’

*McGain’s previous match for Mornington before this season was the 1992-93 MPCA Provincial grand final. Mornington defeated Baden Powell, RM Hooper Oval, at Graydens Rd, Hastings.

McGain made his Mornington First XI debut in 1990-91. He is MCC player No. 457.

McGain’s Test cap is No. 410.