MPCA: Flinders Cricket Club to celebrate its 150th anniversary

Flinders Cricket Club is set to celebrate its 150th anniversary by unveiling its “champion” team. Here’s a look back at the Sharks’ journey, their champions and characters.

Flinders Cricket Club has been home to champions and characters over the past 150 years.

Flinders Cricket Club — established 1874 — is unique.

Opposition clubs that play at the picturesque BA Cairns Reserve regard it as a treat, with the coastal oval providing a holiday vibe.

But Flinders reckons that relaxed mindset is to its advantage; the Sharks like to attack when least expected.

“I think some clubs treat it as a holiday when they come down,” former Flinders president and long-time player Clint Munday said.

“Often clubs get the bus down.

“We actually use that as a bit of a motivation when we play some teams; sometimes clubs don’t take us seriously…it’s more of a getaway for them.”

BA Cairns Reserve at Flinders.

Flinders is one of the oldest clubs in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association, behind Mornington (founded in 1863).

Champions, Test cricketers, local greats and characters have donned the red and blue Flinders cap over the years.

West Indian all-rounder Collis King played for the club in 2000-01, while Sri Lankan first-class player Asanga Seneviratne made a big impact at Flinders in the late 1980s, including a knock of 161, which is still the highest score in the 1st XI.

The famous English fast bowler Frank “Typhoon” Tyson and Australian Test batsman Bob Cowper played in a charity match at the Flinders ground in the 1960s.

Collis King played for Flinders in 2000-01.

Gav Symes (right) celebrates a wicket.

Flinders has produced a swag of champion players.

John Lawson, who is now 90, is the club’s all-time leading wicket taker (with 615 scalps) as well as the fourth highest run scorer after a glittering career in the 1950s and 60s.

Jamie Symes is arguably the greatest batter to play for Flinders — his unbeaten 149 in the 1999-00 premiership is still spoken about. He’s the club’s third highest run scorer (5468) and has scored the most centuries (12).

Brilliant opening bowler Greg Wilson, all-rounder Graham Peck and modern day stars Dwayne Field and Shane Beggs are also among Flinders’ finest.

Munday, who nearly died on the ground 20 years ago while playing for Flinders, loves the club.

He suffered a burst aorta while opening the batting in a semi final in 2003, only to be saved by the umpire who happened to be a leading doctor, the great Sam Kumar.

Flinders stalwart Clint Munday.

Munday survived but endured complications including a blood clot that resulted in his leg being amputated.

But Munday’s passion for Flinders saw him make a playing comeback three years later.

He says Flinders is a special place.

“Cricket is probably the secondary thing maybe — if you know what I mean,” he quipped

“Being able to sit on the balcony there having a few nice drinks. It’s not super hot like it is at some of the other grounds, you get that nice breeze.”

Flinders Cricket Club was originally located where the current golf course.

More than 170 people are expected to celebrate the club’s 150th birthday on February 17, at the Flinders golf club.