Dear RPCC family,

We hope that you have been keeping well during these difficult times.

While we cannot currently provide an exact starting date for season 2021-22 due to the continued complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, advice that has been provided points to a hopeful commencement of a shortened season in November – most likely towards the end of the month – with primarily 1-day fixtures making up the competition.

A start date may not be certain at this stage, but what we are certain of is that the majority of Randwick Petersham’s wonderful sponsor base has recommitted to us for the season. We very much thank them for their support in these difficult times and wholeheartedly encourage all RPCC family members to support them in kind whenever they have the chance.

The RPCC management committee and coaching staff are currently hard at work, making sure that we can facilitate ‘pre-season’ training and practice matches in a manner compliant with health and public safety requirements. Practice dates and arrangements will be announced to the playing group once they have been finalised.

Given that we may be given as little as two weeks notice before the commencement of round 1, here are a few of the things that players can do to ensure they are ready for practice and play:

• Follow the fitness program by our very own Anthony Sams that has been provided throughout the winter. All players will be expected to be fit and ready to train and/or play.
• Attend the virtual sessions hosted on the various aspects of  cricket to help you prepare for the upcoming season.
• Once the season does commence it is likely that it will be a requirement for all players, officials and volunteers to be double vaccinated. Accordingly, we urge all club members to strongly consider getting vaccinated as soon as possible, or to seek medical advice from their GP if they are unsure.
• All players should download and request to join Randwick Petersham’s TeamApp page. All training, selection and game day news will be migrated from Mycricket by the time the season commences.
• Please don’t hesitate in contacting your club mates to check up on them to make sure they are doing OK or see if they need any assistance.

We are hopeful that as life starts to return to normal in the coming weeks, that we’ll be able to get together and play cricket as we always have. But until then, we all need to do our part to ensure that we can return as quickly and as seamlessly as possible.

Yours in cricket,

Randwick Petersham Cricket Management Committee & Coaching Staff

Mike Whitney joined the Randwick Club in the summer of 1976 looking to fill in time between South Sydney football and the crashing waves of the Maroubra surf. The fast left-arm bowling talent of the brash, outgoing 17 year old was quickly recognised by club officials and he took his place in the Fourth grade line-up. Match figures of 9-26 in his fourth match was a sample of what was to come in the years ahead.

Mike’s failure to turn up for a match the following season when he sneaked up to the Gold Coast to enjoy his team’s end-of-season, earned him a one match ban and the tag “Crazy” from his cricket mates. The lesson brought a change in attitude which has stood the test of time and proved him to be one of cricket’s greatest ambassadors.

After a handful of games in Randwick’s First XI, Mike debuted for NSW at the Gabba in 1980-81, sharing the new ball with Len Pascoe and Geoff Lawson.

To gain experience, Mike went to England in the 1981 off-season joining Fleetwood in the Northern League competition. After some impressive displays, he played three matches for Gloucestershire in the County Championship taking 13 wickets. While packing his bags for the next county match, he received a dramatic call to go to Manchester instead to join the Australian Test team.

Within two days he had taken the field at Old Trafford, wearing the Baggy Green in the Fifth Test v England and becoming the 313th cricketer to receive the honour. A fairytale debut for the 21 year old whose overall First Class experience totalled just seven matches.

Few of his many fans who nervously watched their TV screens back home will forget Mike Whitney’s first over in Test cricket. After one ball it rained, and he had to wait 87 minutes to complete the over! Terrible for his nerves, but certainly a record for the longest over on Test cricket debut. Mike went on to take 2-50 and 2-74 in his first Test including the prized scalp of David Gower.

In the next Test at The Oval he had an ordinary match with the ball but, defying the suggestion that his turn with the bat was purely to satisfy convention, he managed to stay with Allan Border while they added a vital 32 runs for the last wicket. Through Mike’s grit and determination, Border was able to take his score from 80 to 106*.

Upon returning home Mike played only 6 First Class matches for the Blues before being sidelined with a back injury. He recovered to take 45 Shield wickets the following season before his left knee collapsed in 1983-84. The popular medical opinion was that this career was finished. But through resilience and perseverance he bounced back after enduring numerous operations and a gruelling fitness regime.

In total Whit represented Australia in 12 Tests claiming 39 wickets with 7-27 his best in an innings and 11-95 his best match figures. While for his beloved Blues he played 118 matches claiming 412 wickets at 26.75. In the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, “for significant service to cricket and to the broadcast media.”

On this day Randwick Petersham recognises our President’s Test debut anniversary and his capping as Australia’s 313th Test cricketer.

Congratulations Whit!!

On Sunday February 21st Randwick Petersham defeated Sydney Cricket Club by 8 runs to win the 2020-21 Limited Overs Premiership. This was the Randy Petes second title in the competition – last beating Fairfield-Liverpool in 2011-12.

It was Jason Sangha’s 2nd title in as many seasons as skipper  to go with the Belvidere Cup win in 2019-20.

Batting first 232 was posted courtesy of Adam Semple (44*), Anthony Sams (44) and Tim Affleck (39). In the defence Jason Ralston was the pick of the bowlers with 3-40 and was backed up by 2 wickets apiece from Riley Ayre and Caelan Maladay. Anthony Sams was awarded the Michael Bevan Medal as Player of the Final with 6 dismissals, to compliment his efforts with the bat, including a 10m stumping on the penultimate ball of the match to seal victory.

Read the full match report here

TRUST RESPECT HUMILITY

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