NDCC | Blackmail Newsletter | 18th Nov 2025 No. 6
- crhambleton
- 5 days ago
- 15 min read
RESULTS & HIGHLIGHTS vs BLACKTOWN – ROUND 6, 8TH & 15TH NOV
1st Grade
Defending a mammoth 388, set up by
a brilliant Day 1 century from Lachlan
Shaw (184), the Rangers wasted no
time asserting control, with Charlie
Anderson (4/34) making early inroads
to put the boys firmly on the front
foot. Despite looming afternoon
storms threatening to force the game
to a draw, Jordan Fullager (3/37)
delivered a decisive late breakthrough,
guiding 1s to a commanding 165-run
win.
2nd Grade
Early wickets from Rubein Gobinath (2/19) and George Furrer (4/34) set the tone for the mighty 2s, who rolled
Blacktown for just 109 in 30 overs to secure a comfortable first-innings win. An outright result looked well within reach as Blacktown slumped to 4/110 in their second dig with plenty of time left in the day, but afternoon storms
brought an early end to play. 2nd Grade remains undefeated heading into a top-of-the-table showdown and a 2024/25 grand final rematch against Manly at MTO next week, which promises to be a blockbuster.
3rd Grade
Beginning the day still needing one wicket, the final Blacktown pair proved stubborn, dragging their total to 247 before finally being dismissed. With the bat, it was the Bartlett show once again, Anthony (85) and Lachlan (48) laid a strong platform for the middle order to build on. As storms rolled in, Nick Apps and Josh Bawcombe shifted gears, scoring quickly to secure a 5-wicket victory and send 3s to the top of the table.
4th Grade
Beginning the day in a strong position, Jonathan Stuart (54) picked up right where he left off last week, setting a commanding tone early. A dominant century from Will McFadden (104) then guided the boys to a comfortable 6-wicket victory, keeping them undefeated at the top of the 4th Grade ladder.
5th Grade
Facing a daunting chase, the 5s boys were in early trouble at 5/76. A brilliant fighting century from Dash Ratnam (103), well supported by Abdullah Shaikh (29), kept the Rangers in the hunt, but ultimately it wasn’t enough as they fell 40 runs short of Blacktown’s total.
RESULTS: PGs vs Sutherland - 16TH NOV at MTO
It was a tough day for the PG’s boys on Sunday, going down to a strong Sutherland side by 85 runs. Losing the toss and being sent into the field, Addison Sherriff (2/46) picked up two early wickets (including Sam Konstas) to put the Rangers on top early. Wickets proved hard to come by for the remainder of the innings, as a ruthless Sutherland middle order powered them to 295 off their 50 overs. With the bat, things never really got going for the boys, losing wickets at regular intervals, putting them well behind in the game. Lone resistance from Rubein Gobinath (55) towards the back end of the innings wasn’t enough, as the Rangers were bowled out for 210.
CONGRATULATIONS TO TWO BIG PERFORMERS
CONGRATULATIONS TO CHARLIE ANDERSON
What a great season Charlie is having. Congrats on your selections in the CA X1 & PM’s X1.
Cricket Australia has announced a 12-player squad for the four-day match against the England Lions at Lilac Hill, Perth, from 21-24 November.
Eight of the 12 players are aged 24 or younger, showcasing Australia’s next generation. The match also marks the representative return of Jhye Richardson, whose 36 international appearances will provide valuable experience alongside some emerging talent of Australian cricket.
An additional player may be added to the squad from the Australian Test camp following confirmation of the XI for the first NRMA Insurance Men’s Ashes Test.
CA XI Squad:
Mackenzie Harvey (SA/West Torrens CC) (c)
Aidan O’Connor (TAS/GN Raiders CC)
Cameron McClure (VIC/Prahran CC)
Charlie Anderson (NSW/Northern District CC)
Jack Sinfield (QLD/Redlands CC)
Jake Fraser-McGurk (SA/ West Torrens CC)
Jake Scott (NSW/Campbelltown Camden CC)
Jhye Richardson (WA/Fremantle CC)
Liam Blackford (VIC/Geelong CC)
Nivethan Radhakrishnan (TAS/Kingborough CC)
Teague Wyllie (WA/ Rockingham-Mandurah CC)
Xavier Crone (VIC/Carlton CC)
Live scores for the four-day match will be available on cricket.com.au and the Cricket Australia Live app.
Fixture: CA XI vs England Lions, Lilac Hill, Perth. 21–24 November
SQUAD: Peter Hanscomb (c), Charlie Anderson, Joel Curtis, Benji Floros, Campbell kelloway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Oliver Peake, Peter Siddle, Sam Skelly, Campbell Thompson, Doug Warren, Hugh Weibgen.
The Prime Minister's XI will play England in a novel two-day pink-ball fixture before the day-night Ashes Test, it was confirmed today. The match is the first time an England XI will play a multi-day match against the PM's XI in
what has until recently typically been a one-day affair.
The PM's XI broke with tradition in the 2022-23 summer when it played against a four-day game against the touring West Indies. That day-night match was the first PM's XI fixture to use the pink Kookaburra, which will again feature this summer.
The PM's XI match will be played at Manuka Oval on the weekend of November 29-30 at Canberra's Manuka Oval, just three days before the day-night second NRMA Insurance Ashes Test begins at the Gabba on December 4.
MORE CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NSW U/17’S ND TRIFECTA & to U/19 Will Byrom
Round vs Easts
Olivia Mitchell delivered a match-winning performance in the Brewer Shield win over Campbelltown-Camden. She ripped through the Ghosts’ lineup to take 5/31 from 8.2 overs — four bowled and one LBW — in a superb display of
disciplined fast bowling. Olivia then backed it up with a composed 46 in the chase, guiding ND to a comfortable victory chasing 125. A top-shelf all-round performance from Olivia as she continues to show why she’s one of the key players in the Rangers’ lineup.
CENTURIONS as at 16th Nov 2025
MIRABEL CHARITY LUNCH
VALE – BEN AUSTIN
VALE – Graham Reed
LADDERS
Club Championship
NEXT ROUND … No.7: NDCC vs MANLY (1 plays 2 in CC)
1st Grade: Sat 22nd & Sun 23rd Nov at Manly Oval
2nd-5th Grade play 1 dayers on Sat 22nd
AUSTIE HUGHES BIRTHDAY TOAST … 100!
Many of the ND Alumni remember that it was Austen Hughes’ birthday on 21st October 1925. That means that Austy would have turned 100 last month. To salute this event, a small gathering met at the Blue Gum Hotel to raise a glass or two and recall some “Austy moments”.
Below is:
1. A brief summary of Austy’s Life and contribution (compiled by Jim Barrett).
2. Drifter’s Words: Twenty three years ago (2002) when Austy retired as President, an “Austy Debate” was organised at Oatlands House where 230 people attended to enjoy “the roast”. The debate was titled: “Should Austen Hughes be allowed to retire from cricket!” I had the pleasure of speaking on behalf of the Australian Old Collegians. The MC was none other than our Centenary Dinner celebrity … Chris Elder!
1. Austie was born in Ballina on the north coast of New South Wales, on 21 October 1925. That was the same year as Northern District cricket Club entered the Sydney Grade Cricket competition. His dad was a builder and many of his dad’s landmark buildings still are prominent in River Street, the main street.
In his youth Austen Hughes was a talented cricketer and rugby league player who represented his district in both games. Austie was responsible for the organisation of cricket in the Ballina district after the Second World War.
His service to the game of cricket started at an early age and he would arrive at the ground in the early hours on match day and prepare the pitch with a hand roller.
He served as Secretary of the Casino District Cricket Association (CDCA) in 1952/53 and as its Treasurer from 1953/54 to 1955/56. Austen Hughes was also a leading player and when we last checked he held the CDCA 2nd wicket partnership for A Grade of 220 (1952/53).
But as an industrial arts teacher with the NSW Department of Education, young Austen Hughes had come to the conclusion that his career could not advance without further education, and he moved with his family to Sydney to study at the University of NSW. This also marked the beginning of his association with Northern District Cricket Club (NDCC) that has extended from that first season in 1957/58.
Austie was at this stage 32 and a wicketkeeper batsman, but his best cricket playing days were behind him. His first season with the Club was in the City & Suburban team. Lectures and study prevented attendance at practice, so C&S was a good compromise. It should be noted that NDCC led the C&S competition in 1957/58, its first success in that competition.
In the following seasons Austie played mainly third grade, captaining the third eleven from 1960/64.
But Austen Hughes’ priceless contribution to our Club, Sydney and NSW cricket was as an administrator. And Austie was well-schooled as a cricket administrator. When Austie was elected Hon Secretary in 1959. Sid Storey was President and Tim Caldwell was Vice President.
Sid Storey had been Hornsby Shire President and our local member and NDCC President and Secretary for a combined 40 years. Tim Caldwell our then Vice-President, was the Assistant General Manager of the ANZ Bank and would later become Chairman of the Australian Cricket Board succeeding Sir Donald Bradman.
Austie knew at that stage that he was in for a long innings.
Austie was secretary of NDCC until 1965. He was the club’s delegate to the NSW Cricket Assocn (NSWCA) from 1959 to 1966, again from 1967 to 1971 & again from 1982 to 1986. He was elected Vice-President of the Club in 1969 until 1971 when he was first elected President of NDCC - a position he has held for the next 31 seasons until his retirement in 2002.
Austie’s ability as an administrator was recognised by the NSW Cricket Association when he was appointed manager of the Sheffield Shield team on its southern tour in 1961, a team captained by Richie Benaud. He later also managed NSW teams captained by Bob Simpson and Brian Taber.
Austen Hughes was elected as a Life Member of the Northern District Cricket Club in 1983 and recognised with Life Membership of the NSW Cricket Association in 1984.
Austie was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in July 2002 for his 42 years as player and administrator with Northern District Cricket Club and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in June 2002 for service to cricket in particular as President of the Northern District Cricket Club.
Serving on the Committee with Austie was always a pleasure. Austie always spent time on the things that were important and never felt constrained by an agenda. He always took all views into consideration before determining an issue – and his decisions were never challenged as they were rarely wrong.
Mind you, when it came to a vote, he could say the following words in under 1 second … “All those in favour say aye, against, carried!”
When he retired as President, Austie was elected as a Patron of the Club and continued to be our mentor and Chief Counsellor.
During his tenure at Northern District, Austie witnessed the development of many of the Club’s most talented cricketers and their elevation to first class ranks.
The standing that the Club continues to hold in Sydney cricket and its contribution to NSW and Australian cricket both on and off the field, owes much to Austie’s leadership, his integrity and to the values that he has developed within the Club and those chosen to represent it.
Austie was a technology free zone. No smart phone, no PC, no iPad, no Facebook, no Twitter, no Team Apps, Whats App or Instagram. Austie was not particularly worried about the world of technology that loomed outside his door. His preferred communication mediums were via the phone or Australia Post.
Some years ago, Drifter managed to embed a watermark of Austie’s photo into the Blackmail – the Club newsletter – and this appears on every page of every edition and will continue to do so, to ensure that he was never forgotten even by the younger brigade who will never have the opportunity to enjoy his company.
Our Club Room, the Austen Hughes Clubroom, will continue to recognise his contribution to ND’s as will the Austen Hughes Encouragement Award instigated at the time of his retirement.
As Austie’s health waned his visits to Waitara were less frequent but when Jeanne did manage to get him out of the house it was like a Royal Visit, everyone was so glad to see him. But eventually with failing health his visits sadly came to an end.
It was the habit, since he could no longer make it to Waitara that one of us to ring him during the progress of the day and at day’s end to report the scores and performances so that he didn’t have to wait until the Sunday paper to get all the scores.
Austie had an abiding interest in the Club and was always asking about the newer crop, young Harriott, young Whealing or young Green. He wanted to know about Nelso and MJ and Freddy and how the Green Shield and the lower grades were going.
He enjoyed the Blackmail and had a neat pile of past editions on the coffee table next to his favourite chair.
Some of those present were young boys who got to know Austie when they played Green Shield, then as young men playing Grade for ND’s then as family men and perhaps some now as grandparents; and some who toured with Austie on those AOC world tours.
We all have our special memories and favourite Austie moments – of premierships won, special celebrations, a day at the Sydney Test and sunny days at Waitara. Austie’s great legacy is the values and principles that he instilled in the young people that came under his influence either as a high school principal or our Club President.
We will remember him for his good humour and great wit, his great love of people and his passion for the game of cricket. So happy 100th Austie. Here’s to the Ger.
Drifter’s Words for the Austen Hughes “Tribute “Debate”
Oatlands House, 11th October 2002
Thanks Chris. Good evening Austie and good evening to all of Austie’s good friends here tonight . And good evening to all of Austie’s bad friends here tonight (I don’t want to mention any names but have a close look at tables 17 & 18 and I think you’ll see what I mean!) … and good evening to all those people who have never heard of Austen Hughes in their entire life. That will cover most of the staff here and also Ross Longley’s wife.
My name is Drifter and I’ll be saying just a few words on behalf of the AOC cricketers about the great man himself, AJ Hughes or as some prefer to call him … The Ger!
Well I see my name wasn’t up on the screen earlier on for speaking for the affirmative or for the negative in this discussion, so I guess that gives me some sort of licence to go either way! This works out all right for me, but not too well for Austie … because sadly The AOC knows that there is another side to this man … and it’s a very very ugly side.
So in line with this theme tonight about whether Austie should be allowed to retire from cricket, I want to make it perfectly clear, that having dabbled in the history of AOC for some time and having received feedback from all parts of the world, I can possibly now speak on behalf of most cricketing nations, in emphasising that this man should not only be allowed to retire from cricket ….. But that he should have been thrown out years ago! Apparently he’s been nothing but a menace around the globe for many, many years.
So there’s a little bit of early abuse for you Austy … and there’ll be plenty more of that shortly. But first of all, I’d like to clear up the myth concerning that nickname … The Ger … because I believe that it stemmed from his days with the AOC. I think it’s because he led somany overseas tours as Manager… That the word Manager was just shortened to … Ger. Now that’s pretty clever stuff. You’ll find that with cricketers. They’re very handy when it comes to nicknames .. very creative! You don’t have to look far into the room to find that out … Do you Tubby! (now he’s on TV we can call him Tele Tubby) .. Evil Dick…, Esto, Sleepy …stumper, bumper, humper? We could go right round the room….I’m sure everyone has got one. But there’s no time for that.
Anyway, rumour has it that “Ger” might not have derived from the word Manager at all! It is more likely to derived from the word “Damager! …. And that’s because he caused so much of it around the world on all these tours. You realise now that he has the initials OAM after his name, Ger now becomes. …Geroam! So get used to that Austy… Geroam Hughes from now on! Nice ring to it!
Many of us here know that Austie has had a long and distinguished record of involvement in AOC Cricket and hence, with the organisation and management of many cricket tours right around the world. He was President of the AOC from 1990- 94.
His resume of tours stretch over 3 decades. He went on his first World Tour in 1977, and must have got a real taste for it … because he couldn’t get off them after that!
He hopped back on another world tour in 1980, one in 1984, and again in 1988. That’s probably why he’s just a little bit giddy these days. There was New Zealand tour in 1991 and UK and Zimbabwe in 1992. Countries visited included Argentina, West Indies, Canada, USA, Scotland, Ireland, England, Africa, India, Singapore, Hong Kong ... and forget the rest!
So there’s no doubt about it that Austie is extremely well known in all these foreign lands … But unfortunately it’s for all the wrong reasons. People speak about him with trepidation. As you travel around you get to understand this very quickly. On the last World Tour in 2000 we pulled into Buenos Aires airport and we were met there by a very nervous head of cricket. This man was speaking absolute jibberish. I thought he was some sort of idiot. He managed to get the words out (he was shaking as well which didn’t help his cause), “Austie’s not here is he?”... No, he’s not here this time we said. Well the poor bloke just relaxed immediately. He stopped quivering and started talking like a normal human being again…. It was amazing stuff … Mind you he was still a bit of an idiot. But that’s the sort of effect Austie can have on a man.
Travelled on up to Barbados …Where we were welcomed by none other than the very famous .. Wes Hall. Among Wes’s first words were, “Austen Hughes isn’t here is he? (except it was about 8 octaves lower) …I was thinking, something’s up here, something is horribly wrong … As you know Wes is a man of colour! But just the sound of those 2 words… “Austen Hughes”, actually made the great man turn pale! He looked a bit like Michael Jackson there for a minute. Actually, I think he really wanted to know so he could put on a few extra staff at the Cockspur Rum factory – just to handle Austie’s capacity for that particular liquid.
Anyway, the same thing happened right the way through the UK. Everyone knows him! Everyone asks after him!.….. I’m sure that if we’d played in Italy the Pope would have comeout on his deck and said, “Austie’s not here is he?” …. But we didn’t and I don’t do Pope accents … so ..
The one familiar characteristic is that there is always that scared look in their eyes when they ask. Now I don’t know all the atrocities that this man performed overseas (I do know some!), but it sure has put the fear of God into them. From all reports most of them happened when close to a bar .. and I believe large quantities of alcohol and nicotine were involved.
Austie was manager on all these worldly tours. He was the leader of many fine, young, healthy Australian cricketers who were venturing overseas for the very first time… Austie had them under his wing! In his own words …They were his boysh. Some of these tourists are here tonight…. The rest of them are in rehabilitation centres around Australia suffering from various addictions and hoping that some sort of therapy will see them back in society at some stage… Which reminds me…. Is John Benaud here tonight!
Anyway, the devastation caused by this man around the world will never be fully recorded, but enough has been uncovered to indicate that he makes most modern day terrorists look like Fred Nile. In fact, I believe that India and Pakistan are still fighting over something Austie said when he was at a bar in Kashmir. So it is quite conceivable that this man could be the cause of a nuclear war.
So … all of us here tonight, for the sake of international relations and for the sake of world peace, have a responsibility … and that is to ensure that “Geroam” Hughes is removed from all forms of cricket …. And removed immediately.
Austy, now that that side of your character has been exposed (let’s call that “the dark side”), I’d like to say something on the brighter side… And that is that hundreds of AOC cricketers would like to thank you for leading them around the world, and for teaching them some of the finer points about the game of cricket, but more importantly, for teaching them something from the AJ Hughes’ “meaning of life” book. I’m sure we have all learned something from that over the years!
Austie …. You are an absolute legend …. Thank you for everything that you have given to the AOC over many years. And on that note there is only one thing left to say,
…. Go the Tiger!
Mr White of Ryegate … Batman
In IPL 2025, the size of the bats were measured strictly and if anyone's bat fails to pass the test, they were requested to change their willow. Sunil Narine was asked to change his bat. But have you ever wondered how they came up with something called this is the size of the bat? Ok, if you want to know you have to travel to 18th century.
In 1771, cricket was calm, polite, and delightfully British - until one man brought chaos. During a match between Hambledon and Chertsey, a player named Mr. White of Ryegate walked out to bat carrying what can only be described as a section of his garden shed. His bat was so wide it practically covered the entire wicket. Every ball hit that bat with a dull thunk, like bowling at a door.
Hambledon’s players were horrified. Bowlers Richard Nyren and John Small stood there wondering if White had misunderstood the concept of cricket or was trying to build a boat. The crowd didn’t know whether to laugh or call for the police. White, meanwhile, looked perfectly innocent, technically there was no rule against playing with half a tree, so he just shrugged and carried on.
After this nonsense, Hambledon decided enough was enough. On September 25, 1771, they wrote a formal petition to stop anyone from bringing oversized lumber onto the pitch again. Three years later, they decreed, “The bat must not exceed 4¼ inches in the widest part.” Hambledon even built an iron frame to measure bats, if yours didn’t fit, you were out. It was like airport security for cricketers. The law stuck, and it’s still in place today - maximum width 4.25 inches, maximum length 38 inches, and no chance for anyone to swing a door again. This is how the sizes of the bats were officially declared.
So the next time you see elegant current cricket bats, remember it exists because one man in 1771 thought, “If there’s no rule against it, why not?”. Somewhere up there, Mr. White is smiling proudly, holding his beloved plank, whispering, “I wasn’t cheating. I was just… efficient!”
ATTEMPTED HUMOUR:
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