lisburn international cricketers John Harris The first Lisburn player ever to be capped. Harris made his international debut against the M.C.C. in 1924. A useful all-rounder, he shared the new ball at Lisburn with Sam Hutchinson and during the 1920's he was one of Lisburn's most prolific run score?s. Harris moved on to play for N.I.C.C. in 1929 and so missed out on the great Cup Final triumph that season. Like others to follow, Harris was a fine all-round sportsman, who besides his ability as a cricketer, was also a Junior Soccer international. Irish Appearances 7 (1924 - 1929) Total Runs 19 Average 3.16 Total Wickets 11 Average 29.72 Catches 5 Nelson Russell Just one Irish cap to his name, that was against the M.C.C. in 1928. A consistent opening batsman whose appearances for Lisburn became limited when he joined the Army (he subsequently became a Brigadier). Russell's best season for Lisburn came in 1923 when he scored two centuries against Downpatrick and one against Waringstown. He continued to make the odd appearance for Lisburn when home on leave from India. Russell played throughout 1928 when Lisburn narrowly missed winning the league. He had to return to India the following season, so like Harris he missed out on the 1929 Cup Final. Brigadier Russell continued to plav intermittently during the 1930's. His father was President of the club until his death in 1937. Nelson Russell died in 1971. Irish Appearances 1 (1928) Total Runs 5 Average Catches 1 Tommy Martin His early death at 26 robbed Lisburn of an outstanding all-round athlete. Tommy made his First XI debut in 1927 as a 16-year old and immediately established himself as an outstanding prospect. A big, strapping fellow, who was over six feet tall, Tommy was able to move the ball in the air and off the pitch, using his height to great effect. Martin was one of the 'stars' of the 1929 Cup winning side, taking 9 wickets and then hitting the winning runs in the final against North Down. Apart from his lively bowling, Tommy was a more than useful performer with the bat. After playing soccer for Queen's Scholars and Queen's University, he joined Glenavon as an amateur where he played centre-half. He was the elder brother of Herbie Martin, who was to win his first Irish cap 12 years after Tommy's death. Irish Appearances 3 (1930 - 1934) Total Runs 38 Average 9.5 Total Wickets 10 Average 21.20 Catches 2 Fred Blaney Known throughout the club as 'Snooker', Fred Blaney played just once for Ireland, that ~ against Scotland in 1939. The Second World War him of a number of caps. Fred signed up at the 'reak of the war and became a Lieutenant in the army. He played a lot of services cricket and along with James ~cDonald and Stuart Pollock helped the Blackpool ~m during the 1940 Ribblesdale League season. 'Snooker' went in first wicket down for Lisburn and was a great man to have in a crisis situation. His temperament was excellent and you didn't get Fred's wicket easily. He was an occasional bowler of surprising pace, and he often filled in behind the stumps when needed, modelling himself on George Crothers. He was particulary strong on the off-side but he had all the shots. A good team man and one of the club's 'Characters'. He is still to be seen around Wallace Park on match days. Fred's father Billy was before him another Lisburn stalwart. Fred picked up one Cup winners' medal in 1946, scoring 55 in the first innings against N.I.C.C. Irish Appearances 1 (1939) Total Runs 14 Average 7 Sammy Edgar Stylish opening batsman who scored a century for Ireland on his debut against M.C.C. at Sion Mills. His early death, like Tommy Martin's, was a tragic loss to Lisburn and Irish cricket. Illness dogged him for much of his short life. Sammy Edgar was regarded as one of the most promising players of his decade (the 1930's). He possessed a fine defence and was extremely strong on the offside. He graduated from that famous cricket nursery - 'Awty's Boys' - and went on to play a major role in the 1933 league winning side, scoring over 400 runs in just eleven matches. His rise in the cricket world was meteoric but ill health robbed him of his one great ambition, to play for Ireland at Lords, the home of cricket. His father Bobby put up a trophy for the club's centenary season. It went on to 5 become a popular competition among local teams. Irish Appearances 2 (1934) Total Runs 135 Average 33.75 Catches 1 George Crothers First played Senior cricket as a 15-year-old in 1925. A natural all-round sportsman G.W. went on to captain Ireland at cricket, he also kept goal for Linfield and appeared at centre forward for the South Antrim hockey team. A very graceful cricketer, who was always immaculately turned out, Crothers was one of Ireland's best ever wicket-keepers. He was rated good enough by those in the know to have played county cricket. He did in fact have a trial with Worcestershire. Crothers used to stand up to all bowlers and some of his stumpings had to be seen to be believed. In fact some batsmen weren't even aware why they had been given out, so quick was he. A safe pair of hands and wonderful anticipation were his trademark. His talents as a wicket-keeper apart, he was good enough to get into the Irish side on his batting ability alone. Ill health forced him to give up the game in 1955 but he continued to serve the club as an able administrator. He was Hon. Secretary for many years and a leading light in the Lisburn Supporters' Club. George Crothers played in three Cup-winning teams and had four spells as first team captain. Irish Appearances 19 (1931 - 1948) Total Runs 265 Average 10.19 Catches 12 Stumpings 10 Captain of Ireland on 1 occasion. Jack Bowden Another of the club's multi-talented sportsmen, Jack Bowden was a 'double' international, winning 12 caps for Ireland at hockey. First appearing in the First XI as a 16-year-old, Jack Bowden was to prove himself a man for the 'big occasion'. He appeared in 8 Cup-winning teams between 1942 and 1962, captaining the team that beat Waringstown by just one run in 1942. His shrewd captaincy and bowling were largely responsible for the victory. He also led Lisburn to that hat-trick of league wins (1950 - 1952). His style of batting wasn't to be found in any coaching manual but it nonetheless proved most effective and he hit the ball murderously hard. A specialist cover point, he was extremely quick in the field. The War years robbed him of quite a few Irish caps and he didn't make his international debut until 1946. By this stage he was taking a hatful of wickets for Lisburn with his slow left arm bowling. At club level his bowling feats are second to none. He took 9 wickets in an innings on several occasions, but Jack Bowden is probably best remembered for his heroic 146 Not Out in the fourth innings of the 1951 Final against N.I.C.C. Irish Appearances 18 (1946 - 1956) Total Runs 190 Average 8.63 Total Wickets 41 Average 22.36 Catches 7 Herbie Martin Younger brother of the legendary Tommy. In his early years at the club Herbie enjoyed the reputation of being a hard hitting middle-order batsman. He joined Lisburn in 1938, the same year his great friend Tom McCloy joined. Herbie Martin was an excellent team player who knew how to 'pace' an innings~ He also possessed one of the safest pair of hands in the game, and it was a rare sight to see him drop a catch. Herbie went to Canada for a couple of years in the fifties, and came back a different player~ Thereafter he was known as a bit of a grafter'. He stayed at Lisburn until 1972 when he emigrated to Australia~ Herbie is now living in Brisbane where he teaches. Martin was a more than useful hockey player. He was the Ulster schools' goal-keeper and he played Rugby for Instonians and Ulster, gaining one Irish trial as a back-row forward. His international cricket career spanned nearly 20 years and Lisburn look forward to welcoming Herbie back for a brief spell during 1986. Irish Appearances 30 (1949 - 1968) Total Runs 836 Average 14.92 Catches 13 Tom McCloy One of three brothers who ~l played Senior cricket for Lisburn. Tom's playing career in the First XI spanned four decades 1943 - 1977. Along with Dermott Monteith, he did more than anyone else to keep Lisburn in Senior cricket during the early 1970's. A wonderfully consistent opening batsman, he formed a steady opening partnership with first Simpson Robinson and then his brother Billy. Tom's most productive season came in 1959 when he became one of very few local players to pass 1,000 runs during a season. He played in 13 Cup Finals for Lisb urn. Fittingly his last match for Lisburn came in a Cup Final in 1977 against Downpatrick. McCloy was also a useful soccer player, who appeared for three Irish league clubs, Linfield, Distillery and Ards. Like many of the former 'Greats' at Wallace Park, Tom is still involved in the administrative affairs of the club, besides which he is an Ulster Country and former Irish selector. Irish Appearances 30 (1951 - 1965) Total Runs 836 Average 14.92 Catches 13 Jackie Simpson Just the one Irish cap and that came against Scotland in 1954. Unfortunately for Jackie it was played on a batsman's paradise and he didn't take any wickets. A right arm fast bowler and a handy down the order hitter, Jackie was a great trier and one of cricket's true 'Gentlemen'. He was certainly one of the most popular captains ever. Never demonstrative, he just got on with things in his own quiet, unassuming way. He never lost a toss in a Cupo match as skipper. Jackie was captain of the side that beat Woodvale in the 1957 final, with a team regarded by many as the finest Lisburn has ever produced. The team looked to be heading for a repeat victory in 1958 when rain intervened and the trophy was shared with Sion Mills. A former Chairman of the club, Jackie suffered a serious illness during 1985 which forced him to resign from the post~ We hope that 1986 will see him restored to full health and that he will be a regular visitor to Wallace Park. In addition to his prowess as a cricketer, Jackie played Junior soccer for Lambeg and Hilden. Irish Appearances 1 (1954) Total Runs 26 Average 26 Total Wickets 0-50 Raymond Hunter Yet another in the list of sporting all-rounders, Hunter was a double international, winning 12 caps on the wing for the Irish Rugby team and also touring South Africa with the Lions in 1962~ In addition, Raymond was a Schoolboy international at both Soccer and Hockey. He joined Lisburn from Dunmurry as a 17-year-old in 1955 and towards the end of that season established himself on the First XI. An immensely strong man, he was a naturally attacking batsman who was particularly adept at punishing the loose delivery. A fine quick bowler, he formed an effective opening attack with Jackie Simpson. If he did happen to miss out with bat or ball, Raymond Hunter always had his fielding to fall back on. He was one of the best cover points Lisburn ever had. Although he appeared in the 1955 Cup Final, he is best remembered for the 133 he made against Woodvale two years later. Raymond moved on to Lurgan at the end of the 1969 season, where he continued to serve them well for many years. His brother Laurence was a valuable member of the Lisburn league winning side in 1969. Irish Appearances 28 (1957 - 1967) Total Runs 800 Average 21.05 Total Wickets 33 Average 29.96 Catches 22 Captain of Ireland on 3 occasions. Dermott Monteith Probably the most famous of all Lisburn cricketers and without doubt one of the finest all-rounders ever to have played for Ireland. He captained Ireland on 38 occasions, winning 11 times (both records) and also passed Jimmy Boucher's record number of wickets in 1984. Dermott first appeared for Lisburn back in 1958 and apart from one season at Queen's, and a couple of spells with Middlesex in the 1980's, was a mainstay of the Lisburn side from then on. His slow left-arm bowling was good enough to come to the attention of the county champions Middlesex. He spent two seasons there, and who knows what he might have achieved, had he gone 15 years earlier. Among his other fine bowling achievements were taking 100 wickets in a season twice (1971 and 1973). His maiden century for Lisburn came in 1971 and he produced some remarkable batting feats for Ireland throughout the seventies. More importantly perhaps, Dermott was a loyal servant of Lisburn's. He produced the goods for the club whenever they were most needed. Winning games singlehandedly became a matter of course and he, more than anyone, kept Lisburn in Senior cricket during the difficult 1970's. He was also an enthusiastic full-back who played for the Bangor Rugby Club. Victim of a terrible hit and run accident in early 1985. Irish Appearances 76 (1965) Total Runs 1712 Average 20.62 Total Wickets 326 Average 17.37 Catches 33 Captain of Ireland on 37 occasions (11 Times Victorious) Jimmy Kirkwood Grand-son of Jim Kerr, Jimmy is the latest addition to the ranks of Lisburn internationals. He first played senior cricket as a 16-year-old. A vastly talented opening batsman, he benefitted greatly from John Solanky's coaching. He had the time that all good players possess, and when on form, could make batting look ridiculously easy. His first innings knock in the 1985 Cup Final greatly contributed to Lisburn's win, and he was subsequently named 'Man of the Match'. A natural games player Jimmy is the third of Lisburn's 'Double Internationals'. He is one of the stars of the Irish Hockey team and won a gold medal for Great Britain at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. In addition to his batting, Jimmy doubled up as an athletic wicket-keeper. One of two brothers to play cricket for Lisburn, it appears that Jimmy's future appearances may be limited because of his hockey commitments. Cricket's loss is certainly hockey's gain! Irish Appearances 3 (1983) Total Runs 27 Average 8.6 Catches 1 First Cap 1983 v Gloucestershire Last Cap 1983 v MCC Highest Score 27 v Gloucestershire, 1983 Uel Graham Uel is yet another of the many All Rounders in the Irish team, this time a medium paced bowler as well as a batsman. He is a very determined player who gets the last out of every bit of his talent. He is one of those where the total is greater than the sum of the parts. Right Hand Bat & Right Medium Bowler Born 9 January 1967, Lisburn First Cap 1992 v Middlesex Last Cap 1997 v Singapore Irish Appearances 36 (1992-1997) Total Runs 544 Average 19.42 Total Wickets 22 Average 38.09 Catches 11 Highest Score 55 v MCC, 1994 Best Bowling 4-49 v Wales, 1994 ICC Trophy, Kenya 1994 ICC Trophy, Malaysia 1997 Neil Doak Neil goes to his second I.C.C. Tournament, having been called out as a replacement to Kenya when Dekker Curry had to return home following the tragic death of his father. Neil only played one match in Kenya but would be expected to make more of a contribution this time and perhaps be one of the Ireland starting XI. Neil is another of the Ireland All Rounder brigade with Slow Bowling being his second string. His opening wickets for Ireland came against the West Indies in 1995, with no less than Brian Lara being his second Irish victim - and a caught and bowled at that, a method of dismissal Neil has achieved on more than one occasion. With his batting Neil has achieved a Benson and Hedges Cup Gold Award with his 84* against Surrey in Eglinton this year. Neil's achievements are not restricted to the cricket pitch. He is also a fine rugby scrum half and has been a replacement on the bench for the Irish Rugby XV. He may perhaps become Irish Cricket's next double international, though that becomes more and more difficult in these days of specialisation and professionalism. Right Hand Bat & Off Break Bowler Born: 21 June 1972, Lisburn First Cap: 1993 v Scotland Last Cap: 2000 v Zimbabwe Irish Appearances 32 (1993-2000) Total Runs 479 Average 26.61 Total Wickets 31 Average 21.83 Catches 15 Highest Score 84* v Surrey, Eglinton, 1996 Best Bowling 4-9 v Gibraltar, 1996 ICC Trophy, Kenya 1994 ICC Trophy, Malaysia, 1997 Derek Heasley Right Hand Bat, Right Arm Medium Fast Born: 15 January 1972, Lisburn, Co. Antrim Caps 43 Debut 1996 HS: 73 v MCC (Malahide) 1996 BB: 4-66 v Sussex (Ormeau) 1996 Finally realising the potential which he showed in his debut against Surrey at Eglinton, `Deko' is now a consistent run scorer and dependable medium pacer. Ignored for much of the last ICC Trophy in 1997, he was brought in by then National Coach Mike Hendrick for the semi-final against Kenya and almost won the match with a brilliant 51off 48 balls with four sixes, before he unluckily played on. Even the Kenyans admitted that if he had stayed another over, Ireland would have reached the World Cup finals. Would not have been in the first choice 11 which travelled to the Johannesburg training camp in March but returned as a vital member of the side and can look forward to many more games in this year's tournament. Derek is one of 1996's debutantes. He very quickly showed that nerves are not something that trouble him! In his first match against Surrey, in the Benson & Hedges Cup, he found himself walking to the wicket with the score on 17 for 5. However, he rapidly added 45 for the 6th wicket with Neil Doak, of which his share was 36. In his third match against M.C.C. at Malahide he came to the wicket with the score a somewhat healthier 127 for 5 and scored 73 out of a partnership of 108 with Kyle McCallan, seeing Kyle to his 100. He suffered towards the latter part of the season with injury, primarily shin splints which cut his season short. However, back and fit again he should be a leading contributor to Ireland's I.C.C. campaign. List A Limited Overs M I NO RUNS HS Ave 100 50 CT ST Batting and Fielding 16 15 2 232 66* 17.84 0 1 6 0 0 LIST A LIMITED OVERS (1996 - 2002) M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St Batting & Fielding 16 15 2 232 66* 17.84 0 1 6 0 O R W Ave BBI 4w 5w SR Econ Bowling 103.2 563 20 28.15 4-66 1 0 31.0 5.44 ICC TROPHY M I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct St Batting & Fielding 9 6 0 132 51 22.00 94.96 0 1 4 0 O M R W Ave BBI 4w 5w SR Econ Bowling 56 2 268 10 26.80 5-25 0 1 33.6 4.78 Acknowledgements Lisburn Cricket Club would like to express its appreciation to all those individuals who contributed to this section of the website. and to the following who helped with research material. JACK McCOY (SEELB Ballynahinch) MIKE MALTSAID DEREK SCOTT DES CASHEL BRIAN MACKEY (Lisburn Museum) ABNER PEEL Our thanks also to our Sponsors and our Advertisers. We commend all of them to our readers.