The Aussies are coming ...
by Alan Rowley / John Jackson, 22nd January 2005

The highlight of the 2005 season will be the arrival of the Australian tourists in this Ashes year. Much talked about and long awaited, the Aussies will be adding spice to what promises to be an exciting and nail-biting season. We take a look at the touring side and preview their fixtures in our area.

The tourists in question are the club cricketers of Collaroy Plateau who celebrate their 50th anniversary year with a three week and thirteen fixture tour of the country. As well as watching their National side in action, they will be taking on the finest, and some of the not so fine, club cricketers in our area.

Spokesman John Jackson (Jacko) told 'the follow on': "Our tour is an eclectic one…taking a slice of English geography, cricket and 'culture'. We have assembled a touring party of 21, with players from all five of our current teams.

'God’s Country' - looking north from Edgecliff Ave, Collaroy Plateau.

When the gum forest on the sandstone plateau above Collaroy Beach in Sydney was developed for housing after World War II, it was inevitable that the families who moved there would form sporting groups. In the early 50’s a group of sporting people hacked a ground out of the very top of the plateau and created Collaroy Plateau Park…now known as Vic Huxley Oval. Consequently in the summer of  54-55 as Frank Tyson was skittling players like Richie Benaud to retain the Ashes, the Collaroy Plateau Cricket Club was born. 

Jacko said: "Where many a park club has been ephemeral, thanks to the generational efforts of people like the Huxley Family, this club has prospered for 50 years. Currently we have 5 senior teams and ten junior teams playing in the local Manly Warringah District Cricket Association. The watertower adjacent to Vic Huxley Oval has become our symbol. We are proud to have an original Plateau player, Frank Huxley on tour with us."

Vic Huxley Oval….water restrictions have browned off the ground.
Watertower and the Pacific Ocean in the background.

The tourists will be in England from July 2nd until July 22nd 2005 and will be playing four fixtures in our area.They will be making the short journey from Manchester to West Bridgford, where they are based for their Nottinghamshire / Derbyshire fixtures, on Saturday July 9th. They may well be taking in a game on their journey, so if a coach load of Aussies arrives at your club, don't be surprised!

They have a free day on the Sunday before travelling up to Edwinstowe Cricket Club on Monday (11th). There can be no finer place for the Aussies to get acquainted with Nottinghamshire cricket than Edwinstowe. Set in the heart of Sherwood Forest, with its Robin Hood associations, Edwinstowe is an idyllic place to play the game. Records suggests that cricket has been played in the village for over 150 years, dwarfing their visitors short history.

The following day, the tourists will sample the diversity of cricket in the area when they visit former mining town Clay Cross. The town's cricket club's history only goes back to 1972 when they played their cricket in the North Derbyshire Cricket League. They moved to their current location in Sharley Park the following year.

2005 is a year of transformation for Clay Cross Cricket Club with work on their second ground progressing nicely. The visit of the Aussies, combined with their first season in Division 2 of the County League, will make this season a memorable year for this progressive club.

On Wednesday 13th, Collaroy Plateau will sample the delights of Derbyshire Dales cricket with a visit to Baslow Cricket Club. The club plays in the Yorkshire and Derbyshire League Division 1 with a best placed position of fourth in 1997. The multi-purpose ground, which is owned by the Chatsworth Estate, has excellent facilities and is a relaxing place, despite being situated beside a busy road.

Highlight of their tour could well be the final game in this area when they face the might of 'the follow on' XI at Kimberley Institute Cricket Club on Thursday July 14th. This game has been talked about on this site for months and it promises to be a 'not to be missed' day.

For more details about 'the follow on' XI v Collaroy Plateau, join in the banter by clicking here.

The following day, the tourists leave our area, hopefully with sore heads and happy memories, to travel down to London for the remainder of the tour.

Jacko says: "We look forward to great cricket and great times in England and continuing the spirit of all touring Aussie teams….playing cricket 'the Australian way' with the competitive spirit that characterises the greatest sporting nation on the planet."

It's going to be a great Summer!