EDITION 36 APRIL 2013 www.auscricket.com.au

THIS ISSUE

ACA All*Star teams named

• Southern Stars win World Cup• Mental health: when to seek help

• Benefits of financial protection• AB Medal wrap

2 ACA ONSIDE APRIL 2012

Although the 2012-2013 season has drawn to a close, this year promises to be one of the biggest for Australian cricket in recent memory. After a very tough Test tour to India, the ICC Champions Trophy and back-to-back Ashes series await and these will provide a good gauge as to the progress of the Australian Test and ODI teams in the two-year period since the Argus Review into the performance of the Australian teams.

Paul Marsh

The sensational performance by the Southern Stars in the ICC Women’s World Cup further underlined the continued strength of our girls at the elite level and it was most encouraging to see the blend of contributions made by both young and experienced players. To follow-up their T20 World Cup win with another trophy was fantastic.

Fittingly, at the fall of the final wicket the ball finished in the hands of Australian and NSW veteran Lisa Sthalekar, who announced her retirement after the match. Lisa has been an outstanding champion of our sport, both on and off the field. As the first ever female member of the ACA’s Executive, she has made (and hopefully will continue to make) a strong contribution on the various topics and issues we confront.

With the retirements of other all-time greats in Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey, there is no doubt the challenge for the men’s team will be immense, however, there are huge opportunities for new players to make their marks on the international scene. Australian cricket needs new champions and I hope the next 12 months or so will see the emergence of a group of players that will take us back to the top of world cricket.

In my time at the ACA it is difficult to think of two more admired players by their peers than Ricky and Mike. Their passion and commitment to the game are extraordinary and they will leave huge voids for the foreseeable future. On behalf of all at the ACA I congratulate them both on their brilliant international careers.

In late 2012 we launched the ACA Players Club. This initiative has been designed to bring our country’s professional cricketers closer to our amateur cricketers at a time when circumstances are increasingly separating them. We are doing this by way of the provision of exclusive content from our past and current players and also providing the amateur players with a platform to voice their thoughts on our great game.

A high percentage of our members still maintain an active involvement in club cricket and I encourage all members to spread the word about the ACA Players Club and help us grow this important initiative.

The ACA has some important priorities for 2013 that we are investing a significant amount of time into.

We have completed a new Strategic Plan for the period 2013-15.

One of the outcomes of last year’s MOU negotiations was the securing of a 26% share of CA’s profits from the 2015 World Cup. It has been agreed that we will use this money to develop a program for past players that encompasses service provision in the areas of health and wellbeing, education and training, career transition as well as providing past players with paid game development opportunities.

A committee comprising representatives from the ACA, CA and two State Associations has been formed and we have commenced discussions on how this money will be specifically allocated.

Our intention is to have this program finalised in readiness for the 2013-14 season. This is subject to the approval of the CA and ACA Boards.

We will keep members informed as details are finalised.

We have conducted various research projects over the past 12 months. One of the most important has been a project looking at the lives of our female players.

The research shows there is a significant imbalance between the time commitments expected of our female cricketers when compared to the remuneration they receive. This is something we believe needs to be addressed and will be one of our priorities for the year ahead.

There has been much discussion about this season’s Big Bash League with concerns about the impact of its scheduling on Test cricket as well as the view that the second season hasn’t been as successful as the first.

In my view this season started too early and at just over six weeks in duration it is too long. I think many of the concerns could be addressed by starting the event later and reducing its duration by scheduling more double headers.

It is, however a critical event for the future of Australian cricket and it’s important that the ACA and our members embrace and support it.

As I advised members just prior to Christmas, our Manager Cricket Operations and Membership Peter Roach resigned to take up a role as the CEO of the Northern Districts Cricket Association in New Zealand.

Peter was with the ACA for just over four years and was instrumental in growing our membership numbers, delivering new benefits for members, was part of the negotiation team for the past three MOUs and managed various complex issues for our members among other achievements.

I’m sure all members will join with me in thanking Peter for his contribution to the ACA and wish him good luck in his new role. Thankfully we have secured former Australian and South Australian gloveman Graham Manou to take over this important role, who has already made a very positive impact.

Once again was great to see so many members at our Test match functions around the country.

PAUL MARSH

Chief Executive

ACA Welcome

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With five wins from their first five matches, it was smooth sailing for much of the tournament. The Australians were convincing winners against Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, but had their work cut out for them with a thrilling two-run win over England in Mumbai.

Having already booking their place in the final, the Southern Stars’ undefeated run came to and end when they fell eight runs short of a target set by the West Indies in their final Super Six fixture, meaning the same two sides would meet four days later in the final.

This time around the Southern Stars were flawless, overcoming their only hiccup of the tournament to run out comprehensive 114-run winners. Player of the match Jess Cameron starred with the bat, blasting ten boundaries on her way to 75.

It was a fitting end to what was to be Lisa Sthalekar’s final international appearance, made all the sweeter when the 33-year-old held the catch that dismissed Tremayne Smartt, handing the Stars the ICC Women’s World Cup trophy for a sixth time.

Rachael Haynes ended her campaign with 273 runs at 45.50, the most of any of the Australian batters, while Megan Schutt topped the tournament wicket-takers tally with 15 wickets at 16.53.

Haynes, Schutt, Jodie Fields and Holly Ferling were all named in the ICC Women’s World Cup Team of the Tournament.

Having claimed the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka last year the Southern Stars now hold World Cups in both the 20-over and 50-over formats.

Holly Ferling, Megan Schutt & Lisa Sthalekar

The Southern Stars followed on from their World Twenty20 triumph in Sri Lanka by claiming the ICC Women’s World Cup for a sixth time in India.

Southern Stars crowned World Champions

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Allan Border & Michael Clarke

Australian Test and One-Day captain Michael Clarke took home his fourth Allan Border Medal, after blitzing the field following a record-breaking season.

Allan Border Medal

In 11 Tests the 31-year-old had a stellar period with the bat, piling on 1595 runs at an average of 106.33, so it was no surprise that Clarke also took out the Test Player of the Year award.

Clarke finished the count on 198 votes, leaving daylight between himself and the rest, as Shane Watson and the retiring Michael Hussey shared second place with 165 votes each.

Jess Cameron took out the Belinda Clark Award for the first time, polling 41 votes to narrowly edge out fellow VicSpirit teammate Meg Lanning (36 votes) in second.

The right-hander tallied 525 runs at 52.50, with an impressive strike-rate of 118.51 in the 15 matches she played during the voting period.

Clint McKay was crowned One-Day International Player of the Year after narrowly beating George Bailey and Dave Warner by two votes. The Victorian claimed 26 victims at 25.76, the most of any Australian ODI player during the voting period.

Watson overcame an injury-plagued season to take out the Twenty20 Player of the Year award. The allrounder was rewarded for an impressive World T20, where he amassed 249 runs at an average of 49.8, to compliment his 11 tournament wickets.

South Australian and Adelaide Strikers left-hander Phil Hughes was named Domestic Player of the Year with 33.8% of the players’ vote, edging out Tasmanian paceman Jackson Bird (29.1%) and former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting (17.6%).

The 24-year-old returned 1,108 domestic runs during the voting period, including a 158 in the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the MCG.

Aggressive Queensland and Brisbane Heat right-hander Joe Burns capped a terrific season to be named Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year.

The 23-year-old won the award convincingly, polling 41.9% of player votes to finish well ahead of emerging South Australian Kane Richardson (14.2%) and Patrick Cummins (10.8%).

Burns totalled 1,038 runs across all forms throughout the voting period, at an average of 35.9, including four centuries and two half-centuries.

Glenn McGrath and Charlie Turner's careers were celebrated with inductions into the Hall of Fame.

Matthew Wade & Julia Barry; George Bailey, James Faulkner, Moises Henriques, Aaron Finch & David Hussey, Peter Siddle & Anna Weatherlake

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Tasmanian/Hobart Hurricanes members of ACA All*Star teams

Allan Border & Michael Clarke

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The ACA All*Star Teams for the 2012-13 season were announced at the State Cricket Awards at Blundstone Arena ahead of the Sheffield Shield final between Tasmania and Queensland.

With just the Shield final remaining, the conclusion of the domestic season was again celebrated with the announcement of the ACA All*Star teams. In addition to teams being named for the Four-Day, One-Day and Big Bash League competitions,

for the first time teams were named for the WNCL and WT20.

Selection was determined by a vote of contracted Australian, State and Rookie players. Players could not vote for members of their own squad and eligibility was restricted to players who had played at least half the number of games in the relevant competition.

Veteran Ricky Ponting proved he still has plenty of good cricket left in him, and

was named captain of the ACA Four-Day Series All*Star Team of the Year.

Aaron Finch’s outstanding short-form season saw him named as skipper of the ACA All*Star Teams for both the One-Day Interstate and Big Bash League competitions.

Alex Blackwell capped a terrific WNCL campaign to be named as leader of both the ACA WNCL and WT20 All*Star Teams of the Year.

Ricky Ponting, Aaron Finch & Alex Blackwell

ACA Four-Day Series All*Star Team of the Year

1. Chris Rogers (VIC)

2. Phillip Hughes (SA)

3. Alex Doolan (TAS)

4. Ricky Ponting (TAS) C

5. Callum Ferguson (SA)

6. Moises Henriques (NSW)

7. Brad Haddin (NSW) VC

8. Ashton Agar (WA)

9. Luke Butterworth (TAS)

10. Chadd Sayers (SA)

11. Jackson Bird (TAS)

12. Mark Cosgrove (TAS)

ACA WNCL All*Star Team of the Year

1. Meg Lanning (VIC)

2. Nicole Bolton (WA)

3. Alex Blackwell (NSW) C

4. Jess Cameron (VIC)

5. Jodie Fields (QLD) VC

6. Lisa Sthalekar (NSW)

7. Lauren Ebsary (SA)

8. Erin Osborne (NSW)

9. Jude Coleman (QLD)

10. Jemma Barsby (QLD)

11. Holly Ferling (QLD)

12. Elise Villani (VIC)

ACA One-Day Interstate All*Star Team of the Year

1. Aaron Finch (VIC) C

2. Phillip Hughes (SA)

3. Callum Ferguson (SA)

4. David Hussey (VIC)

5. Steve Smith (NSW)

6. Brad Haddin (NSW)

7. James Faulkner (TAS)

8. Johan Botha (SA) VC

9. Nathan Coulter-Nile (WA)

10. John Hastings (VIC)

11. Kane Richardson (SA)

12. Gurinder Sandhu (NSW)

ACA WT20 All*Star Team of the Year

1. Meg Lanning (VIC)

2. Leah Poulton (NSW)

3. Alex Blackwell (NSW) C

4. Erin Burns (TAS)

5. Jodie Fields (QLD) VC

6. Lisa Sthalekar (NSW)

7. Lauren Ebsary (SA)

8. Sarah Coyte (NSW)

9. Briana Binch (VIC)

10. Sarah Aley (NSW)

11. Molly Strano (VIC)

12. Jess Cameron (VIC)

ACA Big Bash League All*Star Team of the Year

1. Shaun Marsh (PERTH SCORCHERS)

2. Aaron Finch (MELBOURNE RENEGADES) C

3. Brad Hodge (MELBOURNE STARS)

4. Ricky Ponting (HOBART HURRICANES)

5. Ben Rohrer (MELBOURNE RENEGADES)

6. Adam Voges (PERTH SCORCHERS) VC

7. Tim Paine (HOBART HURRICANES)

8. James Faulkner (MELBOURNE STARS)

9. Ben Laughlin (HOBART HURRICANES)

10. Lasith Malinga (MELBOURNE STARS)

11. Muttiah Muralitharan (MELBOURNE RENEGADES)

12. Dirk Nannes (SYDNEY THUNDER)

Other Awards

Bupa Sheffield Shield Player of the Year - Ricky Ponting (TAS)

RYOBI One-Day Cup Player of the Year - Aaron Finch (VIC)

KFC T20 BBL Player of the Year - Aaron Finch (MELBOURNE RENEGADES)

WNCL Player of the Year - Nicole Bolton (WA) & Meg Lanning (VIC)

WT20 Player of the Year - Jenny Wallace (WA)

Toyota Futures League Player of the Year - Nick Winter (ACT)

Lord’s Taverners Indigenous Cricketer of the Year - Nathan Price (NSW)

Cricket Australia Umpire Award - Bruce Oxenford

Benaud Men’s Spirit of Cricket Award - Tasmanian Tigers

Benaud Women’s Spirit of Cricket Award - Lend Lease Breakers

Paul, you spent a few days in the US back at the start of the season meeting with various player associations and sporting organisations and attending some sporting events. Who did you meet with and what games did you attend?I met with the three big player associations: the football, baseball and basketball player associations as well as the LA Lakers and LA Clippers basketball organisations. I also attended a Lakers game and a New York Giants football game.

What was the purpose of the trip?Having completed a five-year MOU our focus over the next few years needs to be different to what it has been in recent years. Our focus for the next few years needs to be on delivering new services and programs to our members and so a major reason for the trip was to gain a better understanding of what the US player associations are doing. They are the biggest player associations in world sport and provide great learning experiences for organisations like the ACA.

I also wanted to gain a better understanding of how the US sports present their match days as well as what they’re doing in the areas of digital and social media.

What were the major learnings from the trip?I learnt a significant amount from the trip.

From the meetings with the three player associations, I picked up some new ideas for programs, services and benefits we can offer our members, as well as some ideas for new events we could run.

I also learnt a lot about how they organise and engage their members to become valuable contributors to their associations. Their focus on the history of what their associations have achieved for players and their use of past players to communicate this to current players is impressive and something we can learn from.

There were various other issues we discussed that will provide valuable learnings now and into the future. These included the background and strategies relating to the industrial disputes they have all been

through, the agent accreditation programs they are respectively running, the pros and cons of private ownership of teams, how their respective media rights deals are structured, how they go about campaigning for changes on issues of importance, how their player payment models work and the role of the player associations in this process as well as various other items of interest.

My meetings with the Los Angeles based basketball teams gave me a good overview of the strategies they are using to engage with fans and what they’re doing in the areas of digital and social media.

I found it interesting that the Lakers have built a brand around their cheerleaders (Lakers Girls) and they use them for many appearances and promotions instead of the players. This takes a lot of pressure off the players who are obviously extremely busy people, but still allows the Lakers to be active in the community.

The Clippers are the fastest growing team in the NBA in terms of social media and I received a comprehensive overview of their strategy which will be of use to the ACA.

The two games I attended were fantastic experiences. The thing that struck me the most about the way they present the games is the use of the video screens. At every break in play, no matter how small, they play music, sponsored ads, player profiles, updates from other games etc. They don’t allow any downtime in the game day experience and as a consequence the atmosphere is brilliant.

The whole experience is geared towards providing a memorable experience for the fan. The public transport drops you at the stadium, they have bands playing as soon as you enter the stadium, there are various sponsor giveaways that fans can access and the entertainment is non-stop.

I think they do a great job of providing fans with a superior game day experience by attending rather than watching on TV. We have a lot to learn from the US in this area as I don’t think we do enough to make the at-match experience better than the TV experience.

How do their MOUs compare to ours?Their players receive a far higher percentage share of game revenues (roughly 45-50%) than ours do, however it’s important to understand that their revenues are significantly higher, teams are privately owned and neither the teams nor the leagues have any responsibility for funding grassroots sport like CA and the other governing bodies do.

Whilst their player payments are far higher than what we enjoy, on the flipside players receive limited contract security with teams able to terminate contracts at little or no notice, the baseballers and basketballers endure unbelievably congested playing schedules, injury payment cover is as a rule inferior to what we offer and the professional development services offered to players doesn’t compare to what we offer.

One thing that is difficult to ignore about the US system is the consistency with which negotiations for MOUs / CBAs end up in either an owner lockout of the players or a player strike. The trip gave me a good understanding of why this continues to occur but it also gave me confidence that this won’t occur under our system.

With respect to the player associations, was there anything you think they could learn from the ACA?Despite the fact they are much bigger organisations than us, there were two main areas where we are ahead of them.

The first one is our Professional Development Program. They are all a long way behind us here. It’s probably understandable given what their players earn, however they have had some well documented player welfare issues over the years.

I met with these organisations for the first time about seven years ago and at that point they were doing next to nothing in this area and none of them saw it as important. Their mindset has shifted significantly over this time and they were very interested in the programs and services we are offering.

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Former NFLPA Executive Director Gene Upshaw immortalised in bronze & Paul Marsh at the home of the New York Giants, Metlife Stadium

Insights from the US

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Wayne Phillips opens up about his battle with depression

I could sense something wasn’t right. It was in my own decision making; I just didn’t feel sharp. I was getting frustrated, which is unlike me and I couldn’t quite get things to work, and I was dull in my thinking. Then I stopped doing things that I enjoyed. I found myself spending more time at home sitting by myself, which again, is not like me. I didn’t play golf, didn’t catch up with my mates – those sorts of things. I didn’t feel in control.

It was on the back of my father passing away, Hookesy’s death, and I’d lost my job as coach of the Redbacks so all of those things were pretty heavy matters which came around at a similar time. You tend to keep wearing those things. It was about six months before I sought some assistance, after I’d found things getting duller and duller. I was losing that sharpness so I went and made some decisions.

Insight into the US continued . . . The second area is what we are doing for past players. Whilst they provide good post-career benefit programs (ie pensions and insurances) for past players, they have minimal engagement with the broader past player group. All were interested in what we provided with respect to our social events, health services and ACA Masters program as well as our general engagement with the past players.

So in summary, the trip was worthwhile?Yes it was very valuable.

The US player associations are the benchmark so to be able to gather as much information from them as I did will be incredibly valuable now and into the future.

The meetings with the teams and the games I attended will help us contribute to the future direction of the game which I genuinely believe is an important part of our role.

I went online and visited a few websites. I answered their questions and got them all right! So I knew something was wrong, and that was a really important thing to recognise.

I went and saw my boss and he told me to go and get it sorted out. He’d had a family member who’d had a similar experience. I was never threatened by it; I just needed to know (what it was). That was the important thing from my perspective, to get an understanding.

So I went to my doctor, who I’ve known since he worked at the SACA and he was very good. He asked some clear, strong questions which I answered, and he said that I had a bit of an issue. Despite the news, I actually walked away from the doctor’s feeling bloody happy because I knew what the hell was going on and I could deal with it from there.

I’m usually really happy when I’m busy and getting up to a bit of mischief but I was having difficulty fitting everything in. While it didn’t get to a savage level I thought, “Gee I’m flat here and I’m just not making decisions”. Everything was being dulled and while I wasn’t constantly ‘sad’, I was spending more time ‘below the line’ than ‘above the line’. I’ve always been above the line and I’d snuck below it. I don’t think I was there for very long but I wasn’t comfortable there at all. It affected my confidence because I didn’t feel sharp; that concerned me and I felt a bit subdued as a result but once you learn what it is, you can get yourself organised and on top of it.

No one had asked me before I’d seen the doctor if I was OK, but after I’d had the assessment and told people, they said that I hadn’t seemed myself. I didn’t keep it (the diagnosis) a secret – I didn’t brag about it either – but there was obviously some things in my make-up and how I was going about things that people had identified, but it’s almost a taboo topic. Perhaps with better education people will be quicker to ask “are you OK?’. That’s the sort of question that should be asked more often.

The doctor prescribed me some medication and I’m still on that, although at a very reduced dosage now. I don’t feel reliant on it but I’m comfortable taking it. It doesn’t affect me health-wise, physically, but it enables me to be clear and sharp and in a position of control again. To get that belief in myself again was the crucial part.

I wasn’t concerned about how those close to me would react because I knew they would support me. That’s why they’re your mates and why you can rely on them. What people thought of me wasn’t an issue at all, getting my health right was the important thing and I knew my mates would understand that. Any tiny amount of stigma I might have felt left very quickly. I got great support from my friends and my wife, Janine.

People said, “You’re the last bloke I’d think would suffer from depression” – and that idea was a strange one to get my head around. The reality is that it affects a strong number of people but there is support there, there’s guidance there, and don’t be alarmed if you need to seek that because it is quite a normal sort of event.

If I find that I’m taking on too many things I’ve learned that sometimes I need to pull back a bit. I can recognise the triggers that might challenge me and I try to limit those and manage my workload. I’ve realised I need a spell occasionally and some hours to myself to remain fit and active and sharp. Being physically active is an important component in keeping me sharp mentally.

It was a great feeling to be ‘back in control’. People started to notice that the sharpness had returned and I had a smile on the mush. While it’s been a challenge, it’s been a great learning experience for me.

Former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman and South Australian legend Wayne Phillips is renowned for his quick wit, dry sense of humour and cheeky demeanour. So it came as quite a shock to those who know him, to discover that he’d battled depression. Onside caught up with Wayne, who was open, honest and philosophical about what he’d been through…

Signs and SymptomsIf you notice any behavioural changes that last for more than two weeks in family members or friends, then it is worth asking if the person may be depressed.

Common behaviour associated with depression includes:

• moodiness that is out of character

• increased irritability and frustration

• finding it hard to take minor personal criticisms

• spending less time with friends and family

• loss of interest in food, sex, exercise or other pleasurable activities

• being awake throughout the night

• increased alcohol and drug use

• staying home from work or school

• increased physical health complaints like fatigue or pain

• being reckless or taking unnecessary risks (e.g. driving fast or dangerously)

• slowing down of thoughts and actions.

Studies published recently revealed that stigma surrounding mental health is still a huge barrier to people accessing services to help them.

The Australian newspaper published findings from the most recent Black Dog Index, a measure of national mental health developed by the Black Dog Institute.

Newspoll contacted 1213 Australian adults and found that in response to the question "If you felt so sad or down that you had lost interest or pleasure in your normal activities, most of the day, every day for two weeks or more, would you seek help?" only 51% of men said they were likely to seek help. In fact, 23% per cent of men said they were "very unlikely" to seek help.

According to Black Dog Institute executive director Helen Christensen, the stigma of mental illness is enough to prevent some people from seeking treatment, even if "people think they are going to be stigmatised more than they actually will be".

"The fear is greater than the actual result," she said.

"There is a lot of help available, you can even get help for your problems anonymously through web-based applications, even mobile phone applications.”

Ben Smith, the National Manager of the ACA’s Professional Development Program said these findings had clear implications for ACA members.

“One in five Australians are affected by mental illness every year, with one of the most common of these being depression,” he said.

“These stats alone indicate that it is a significant issue and one likely to affect many of our members.

“However, many of them are used to tackling things individually, wanting to appear stoic or incorrectly viewing mental health challenges as a sign of weakness.

“It’s important that our members – and their friends and family – are able to recognise some of the symptoms and understand that help is available. We’ve had some tremendous outcomes for those that have been able to seek assistance, because in many cases it’s that first step that is the hardest.

“Cricketers are used to seeking treatment for physical injuries and they need to adopt the same approach to their mental health.”

Counselling services for ACA membersThe ACA and Cricket Australia provide confidential professional counselling services to members and their families through a partnership with Relationships Australia.

The ACA is also a member of the Australian Psychological Society. As a member the ACA has access to a national database of psychologists who specialise in wellbeing counselling services.

Members can contact Ben Smith at the ACA on 03 9698 7216, call Relationships Australia

direct on 1300 364 277 (mention you are a member), or email aca@ransw.org.au.

Members should be aware that all calls and contact in relation to this service will be treated confidentially.

Other resources include Lifeline's 24-hour crisis line (13 11 14), your local doctor or visit the Black Dog Institute website www.blackdog.org.au or Beyond Blue www.beyondblue.org.au .

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Fear of stigma a barrier to breakthroughs

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Tony’s bouncing back from his biggest challenge

On 29 August 2010, the life of former South Australian batsman Tony Handrickan took a significant turn.

The then-51 year-old survived a brain aneurism which had the potential to take his life.

A life member of Port Adelaide Cricket Club, Tony Handrickan was a State Manager for Patrick Stevedores when the setback took him and wife Vicki down a different path.

Onside caught up with Vicki, who told us about their journey…

Initially we were purely concerned for Tony’s health.

Then, once we’d got our heads around the seriousness of what had happened, our minds turned to what the financial implications would be. The aneurism had a serious effect on Tony’s speech, memory retention and therefore his ability to work.

On that day in August, Tony came outside after watching 60 Minutes and collapsed. He was unconscious so we rang an ambulance. They asked us what had led up to it and I said ‘I don’t know; he didn’t have a headache or anything’.

They told us he was a sick man and that anybody who needed to say goodbye needed to come to the hospital right away.

I was in shock. It was a huge shock because there was really nothing leading up to it. He’d suffered what was called a subarachnoid haemorrhage or brain aneurism. A two millimetre aneurism typically takes your life; Tony’s was nine millimetres so he was extremely lucky to survive.

He had to be resuscitated twice; once out the back at home and once in the ambo’.

He was on life support at Royal Adelaide Hospital for 16 days before he was able to start taking some of his own breaths. He had issues with the build-up of fluid and needed a permanent shunt put in his brain.

As a family we were faced with the decision of whether or not to turn it off (the life support). There was a real possibility he could have been a vegetable. I discussed it with the children and decided to keep it on. It was hard to make people understand what it was like but you make

the best decision you can at the time and it’s amazing when you think of how far he’s come since. It was, and still is, quite a journey. We were inundated with calls on all our phones from friends wanting to know how Tony was. Although his children are adults, it was a real shock for them and there was an element of grief to work through as well. Tony’s work was wonderful.

Despite his massive improvement, there were still dramas. He got a blood clot in each leg and another on his lungs they thought might have been cancer (which thankfully it wasn’t).

We were very fortunate in that Tony had taken out extra insurance. He had superannuation insurance – which I think most people have – but what many people fail to realise is that it isn’t for the rest of your life; it only covers two years and beyond that there’s nothing. It also takes three months to kick in, so that can be a challenge. I couldn’t work in those initial months because I needed to be with him, so we had no income.

We discovered that just a few month’s earlier Tony had taken up an opportunity to make additional contributions to insurance through his company. I recalled a conversation we’d had where he explained that the company had offered an ‘opt-in’ option to this scheme. He had thought about whether or not to do it and as I had pretty limited understanding of insurance so I told him to do what he thought was best. Thank God he took it up! He’d only signed up in the April and this all happened the following August, so it was good timing.

Tony had income protection insurance, which entitles him to 75% of his weekly wage.

If he didn’t have that extra insurance I don’t think he’d be living here; I think he’d be a nursing home but we’d still be paying the mortgage off and I’d be in a flat. I don’t know how the kids would cope either as this place has always been their compass point;

a place to return to if they needed it. I think Tony’s condition would have deteriorated as well because I wouldn’t have been able to provide and arrange the same level of support.

The message I’d like to get out there is for people to understand insurance, what it entails, the benefits and when they kick in. For the minimum amount you put in out of your pay packet, it can have long-lasting benefits to your health and financial stability.

The SACA were wonderful to Tony. Andrew Sincock (former teammate and current SACA Board member) and his wife, Yvonne, visited Tone for morning tea and organised for Andrew Zesers to contact us to see how they could assist. They provided an incumbent stationary bike for Tony, which played a key role in helping him regain strength and walk again. He’s used it every day since. The Port Adelaide Cricket Club (where Tony is a Life Member) and his old footy mates from Riverside (now Portland FC) organised fundraisers as well. It was overwhelming, the support.

He’s also enjoyed going to the ACA member functions at the Adelaide Test, where he’s had a great time. Flipper (Wayne Phillips) and the other guys stir him up, which he loves, and I can see that cheeky side of his personality coming back.

Tony and wife, Vicki

Wayne Phillips with Tony Handrickan

Memorable Match South Australia v Tasmania, 1996

10 ACA ONSIDE APRIL 2013

“If you didn’t play you lost your spot and someone else would take it. The players’ attitude was ‘never give a sucker an even break’”.

These were the views of former Tasmanian gloveman Mark Atkinson on what bowlers of his era thought about the possibility of resting, or rotated, for a match.

Atkinson was reminiscing on a Sheffield Shield match at the Adelaide Oval he played in during the 1995-96 season when his team’s three quickies bowled 52 (Josh Marquet), 60 (Mark Ridgway) and 49 (Colin Miller, then solely a medium pacer) overs, respectively. In a 19 day period at the time, Marquet and Ridgway pushed themselves through three Sheffield Shield matches and 147 and 124 overs each.

In today’s day and age such workloads for pace bowlers would be deemed preposterous, with sports scientists putting up red flags left, right and centre.

But 1995-96 was an eternity ago in comparison. Ridgway and Miller were both veterans, with Ridgway going to the extent of hiding his age from teammates until

David Boon stole his wallet one day and found his opening bowler approaching 40!

Their efforts in Adelaide were not enough however with South Australia (SA) prevailing in a gripping contest over four great days. The win gave SA top spot and all but cemented a home Shield final, which a couple of weeks’ later was to memorably reach its climax late on Day 5 with tailenders Peter McIntyre and Shane George holding out for a draw against Western Australia.

Unlike Tasmania, South Australia didn’t rely on the quickies bowling the majority of the overs - far from it. They relied heavily on two elite spin bowlers – offie Tim May and leggie McIntyre. And understandably they were happy to bowl for as long as their captains’ required them.

SA dominated the game for the first three days with quality batsmanship coming from Greg Blewett (135 in the first innings) and Darren Lehmann (89 and 50). But it was the batting of James Brayshaw that set the game up for SA.

Almost forgotten in the AFL states is that Brayshaw was an elite cricketer.

Greg Blewett & Peter McIntyre

The Australian Cricket Superannuation Plan – your insurance safety-net. Superannuation is well recognised as an investment that sets aside money for our retirement years. But the benefits of having insurance inside superannuation are often underestimated.

Most superannuation plans will provide insurance benefits that pay upon your death, and in many instances, upon a total and permanent disability (TPD). Some also replace your income during prolonged periods of illness or injury.

In addition to the death & TPD benefits, temporary salary continuance (also known as income protection insurance) is an important part of the Australian Cricket Superannuation Plan.* We recently witnessed this benefit come to the aid of one of our members that had suffered serious illness. The replacement of his income was critical to him and his family at a time when he faced medical expenses in addition to his usual day-to-day living costs.

As a past-player member of the ACA, you are eligible to join the Australian Cricket Superannuation Plan and apply for the insurance benefits available in the Plan.

If you would like to know more about the Australian Cricket Superannuation Plan then contact Certainty Financial (the financial advisers to the Plan) on 03 9890 0222 (Toll Free 1800 680 141) or email at corporate@certainty.com.au.

*Temporary salary continuance is not available to currently contracted players under the Plan.

In addition to the services outlined above, please remember that if you, or another ACA member you know, is in genuine financial difficulty, the ACA has a Player Hardship Fund. Members can contact Ben Smith in confidence to discuss how the fund works – 03 9698 7216 or bsmith@auscricket.com.au .

Memorable Match South Australia v Tasmania, 1996

ACA ONSIDE APRIL 2013 11

He averaged 42 from 75 first-class matches and in this match was unstoppable, piling on 141 not out in the first innings, before adding a run-a-ball 59 in the second. He carried this form into the final, making 87 and 66.

McIntyre recalls Brayshaw as a “steady” player, but someone everyone enjoyed playing with. As a guide to his future antics on the AFL Footy Show he made sure the game wasn’t taken too seriously and that there was plenty of fun banter on the field, and even more in the dressing rooms.

As often happens at the Adelaide Oval, the wicket started to deteriorate on Days 3 and 4, opening up the game for the slower bowlers. The Adelaide Oval wicket was then regarded by both Atkinson and McIntyre as the premier ground in the country for long-form cricket, offering incentives across the game for all players. This game was a cracker, the final was even better, and most Test matches end somewhere late on Day 5. It is hard to argue it is still the benchmark.

A target of 370 was set, with a tick over 100 overs to achieve the target.

An innings of substance was required and it was provided by the youngest batsman in the opposition team. The precocious talent of Michael Di Venuto had been on display previously in Shield cricket but never more so than on that day.

“His innings was remarkable,” recalls Atkinson. “Not only for his shot making, which was always wonderful to watch, but also because he virtually played a lone hand as the next highest score was 38 (by Shaun Young)!”

Di Venuto finished on 154 from his five-and-a-half hour occupation of the crease. At 6-225 the game appeared lost but he forged vital partnerships with Atkinson (22) and Miller (34*) to restore the balance. When he was dismissed off May the scorecard read 8-337 and the game quickly turned SA’s way. They were dismissed for 348, 21 runs short with a little time still remaining.

SA’s spin-twins did most of the damage, combining for 12 wickets across the match from a combined tally of 120 overs. McIntyre longs for these days when spinners get a decent run but urges patience with the younger brigade. “History will show the majority of spinners don’t fully master the

craft until their mid-to-late twenties,” he adds.

Interestingly, a remarkable 14 of the 24 players involved in the contest are still heavily involved with elite cricket. Blewett (commentating), Lehmann (coaching), Brayshaw (President Melbourne Renegades), Siddons (coaching), Neilson (coaching), May (FICA CEO), Wilson (umpiring) for SA, and Hills (coaching), Cox (SACA Cricket Operations), Di Venuto (coaching), Boon (ICC match referee), Tucker (umpiring), Atkinson (coaching) and Ridgway (coaching, selecting and commentating) for Tasmania.

The one that perhaps stands out at present is Tucker, a recent addition to the ICC elite international umpiring panel. Atkinson didn’t see it coming in his playing days with his only recollection of Tucker as the umpire was him bringing a chair out to umpire a junior match!

It was just 17 years ago but so much has changed. Tucker is now an elite umpire, there are no forty year-olds running around Shield cricket, spin twins in state cricket are rarely, if ever, seen, and a fast bowler would never be allowed to bowl 147 overs in 19 days. For the better or worse?

Mark Ridgway & Shaun Young

South Australia v Tasmania Scorecard

12 ACA ONSIDE APRIL 2013

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MEMORABLE MATCHES

Sheffield Shield, 1995/96, 27th Match

South Australia v Tasmania Adelaide Oval 14,15,16,17 March 1996 (4-day match)

Toss: South Australia Umpires: DJ Harper and IS Thomas

South Australia 1st Innings 2nd Innings

GS Blewett c & b Ridgway 135 Ibw b Ridgway 7

PC Nobes c Young b Ridgway 17 b Ridgway 28

DS Webber c Atkinson b Marquet 28 b Miller 16

DS Lehmann c Young b Miller 89 b Marquet 50

JA Brayshaw not out 141 c Di Venuto b Miller 59

*JD Siddons c Di Venuto b Miller 36 c Cox b Ridgway 2

+TJ Nielsen c Atkinson b Ridgway 0 c Boon b Ridgway 8

SP George DNB c Ridgway b Miller 0

TBA May c Daly b Ridgway 41 not out 2

PE McIntyre DNB C Tucker b Ridgway 0

Extras (b 5, lb 8, w 1, nb 6) 20 Extras (b 3, lb 5, nb 2) 10

Total 7 w decl, 138 overs 507 9 w decl, 44.3 overs 182

DNB: MA Harrity

Tasmania 1st Innings 2nd Innings

BOWLING: O M R W O M R W

Marquet 36 8 110 1 16 2 63 1

Ridgway 43 3 166 4 17.3 3 64 5

Miller 38 6 151 2 11 2 47 3

Young 13 2 37 0

Tucker 8 1 30 0

Tasmania 1st Innings 2nd Innings

DF Hills c Nielsen b Blewett 70 lbw b May 30

J Cox b George 5 b Harrity 4

MJ Di Venuto c Lehmann b Blewett 27 c sub (P Wilson) b May 154

*DC Boon lbw b May 117 c Siddons b McIntyre 4

+MN Atkinson c Nielsen b Harrity 12 c Webber b McIntyre 22

S Young c Blewett b McIntyre 32 c Siddons b George 38

AJ Daly st Nielsen b McIntyre 0 b May 20

RJ Tucker b McIntyre 1 c Webber b Harrity 5

CR Miller c Nielsen b May 23 c Blewett b May 34

MW Ridgway lbw b McIntyre 14 not out 2

JP Marquet not out 0 lbw b George 0

Extras b 1, lb 4, nb 14 5 b 2, lb 14, w 5, nb 14 35

Total all out, 104.2 overs 320 all out, 100.1 overs 348

1st Innings 2nd Innings

BOWLING: O M R W O M R W

Harrity 19 1 69 1 13 1 63 2

George 19 1 81 1 15.1 2 57 2

Blewett 10 3 34 2 8 0 21 0

May 29 8 56 2 29 2 106 4

McIntyre 27.2 2 75 4 35 9 85 2