He’s batted on the hallowed turf of the SCG (Sydney Cricket Ground) under the leadership of cricketing great Stuart MacGill - but he’s not a household name.
And, he’s represented his club at both domestic and international matches, but he’s not a professional.
Onetime local and long-time cricketing tragic, Richard Priestly, has been ‘selected’ to play for the prestigious SGC XI.
As a member of the Sydney Cricket Ground, Richard is eligible to participate in the social and community aspects of the game.
“I’ve been involved with cricket for much of my life,” Richard said.
Before moving to Sydney more than two decades ago, 43-year-old Richard regularly played in the Nambucca Valley.
He was Macksville High School’s captain in 1986.
During his university studies, he played for the University of NSW and more recently played club cricket for St Patrick’s in the Sutherland Shire.
Richard also loves to watch a good game of cricket, and for that reason became a member of the SCG.
“I’m a relatively recent member of the SGC myself, having had to wait for many years to get there,” he said.
“But, I have been involved with the members’ element of the SCG for some time.
“Upon being elected as a member I became eligible to play for the SCG XI.”
The SCG XI is a group that gives members an
opportunity to participate in the social and community aspects of cricket.
This is the social cricket playing arm of the Sydney Cricket Club (whose home ground is the SCG), he explained.
It is based on the models of the Marylebone and Melbourne Cricket Clubs, he said.
“We play matches against charity cricket clubs; I played in a match against the Primary Club on the SCG, invitational teams and some visiting sides.”
These have included teams from India, England and Hong Kong.
“I recently played in an SCG XI team captained by Stuart MacGill, the former Test spinner’s first game since semi-retiring from professional cricket.
“Shortly after, he (MacGill) resumed his professional cricket career with the Sydney Sixers.
“We in the SCG XI would like to think we were directly responsible for giving him the practise and capability to resume first class cricket.
“As SCG XI players we also get to go on domestic and international cricket tours.”
As a member of the SCG XI, Richard also attends
special events.
Recently he attended the Sydney Test against India.
And, on the second morning of the Test, a group of selected SCG XI members were invited to conduct a pitch inspection and pose questions to the curator.
“That was a great experience.”
Richard described cricket as a great sport; a real gentleman’s game.
It’s a game of camaraderie.
Being a management consultant, Richard said the game helped him relax and unwind.
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