Scotch College

Main Oval cricket nets unveiled

Eight new cricket practice nets were officially opened on Friday morning 26 August by Colin McDonald (’46) and Bob Cowper (’58), the only two living Scotch Test cricketers.

Others attending the ceremony included the Principal, Dr Gordon Donaldson, the Chairman of the School Council, Mr Michael Robinson, former President of the McLeod Club (Cricket Support Group), Jane Murray and Executive Director of the Old Scotch Collegians’ Association, Tim Shearer.

Also present were members of the victorious ’55 and ’56 First XI teams celebrating their 50-year reunion with coach John Miles and present-day pupils.

At morning assembly prior to the opening, the Principal in welcoming the teams of 50 years ago, said tradition played a major part in making Scotch the great School that it is. Michael Winneke, School Captain and First XI Captain ’55 in thanking the Principal for the invitation on behalf of himself and Ian Law, First XI Captain ’56 said it was no wonder that both teams won premierships. Bob Cowper went on to play for Australia and four others, Ian Law, Graham Whitford, Dave Cowper and Malcolm Hill played for Victoria.

Sporting prowess was not limited to cricket as four from the ’56 team played in Hawthorn’s first VFL premiership side in 1961. They were Ian Law (Hawthorn best and fairest in ’61, ’63 and ’64), Colin Youren, John Winneke and Malcolm Hill.

At the opening of the nets, master of ceremonies, Tim Shearer thanked all those who helped to make the practice wickets a reality, especially Tom Crow, School Captain ’50 and First XI Captain ’48–’50 who donated $50,000 to the project.

Introducing Colin McDonald, First XI ’'344–’46, Tim said Colin was a courageous opening batsman who never took a backward step even when facing ferocious fast bowlers of his era such as Fred Trueman, Frank Tyson and Wesley Hall. At that time a batsman’s only protection were pads, flimsy batting gloves and a box. Colin played in 47 tests, made five centuries and scored 3106 runs at an average of just under 40.

In his speech Colin said he hoped the practice wickets would be put to good use and challenged the School to produce two more Test cricketers, as he and Bob Cowper were getting a bit long in the tooth. Two more would take the number of former Scotch Test cricketers up to eleven.

In introducing Bob Cowper, First XI ’55–’58, Captain ’57–’58, Tim Shearer mentioned the 307 runs Bob scored against England in 1966, still the highest Test score at the MCG. Bob retired from international cricket at 27, having played 27 tests with five centuries and scored 2061 runs at an average of just under 47.

Bob unveiled a plaque commemorating the opening of the nets. The Captain of VIIA cricket, Nick Jamieson bowled the first ball at the nets to the Captain of the First XI George Dick, who played it confidently back down the pitch.

The official party then adjourned to the Masters’ Common Room for morning tea where Colin McDonald and Bob Cowper signed cricket bats and photos for the McLeod Club.

The ’55 and ’56 teams plus coach John Miles and Colin McDonald (who incidentally both played cricket together at the University of Melbourne) later adjourned to Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club for a meal and refreshments over which many former deeds and triumphs were recalled.

Rear: Leigh McGregor, Neil Wrigglesworth, Ian McLaren, Colin Youren, John Winneke, Malcolm Hill and Graham Whitford Front: Dr Gordon Donaldson, Alan Parton, Brian Cossar, Michael Winneke, John Miles, Ian Law, Bob Cowper and Colin McDonald Colin McDonald Bob Cowper Nick Jamieson and George Dick The opening plaque

Brian Cossar