Celebrating 175 years - Melbourne Cricket Club

MCC CRICKET
Halbish takes
charge of XXIXers
MCC First XI premiership player
Phil Halbish is the XXIX Club’s
new president, replacing Mark
Anderson at the end of his mandatory
three-year term.
The Halbish name will be familiar to many
and, yes, there is a connection. Phil is the son
of former Australian Cricket Board CEO
Graham Halbish.
The former fast bowler joined the MCC
from Prahran in 2000/01 and was a valuable
contributor with ball and bat for many years,
bowing out in fine style as a member of the
club’s 2009/10 premiership team.
A formal handover of the presidency took
place at the MCG during the Boxing Day
Test, scene of one of many social outings
available to XXIX Club members. Now, Phil’s
on a recruiting mission to boost playing ranks
for the 15-20 cricket matches played annually
by the XXIXers.
The XXIX Club was formed in 1956 by a
group of MCC senior players. Their objective
was to foster cricket generally, but particularly
LEFT: New MCC XXIX Club president Phil Halbish
(centre) with previous presidents (from left)
Stuart Stockdale, David Broad, Mark Anderson
and John Anderson.
ABOVE: XXIX Club membership provides
opportunities to play cricket at some iconic
venues, both interstate and overseas.
in the country, by playing mid-week and
Sunday games in addition to the normal
Premier Cricket fixtures.
The club is into its 57th year and, while still
flourishing, the stock of more youthful types
capable of taking the field on a semi-regular
basis is thinning.
Being a member of the XXIX Club is one of
the more enjoyable aspects of life at the MCC.
It offers good company and the chance to play
social cricket in some great locations,
including overseas tours that are the perfect
blend of holiday and cricket.
So, if you’re a cricketer keen on the odd
social match and looking for new experiences,
find out more about XXIX Club membership
via mcc.org.au or by contacting MCC club
sport administration officer Matthew Simpson
on (03) 9657 8888.
Lloyd Shield defended in Kensington
Cricket at the MCC takes on many
forms and, amid a busy season of
Premier Cricket, a group of MCC players
found time over the Christmas break to visit
our “sister club”, Kensington District
Cricket Club in Adelaide, for the annual
clash to defend the Bob Lloyd Shield.
The club has been alternating hosting
duties with its South Australian counterpart
for more than 40 years. In hot conditions on
December 27, the visitors continued the
tradition of bowling first.
The heat and a good batting pitch made it
tough for the bowlers, who did well to
restrict the home side to 9/274 from the
allotted 40 overs. Sam Brewin was the pick
of the bowlers with 3/42, while fellow
spinners Justin Graham and Sean Sturrock
also took three wickets apiece.
In reply, teenage talent Mathew Begbie
held together the run chase with a glorious
90. After his departure, and some
contributions from Tristan Larter, Graham
and Brewin, it was Shane Giese (42) and
The MCC team and Kensington DCC batsmen take a much-needed break from the heat during
the clubs’ annual match on December 27 in Adelaide.
Sean Sturrock (42 not out) who took up the
challenge of scoring the 80 required from the
final 10 overs.
In a whirlwind partnership, Giese and
Sturrock ensured the target was reached with
22 balls to spare! Thus the Bob Lloyd Shield,
named after a man who made a significant
contribution to both clubs, will remain with
the MCC for at least another year.
We welcome the return battle at the
Albert Ground in December during the
Ashes Test.
14 MCC NEWS March 2013