Penrith Cricket Club Tribute to Trevor Bayliss: 1999/2000

A Great Career, Trevor Bayliss (TB), undoubtedly the greatest batsman to play for Penrith, has announced his retirement after playing 19 seasons with the club - 1981/82 to 1999/2000; by far the longest serving First Grade player.

Trevor was recommended to the Penrith Cricket Club by Rex Keller, who played cricket locally in the Nepean District Association competition. Rex was transferred to Goulburn mid-season with his work, and on the local cricket fields of the Goulburn district, he first came upon one young Trevor Bayliss. Rex was most impressed with Trevor's play, and he suggested to the Penrith Cricket Club that he was an outstanding prospect. Contact was made with the Goulburn Cricket Association, who suggested he was possibly the best young cricketer produced in their area.

TB's parents, Ted & Helen, were probably a little concerned about him leaving home at the tender age of 18 to come to Penrith. A good place to live and a secure job were their main concerns. Bill Ball, who at the time was the Nepean DCA delegate to the Penrith Grade Club, arranged a job with the Department of Navy at Kingswood and also offered accommodation in their own home at Emu Plains.

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The provisional selectors graded Trevor in 1st Grade for the first match in the season 1981/82. He played both 1st and 2nd grade that year, scoring a total in 1st grade of 316 runs @ 22.57 - a very promising first season with the club.

In his second season, Trevor had an outstanding season, scoring 526 runs @ 32.28, including his maiden century - a brilliant 120 against Sydney University. First Grade won the premiership that season, defeating Bankstown.

Trevor Bayliss had arrived as a first-grade cricketer. Proving to be a most capable batsman, he was also brilliant in the field. For the next 17 seasons, he proved himself to be an outstanding player, scoring just over 9000 runs for the club at 42.7,8 including 19 centuries with a double century - 206 not out, which remains a club record for 1st grade. He also scored 42 Fifties. As a change bowler, he captured 43 wickets @ 38.49, including a hat-trick against Hawkesbury. He cracked the ton in the fielding area with 118 catches and as a wicket keeper on occasions, effected 19 stumpings.

During the Poidevin Gray Shield season of 1981/82, Trevor and his great mate from Bathurst, Brian Wood, set a Club record unbeaten partnership of 359 runs scored in only 195 minutes against the Sydney club. TB was 204 not out, and Brian 160 not out. He is the only player to have scored two double centuries for the club. The following season, Trevor captained the Poidevin Gray Shield team to the premiership undefeated. The highlight of his season was a sensational 107 not out in the semi-final against Northern Districts at Hurstville Oval. The club, over the years, has often fielded stronger teams in this competition; however, his outstanding leadership and his ability to lift the performance of his players under pressure enabled this very young and experienced team to win its first Poidevin Gray Shield competition.

In 1988/89, Trevor was elected First Grade captain, and he led the team to the semi-finals in consecutive seasons - 1995/96 and 1996/97. In 1998/9,9 he captained the team to the Fosters Light Ice Limited Overs premiership and in the same season led the team to victory against Illawarra in the State Challenge.

Trevor began his First Class and Sheffield Shield career with New South Wales, starting with the tour to Zimbabwe in 1985/86. In all, he played on 58 occasions for the State, scoring 3060 runs @ 35.5,8 including 5 centuries with a top score of 163. Trevor also had the honour of captaining his State in the Sheffield Shield competition. His most successful season for New South Wales was 1989/90 when he amassed 901 runs at 56.3,1, including 2 centuries and five fifties. At the time, he was considered unlucky not to have played for Australia in the One Day series. During his career at the First Class level, Trevor was recognised as the equal of any fieldsman. In the Annual Report of the NSW Cricket Association in season 1989.90, TB featured on the cover of this publication in typically aggressive mode, playing a pull shot. He was a member of the New South Wales Sheffield Shield winning teams of 1987/88, 1991/92 and 1992/93.

Trevor's two great strengths have been his loyalty and his leadership. Throughout his long and distinguished career, he received numerous offers from other clubs, but remained loyal to Penrith.

Unlike many First Class cricketers, Trevor was always available to play grade cricket. Trevor, you will be remembered by all of those who played with you at all levels - and also by those many followers, as an attacking and aggressive player: well respected and highly regarded. We at Penrith Cricket Club thank you for your great contribution to our club.

By Trevor Wholohan

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