St George District Cricket Club - 1960-61: Premiers in the 50th year
Fifty years on from the club’s founding, St George won the first grade premiership and the club championship, and it had produced another Australian cricket with Brian Booth’s selection for the 1961 Ashes tour.
Two new players made a great impact. With John O’Reilly sidelined for much of the season with a broken ankle, off-spinner Don Hinks filled in admirably, heading the bowling with 27 wickets at the handsome average of 12.74.
St George’s batting might was improved further by the arrival of the very popular Ray Flockton (pictured), who had made an unbeaten 264 for NSW in the previous season. In the final three games he played three match-winning innings: 1138 not out and 66 in the semi-final and 139 in the final. He also opened the bowling, taking 1-47, 4-23 and 2-40 in those matches.
The batting line-up at full strength read Saunders, Watson, O’Neill, Booth, Flockton, Buchanan and Michael, yet not once would all seven be available at the same.
Norm O’Neill played just one match for St George due to Test and state duties. Booth managed just five innings as he played all eight Shield matches for NSW, while Flockton chalked up six matches for NSW, Saunders five and Watson three. As well, all three missed club matches on NSW 12th man duties.
Winning the premiership in the club’s 50th year was therefore a great achievement.
There were highlights aplenty:
· O’Neill hit 181 for Australia in the famed Tied test against the West Indies
· Booth had another stellar season for NSW averaging over 60
· Saunders and Booth opened the batting for NSW on a green top against the might of Wes Hall of the West Indies before the first test
· Saunders followed his 205 for St George in early October with 151 not out a month later
· Watson again averaged over 60 for the club
· Don Buchanan had a second very good summer, which included 123 not out in an unbeaten partnership of 247 with Flockton that stood as a club record for the fourth wicket for 49 years.
· John O’Reilly took 8-64 against Waverley
The season began with a “replay” of the previous season’s final. This time, while Wests had Davidson, St George was without O’Neill, yet St George triumphed by just 11 runs in another exciting game. After a good start Wests were bowled out for 218 after St George declared at 6-229. Flockton top-scored in his first match with 54 after a good start from Saunders (47) and Watson (42) that nullified Davidson. Don Hinks with 3-36 also had a fine debut that included bowling Davidson for 3.
St George made in three wins in a row as Warren Saunders became the fourth players to score 200 for the club after Bradman, Morris, and O’Neill. His 205 against Northern District was remarkable in that the next highest score for the team was just 18 and he scored two-thirds of the total of 8-307.
The final at the SCG was a torrid affair as St George, missing O’Neill and Booth who were en route to the 1961 Ashes series in England, faced up to minor premiers Mosman led by for Test captain Ian Craig. Batting first, St George lost Saunders in the first over to giant, express fast bowler Gordon Rorke. Then when Vic Michael fell to the same bolwer for a duck, the score was 2-34 with Watson on 33. Saunders later described Watson’s innings of 66 as outstanding, as he shielded nervous starter Flockton from the bowling of Rorke and NSW swing bowler Bob Leatherbarrow. Flockton went on to score a marvelous 139, enabling a declaration at 8-313. A good start by Mosman eventually fell away as they were dismissed for 223, enabling St George to claim its first premiership since 1952-53.
Club stalwart George barter announced his retirement on a happy note. After more than 20 years as second grade captain, George was promoted to first grade at age 42 and had the satisfaction of finishing with a first grade premiership to his name.
The St George yearbook gives much credit to Warren Saunders as captain, finishing with “Whilst the game is played with the verve and spirit engendered by the attitude of our captain, cricket will retain its distinctive and edifying characteristics.”
The winning of the club championship in the club’s 50th year was the first of six successive titles – testimony to the St George’s depth and strength
This story was originally published in the book written by John Rogers titled “Mr St George” - Warren Saunders and the culture of success he inspired.