Welcome to the latest Howzat Building Waratahs in History. This Q & A is with Ross “Wibbers” Wiblin.
Ross played 9 seasons initially from 1978/1979 to 1985/1986 with some cameo comebacks 20 years later over 3 seasons playing 4 matches from 2006/07 to 2008/09.
Ross played 109 matches for the “Tahs” scoring 1,687 runs with his highest score of 97 in his first season. Ross is one of our valued Blue Blood club members and his history with the club is a great read.
Our Waratahs in History series is proudly sponsored by Howzat Building Services. Visit Andrew Watkins and the team at www.howzatbuildingservices.com.au for all your building needs.
How did your love of cricket come about as a child? Who were your cricket heroes growing up?
I vividly remember watching a Test match on TV when I was perhaps four years of age. Instantly mesmerised, I became totally hooked on the game from that point. Very few daylight hours in summer were spent without a bat or ball in hand in the back yard, out in the street or at school.
Doug Walters was my all-time favourite, closely followed by the Chappells, Marsh and Lillee.
Tell us a bit about your junior journey on your way to playing at Manly?
I’m certain that my first ‘official’ cricket came about because my brother’s team was short of players and needed someone to make up the numbers. I was possibly 8 or 9 years old with the others 2 years older. I do recall opening the batting in one game because no-one else wanted to, and scoring 7. I treated it like a hundred.
It wasn’t until I started high school (Bali Boys) that I played with kids in my own age group. Several of us signed up to play for Seaforth Youth Club that first year including Dean Abbey, Nick Johnson and Scott Matthews. The latter’s father, Roy, was Manager of our team.
Early that season I scored my first ever 50 at Balgowlah Oval. Shortly afterwards, my parents received a mid-week phone call from Roy Matthews. Unbeknown to all, Roy was to also manage the Moore Shield Junior Rep side that year and had arranged a pre-season tour to Armidale and enquired if I was available. It was the first time that I had received any recognition, and an inward perception that I might be able to actually play the game. Being over 50 years ago, I don’t recall much about the cricket side of things, we had a great trip with many memories and started friendships (and many more memories) that last to today. Richard Trim, Tony Pitcher, Dean Abbey, Mark O’Connell et al.
Moore Shield, then Watson Shield led into the Manly grade Club introducing a side into the men’s Saturday afternoon competition, designed as a pathway for young players to progress to Green Shield and Grade cricket. Primarily Watson Shield players from the previous season we played in C3s under the Manly banner. As 13- to 14-year-olds, we overcame most sides 2 or 3 times our age. The following season saw us in C2s with similar results.
In the meantime, these couple/few years were eventful. Naturally, we made pests of ourselves by turning up to official Grade pre-season trials unsuccessfully. We would however regularly get down to Manly Oval whenever possible to watch the likes of Mike Pawley, Terry Lee, Jim Burke, Graeme Beard, Frank Turner, Mal Elliott & Co. Dean Abbey and I got the best seats at the 1973/74 1st Grade Final vs Northern Districts at Manly Oval by operating the scoreboard. The atmosphere at that match was incredible, leaving us with an even greater resolve to play with them.
Secondly, my own game changed somewhat. Whilst scoring a few here and there, I certainly wasn’t setting the world on fire. That changed when they introduced an inter-school competition which saw Bali play against other schools from North Sydney, Crows Nest, Narrabeen etc. One Wednesday afternoon, the PE staff arranged a trial for prospective players. There must have been at least 100 students that attended. Teachers with their clipboards asked for a ‘show of hands’ for those that considered themselves batsmen. Almost all hands went up, including mine. Bowlers? Slightly less, but similar result. Wicket keeper? My hand shot up. A relatively easy ‘keep-off’ exposed the other few as struggling to be capable of tying their shoelaces. I was in and suddenly had become a wicketkeeper.
1976 saw the pathway evolve. From playing under the auspice of the MWDCC, we were placed under Warringah Cricket Club with Weldon Oval as our home base. It was great to be playing on turf every week. It is only now that I realise that we were one of the very first teams to compete for WCC in the Shires competition. A round or two before the Christmas break, Dean Abbey firstly, then followed shortly thereafter by myself, Trimmy, Johno & TP were called up to play 4th Grade at Manly. Under the captaincy of Dave McPherson, who were struggling badly at the time, I’m reasonably certain that we did not lose another game in 1976/77 and helped Manly Warringah District Cricket Club to its first ever Club Championship.
What are your memories of the club in the late 70s as you were coming through the grades? Both on and off the field?
From a club perspective we struggled somewhat and did not achieve anything of significance. Whilst we had an abundance of good talent coming through each year, we also had a high turnover of players. In comparison to today, the club just didn’t have the structure for success. Having said that, you could not fault the quality of people involved nor the level of enjoyment experienced. Personally, Saturdays could not come around quickly enough.
Memories of winter training at Barry Knight’s indoor centre in Kent Street, pre-season trips to Molong or Dubbo, discussing ‘tactics’ at the Steyne Hotel after Thursday training and most of all, nearly every player getting back to ‘The Room At The Top’ each Saturday were all special. Especially the latter. Aside from catching up to see how everyone fared that day, quite often the opportunity to chat with Test and Shield players was unmissable.
Who helped you the most throughout those initial years starting out in Grade cricket at Manly?
The setup was totally different to what it is today. We had no Head Coach, let alone batting, bowling or fielding specialists. It was all down to the individual captains of each grade. Therefore, any help came from the captains that I played under. Initially Dave McPherson, then Tom Spencer, Ron Holmes. Apart from those, just teammates.
Who were some of the well-known cricketers who you came through the system with, and who was the best player coming through the Manly ranks during your juniors?
It depends on what you consider ‘the system’. At high school, Dean Abbey, Nick Johnson and I turned up to a CHS trial at Drummoyne Oval. Mainly, it was an excuse to get a day off school. Similarly to the earlier mentioned Bali trials, I decided to use the same tactics. Everyone (selectors included) followed a similar process. Everyone did have a chance to bat/bowl which was good. No mention of keepers. I approached one of the selectors and asked whether I could keep in the nets. I gloved them well and ended up being selected in the 1st XI. Go figure. Great trip to Newcastle, many stories, and had the pleasure of playing with the likes of Dave Thompson, Peter Devlin, Wayne Seabrook, Paul Clark, Tom Shiner, Ray Balcomb etc. All went on to have significant 1st Grade or State careers. I also played against the Waugh brothers in their very first forays into Grade cricket. Both (obviously being twins) not more than about 12 in a game against Bankstown at Punchbowl Oval. Not sure which one, but I took a catch at leg slip to get rid of one or the other. Boring btw, as neither could get the ball off the square.
The player with the most natural talent was Scott Matthews. Unfortunately, MWDCC never had the opportunity of witnessing him progressing to senior ranks as the family moved to Perth early in his career. He played U/19s for WA but I lost track of him after that.
You debuted for the Waratahs in 1976 at the age of 15. What do you remember about your grade debut?
Absolutely nothing. I am serious. I was too busy concentrating.
What was your top score for Manly?
Sadly, I never scored a 100 for Manly. My best was 97 in (I think) 4th Grade at Cahill Park v St George. Graeme Dudley and I opened, putting on over 100 for the first wicket. We would later do this again (post Grade) on the ‘Park’. I middled one straight back to the bowler.
What do you consider the best innings/spell of bowling from yourself?
Best innings, see above. There is one other than comes to mind. A 3rd or 4th grade game at Ryde Oval v Balmain. We got sent in on a damp green top. The ball was seaming everywhere and leaping off a good length. I somehow managed to score 70 or so in what could be described as one of the all-time ugliest innings ever from a Manly batsman. Dropped at least 3 or 4 times, 5 times as many half chances, 10 times as many plays and misses, boundaries over the keeper’s head. It had it all. So ugly, in fact, that not one of my own teammates acknowledged me when I finally got out.
Bowling-wise, I do have a career average of 13.00 (1 wicket) at Manly. I only started bowling later in my ‘Park’ career with best figures of 6/32. I also bowled a bit when we established a Manly Masters (over 40s) side in the early 2000s.
What do you think your strength was as a cricketer?
Being competitive. Just loved the environment.
Who was the best player at Manly that you played with?
Many great players, but if I must choose one? Phil Marks. I will be catching up with him along with Dean Abbey, Mark Kroschel & Bob Rickey in a few weeks on the Sunshine Coast.
There again, I did once play in a Past vs Present game at Manly Oval. A last moment selection, I ended up on the Past side. Keeping to Peter Philpott was an experience to say the least. I can’t quite remember whether it was a 6 or 8 ball over, yet he bowled a different delivery every single ball, told me so prior, and bowling to Graeme Beard, did not dismiss him but went scoreless. Magic.
I also played in a corporate game at Grahams one year against Sir Garfield Sobers and Rohan Kanhai, and years later against Bob Willis and Mike Denness in England.
What is the best innings/bowling spell you saw at Manly from a fellow player?
Bowling? See above. Although not a long spell, it was eye-opening to me.
Batting? Terry Lee. I totally forget who we were playing. I don’t believe that I ever met him. However, as a very young supporter, I witnessed something very special. There used to be a two-storey home/unit block directly behind the sightscreen at the wharf (southern) end of Manly Oval. Perhaps, two separate units on the 2nd floor, both with slim windows. Terry took both out in the one dig!
Who was the funniest player you played with at Manly and why? Do you have any clean stories you could share with us?
There were so many great characters, all funny in their own way.
Michael Pawley was a different man in those days (you will have to ask him). Bob ‘Six Ball’ Rickey inspecting the Manly pitch late at night, also cleaning up the Manly dressing rooms with his great mate Sam Mesite (again late at night]. Tom ‘Marlon’ Purcell rounding up sheep on the first-floor balcony at the Molong Hotel at one in the morning. Greg ‘Yap Yap’ Davies calling ‘soldiers’ (cap peaks raised, nobody moves after the ball has been bowled) with Barry Rothwell as captain. Ian ‘Macca’ MacDonald responding to captain Ron Holmes about performing warm up laps of Grahams. Dave Packer, quick opening bowler who would respond to a batsman playing and missing (having nearly decapitated him), by following through within about two feet of the batsman, and instead of abusing him would simply burst out laughing without saying a word. It worked.
I have kept it clean.
Who drove the standards at the club during your playing time?
As mentioned before, it was left up to the individual grade captains mostly. There was no communication (no internet/no smart phones) between the players and the club hierarchy. However, legends such as Don ‘Dollars’ Sellin organising the nets roster, Mal ‘Roly’ Elliott running tough (but enjoyable) fielding drills were ever present.
Who was the person/people who really drove the on-field and off-field culture at Manly during your time?
The usual suspects that I have mentioned previously. Mike Pawley, Tom Spencer, Ian Howell, Barry Rothwell, Ron Holmes, Dave MacPherson, Gary Flowers seemed to be the main contributors on-field. Off-field was a different story. I contribute a good percentage of the reasons to our lean trot for collecting silverware to a wide scope of individuals.
Speaking of really driving the club, I haven’t come across too many individuals more driven to see MWDCC excel than Mike Pawley and Andrew Fraser. These two have elevated cricket in the district, making our club one of the most successful and best administered in Australia. Alongside the likes of David Gainsford, Joel Mason, Steve Beatty and others our club is in very safe hands.
Who was the best Captain you played with and why?
Barry Rothwell. Barry had captained the NSW Sheffield Shield side in the middle 1960s, so it was a rare opportunity to be able to play with someone with that level of experience in the game. A strict disciplinarian, I believe that I learned more about the intricacies of the game in those 18 months or so, than I had in the previous 17/18 years. Great bloke too.
Who was someone that you loved to captain/or played with that you loved seeing succeed?
David Gainsford. A funny story, when I first got re-involved with the club via the introduction of the Masters, I recall Gains excitedly telling some other luminary that I was his first ever captain at Manly. At the time, I told him that I didn’t remember him (I lied). However, I had followed his progress in ensuing years, being thrilled with how he had evolved from being a great young enthusiastic leg-spinner to transforming to a lunatic with the new ball in 1st grade. Champion bloke and a fantastic contributor to the club over many years.
Best Nick Name?
Phillip Henry ‘Skid’ Marks. Now there is some conjecture as to how his nickname came about and to who it is attributed. I can dispel any other theories.
I remember like it was yesterday. Either Tuesday or Thursday (unimportant) training at Grahams Reserve. The Marks family had just arrived in the country, and this was his if not first, then second session. There was the usual group of blowflies haranguing poor Donny ‘Dollars’ Sellin to get bumped up the batting list. Everyone had been anticipating the arrival of the talented Zimbabwean. He walked through the gates toward the blowflies. At that moment, there was a player sitting on the bench padding up. The world’s nicest bloke (aka Ken Pitcher) laconically says “g’day Skid”.
What are some of your predictions for Manly in 2024/2025?
It was always going to be tough to top last season’s achievements. Now post-Christmas break, the lower grades have great opportunities ahead. Obviously, one of the off-shoots of being so successful last year is the regular interruptions to the 1st XI of players being called up to representative cricket. It would be great if 1s could string together several wins. Although a way off the lead, the strength of 2s – 5s could give the Club Championship a good crack.
What does your life involve now, and do you keep abreast of how the Waratahs are faring?
Unfortunately, still working. Lynne and I just celebrated our 35th anniversary. Greatly looking forward to our week-long holiday next month on the Sunshine Coast with some Manly stalwarts.
A Blue Blood Member, I love the occasional catch-ups. Also, thanks to Skid there is interaction on the “Old Bastards Reunited” WhatsApp group. Frogbox also gets a workout most weekends.
Do you ever seeing yourself as getting back involved in the club in the future?
I will always be connected one way or another. However, the club is in such great stead that I don’t really think that they need my help.
