Tim Wright Set to Play 300th Game for MACC on Saturday

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Time Wright and carrying his son Lachlan following his 87* in the 2017-18 Premiership.

The Mont Albert Cricket Club are incredibly pleased to congratulate club legend and life member Tim Wright who will this week play his 300th senior game for the club. What a fantastic achievement.

This also coincides with our 2009-10 Dunstan Premiership 10 Year Reunion on Saturday the 11/01 at 12:30pm.

Wrighty commenced at Mont Albert Cricket Club as a junior player (in our U12s) in 1990 and was quickly playing seniors (alongside his father Jack) as a 13 year old.  By the age of 16, Tim was a regular in our First XI and he has since made in excess of 8000 senior runs (mostly opening the batting in the first XI) for the club.

Tim’s list of achievements are unrivaled and his record not only places him as one of Mont Albert’s greats, but as a great of the Eastern Cricket Association.

  • He is a four time First XI (Dunstan Shield) Premiership Player, carrying his bat (in successful run chases) for 93* as captain in 2009-10 and 87* in 2017/18.  He also contributed 56 as a 19yo in 1997/98 and 32 in a 75 run opening stand (on one leg we might add) in 2012/13.
  • He is a 6 time winner of the first XI batting average at Mont Albert (2006-07, 2007-08, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2013-14, 2017-18)
  • He was first XI captain from season 2008-09 until 2011-12 during which time he captained a first XI premiership (2009-10)
  • He is a Millard Medalist (best player in the Dunstan Shield grand final) as premiership captain in 2009-10 where he carried his bat for 93*
  • He is a Dunstan Medalist (best player in Dunstan Shield) – 2017/18
  • He has been named in the Dunstan Shield team of the year on multiple occasions
  • He was named in the Dunstan Shield team of the decade (2000-2009)
  • He has twice topped the Association batting average in Dunstan Shield
  • He is a Dave Dickie Medalist (best U16 player in the ECA)
  • He is a 2 time winner of our Garnie-King award (1st XI champion player) –  both in premiership years
  • He was awarded life membership of the Mont Albert Cricket Club in 2011-12

Tim Wright in action in December 2019 at Mont Albert Reserve – Image Credit: Peter Knox

Tim has made 9 centuries in the first XI (the most in the club’s history), including 5 against Canterbury CC, and 44 half centuries for the club. He has made 8191 runs at an average of 30.00, with a highest score of 144.  He has also taken 62 wickets at an average of 20.77 with best figures of 6/27 (a game he played with both his brother and father).

Club statistician Jeff Mollison recently recounted a particularly critical moment in the club’s history, of which Tim was a significant part of

“In season 1994/95 we played Richmond City away at KB sporting complex in round 12 in a match to avoid relegation from the top grade for the first time in the club’s history. Before tea we found ourselves in all sorts of trouble at 7/40. Tim as a 16 year old was joined by John O’Loughlin. They put on 52 before John was dismissed for the 2nd highest score of 22. Tim was next out for an excellent top score of 51 at 9/127. We went on to make 137 off 73.5 overs. Tim’s fine innings of 51 enabled us to win the match by 6 runs and avoid relegation. Three seasons later the club won their first senior premiership in 32 seasons, of which Tim was a big part of.”

Jeff went on to admit that Noel King’s 7/48 also contributed to the victory, but noted that “Tim and Noel, probably the best 2 players at the club over the last 25 years, got Mont Albert home.”

Beyond the stats and on-field achievements, Wrighty is a fantastic Mont Albert person. He is well respected by his teammates and opponents, both as a player and as a bloke. He has served on the committee (including holding the role of Vice President), acted as Saturday Cricket Manager and is first to put his hand up to assist the club in any capacity needed. He has also assisted in the development of countless developing cricketers at MACC, ensuring his knowledge and skills are passed on to future generations of the club. The Wright family name is synonymous with the Mont Albert Cricket Club with Tim’s father Jack and brother Jimmy also fantastic clubmen and people.

We are extremely lucky to have someone like Wrighty at Mont Albert Cricket Club.  Congratulations from all at MACC on 300 magnificent games.

Please come along to celebrate this fantastic milestone on Saturday the 11/01.

 

Thanks to Greg Cull for writing the bulk of this article and to Jeff Mollison for the insightful memories.