Australian Cricket Society

The Australian Cricket Society was established in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1967.[1] It is a fraternity of cricket lovers with branches in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania. The Society promotes the spirit and values of the game of cricket through meetings, dinners and film nights. As of 2016 Ricky Ponting serves as patron.[1]

Activities

Guest speakers at its Annual Dinners come from the 'Who's Who' of the cricketing world. Down through the years, they've included Sir Donald Bradman, Lindsay Hassett, Bill Lawry and more recently, Ian Healy, Dean Jones, Damien Fleming, Justin Langer and Barry Richards.[2] The Society supports youth and grassroots cricket through its Young Cricketer (male and female) and sponsorship of emerging talent through the Elite Cricket Academy.[2]

Publications

Each summer the Society publishes its flagship magazine, Pavilion, edited by Ken Piesse - a quality 48-page production with articles by renowned cricket writers and a forum for members and friends. The Society keeps its members informed through Scoresheet - a quarterly news bulletin edited by Doug Manning.

Jack Pollard Trophy

In order to encourage cricket writing in Australia, in 1984 Jack Pollard donated a trophy to be awarded by the Australian Cricket Society to the author of the best Australian cricket book published over the previous 12 months.[3][2] It is sometimes called the Jack Pollard Literary Award.[4]

YearWinning authorTitle
1984Michael PageBradman: The Illustrated Biography
1985Richard Cashman'Ave a Go, Yer Mug!: Australian Cricket Crowds from Larrikin to Ocker
1986Phil DerrimanTrue to the Blue: A History of the New South Wales Cricket Association
1987Chris HarteThe History of the Sheffield Shield
1988Jack McHargStan McCabe: The Man and His Cricket
1989Chris HarteTwo Tours and Pollock: The Australians in South Africa 1985–87
1990Richard CashmanThe "Demon" Spofforth
1991Mike CowardCricket Beyond the Bazaar
1994Gideon HaighThe Cricket War: The Inside Story of Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket
1995Mike CowardAustralia vs the New South Africa: Cricket Contact Renewed
1998Gideon HaighThe Summer Game: Australian Test Cricket 1949–71
2000Gideon HaighMystery Spinner: The Story of Jack Iverson
2002Gideon HaighThe Big Ship: Warwick Armstrong and the Making of Modern Cricket
2003Mike Colman and Ken EdwardsEddie Gilbert: The True Story of an Aboriginal Cricketing Legend
2004Max BonnellHow Many More Are Coming?: The Short Life of Jack Marsh
2006Alf BatchelderPavilions in the Park: A History of the Melbourne Cricket Club and its Ground
2008Gideon Haigh and David FrithInside Story: Unlocking Australian Cricket's Archives
2010Alf BatchelderHugh Trumble: A Cricketer's Life
2011Rick SmithBlighted Lives: The Story of Harry and Albert Trott
2012Max Bonnell and Andrew SproulTibby Cotter: Fast Bowler, Larrikin, Anzac
2013Gideon HaighOn Warne
2014No award
2015Daniel BrettigWhitewash to Whitewash: Australian Cricket's Years of Struggle and Summer of Riches
2016Elliot Cartledge and Tim LaneChasing Shadows: The Life and Death of Peter Roebuck
2017Gideon HaighStroke of Genius: Victor Trumper and the Shot That Changed Cricket[4]
2018Denis BrienAll the Kings' Men: A History of the Hindmarsh Cricket Club[5]

Veterans cricket

The Melbourne branch of the Society plays up to 30 friendly games a season for over-40- over 60 and even 70-year-old cricketers. The Society is a founding member of Veterans Cricket Victoria.[6] The Society competed as a stand-alone team at Australian Over 60s Cricket Championships from 2006 to 2016. Many of its players have been selected in Victorian and Australian veterans teams in recent years.

The Society participates in Golden Oldies and Vintage Cricket carnivals around the world. The Society welcomes interest from like-minded overseas touring teams visiting Australia.

References
  1. "About ACS". Australian Cricket Society. 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  2. "Awards & Speakers". Australian Cricket Society. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  3. The Oxford Companion to Australian Cricket, Oxford, Melbourne, 1996, p. 423.
  4. "Haigh wins sixth Jack Pollard Literary Award". Books + Publishing. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  5. "SA Cricketing Book Wins Jack Pollard Trophy". Glam Adelaide. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  6. "VCV: Home". Veterans Cricket Victoria. Retrieved May 24, 2016.


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