IN round one of the 2014-15 season, the Orange CYMS Cricket Club notched up a milestone far greater than any ton reached over the course of the club’s 70-year existence.
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Thirteen-year-old Ben Winslade became the 1000th player to don the green and gold colours in the Orange District Cricket Association senior competition, with Winslade debuting in CYMS Fahys’ clash with Orange City in the Centenary Cup earlier this month.
An up-and-coming allrounder who has been “itching to play” this summer with his father Matt, Winslade says becoming the club’s milestone man is a massive achievement.
“It’s a big honour to be the 1000th player with all of the great players that have played before me,” Winslade said.
“A couple of people have said congratulations.”
Tony Kelly, the oldest living CYMS cricketer at the age of 89, was on hand to congratulate Winslade on Wednesday and said the mark was a terrific feat for the club, initially formed back in 1945.
Kelly began playing with CYMS in 1949 after moving from Manildra.
CYMS secretary-treasurer John Covelli has been in charge of accumulating the club’s history after CYMS’ 50th anniversary in 1994-95, when then historical officer Dan Benton began a database for all players.
Covelli said the 1000-mark emerged quickly on the club thanks largely to the new Centenary Cup competition - a format introduced to allow junior cricketers a chance to taste senior cricket.
“We’ve been fielding a heap of young fellas,” Covelli said.
“When you go through the database it gives you a number, we knew it was close, but I didn’t know until I entered his name in there.
“It was after he played or we would have made a bigger note of it on the day.”
Covelli said the fact the mark was reached in the club’s 70th anniversary season made it all-the-more special.
“It’s worked out perfectly for us,” he added.
“All of the boys have been good at training, shaking his hand. It’s good.
“His grandfather was Bernie Thornhill, he’s a CYMS life member in rugby league and played for CYMS cricket club. The Thornhill name is pretty synonymous with CYMS.”