Alex Ranson

Alex played with the North West Mooroopna club during the Tatura Association years before joining Tatura with its entry into the KDCA.

 

Alex was an opening batsmen and opening bowler when he joined the club and made an immediate impact both on and off the field. His playing record listed below would do justice to any career. However Alex also compiled an equally impressive record with the Cooma Cricket Club including a Life Membership at that club.

 

There is no doubt that he would hold the record for the number of A grade games played in the KDCA, over 35 seasons of A Grade cricket would ensure that was the case.

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Apart from capturing the bowling and batting trophies numerous times, he also served the club for over 10 years in various capacities including President for five seasons. Alex also coached the club in the early eighties. 

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Alex was made Life Member just prior to 72/73 season as the presentation night for the 71/72 season wasn’t held until just prior to the next season.

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Alex’s thoughts on the best players he has seen and memorable moments around the club are below.

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I can go back to the Jack King, Tuxy Corrigan and Jack Lockwood days, and the old Tatura Association and the entry into the KDCA. But to compare the Kings and Lockwoods of my early years, to the Glovers, Forsters, Pykes, Callows, McPhersons and Hamiltons of that golden era with the Millers and Watts of today would be an injustice.

The conditions we play under today have greatly changed. The wickets and grounds have become much better, while the coaching has improved the techniques of all the players coming through. Cricketers today are much more professional and scientific in their approaches to the game. In fact the game has changed dramatically in my 46 years of playing senior cricket.

One memory that is still vivid in my mind is that first KDCA premiership win. We were behind on the first innings and never given a chance of winning, but history was in the making as Alan Glover and I each claimed 5 wickets to bowl Tongala out for under 50 runs. Jack Forster took three spectacular catches in the slips in the second innings. We had no celebrations organised, (in fact we were invited to the Tongala celebrations) but after the game it was all players back to my house in Pyke St. where many left only when the sun came up next morning.

 

Another memory of Tat. in the years of yesterday... I had the privilege to Captain one of the best teams Tat. has put on the field. I cannot remember the year with certainty (it was 84/85) but it was the one when Loveless, Fielding, "Ping" Johnson and Rod Kilmartin were together. We won every match during the season and on the last day Kyabram conceded the premiership cup before stumps. We were by far the best team in the KDCA that year.