Life Memberships and legacies recognised at Cricket NSW AGM

The members of Cricket NSW were thanked for their incredible support of our sport throughout the State including the very strong NSW Premier Cricket and Country cricket competitions. 

Bob Simpson AO’s immense contribution to the game was acknowledged by Cricket NSW Chairman John Knox. Simpson passed away in August, aged 89.  

During a decorated career as a player, captain and coach with NSW and Australia, Simpson laid the foundations for a period of sustained success in Australian cricket. He was a Cricket NSW Life Member and is honoured in Cricket NSW Hall of Fame and the NSW Team of 150 years. 

The Honourable Margaret Beazley AO KC was reappointed Patron-in-Chief, with The Hon. John Howard OM AC and Basil Sellers AM returning as Vice Patrons. Mr Sellers was also presented with a gift to mark his 90th birthday and celebrate his ongoing contribution to growing cricket in NSW.  

Retiring board members Ed Cowan, Courtenay Smith and Richard Timbs were all re-elected to the CNSW Board of Directors, while John Knox and David Gallop were reappointed as Board Appointed Directors. 

A successful 2024-25 season was acknowledged including the following highlights: 

• The Breakers won the Ruth Preddey Cup, awarded to the Women’s National Cricket League champion, for a record 21st time. 

• Sydney Thunder reached the BBL|14 Final, while both the Sydney Sixers BBL and Sydney Thunder WBBL teams qualified for the finals series. 

• The Blues narrowly missed the final of both the Sheffield Shield and Dean Jones Trophy. 

• An 11% increase in 5–12-year-olds choosing to play cricket – a 50% increase over the last two years. 

• Almost 170,000 total participants across NSW – an increase of 3% from last season. 

• Record membership numbers for both the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder. 

• An operating surplus. 

• Continued development of Cricket Central. 

Blackwell was celebrated as one of Australia’s most accomplished cricketers with election as a Life Member at the meeting. Her advocacy, leadership and resilience across an 18-year playing career, and subsequent service on the Cricket NSW Board, has left an indelible mark on the game. 

In an 18-year career with the NSW Breakers, Blackwell won 13 Women’s National Cricket League titles, including seven as captain, and was the leading run-scorer for the state during this period. She also captained Sydney Thunder to the inaugural Women’s Big Bash League title in 2015. 

At international level, Blackwell played 251 matches for Australia across all three formats, scoring over 5,000 runs and winning five World Cups. This included representing her country alongside identical twin sister Kate, winning the 2005 Women’s Cricket World Cup together. 

Fast bowler Len Pascoe, known as the heart and soul of the NSW team whenever he took the field during his decade-long First-Class career in the 1970s and 80s, was also recognised with Life Membership. 

Born Len Durtanovich to parents of Yugoslavian descent, Pascoe made his name in the Sydney cricket scene as a fearsome quick, before going on to claim 203 wickets in 54 First Class matches for NSW, with best figures of 8-41. This included 24 wickets in the Blues’ 1982-83 Sheffield Shield winning campaign. 

Pascoe also represented Australia in 14 Tests and 29 ODIs, claiming 117 international wickets, while he also thrived in the hostile environment of World Series Cricket as a key figure in the Australian XI. He was NSW coach for a single season in 1987/88. 

The Hon. Kevin Greene AM’s outstanding service to cricket in NSW was also recognised through the conferral of Life Membership. 

Greene’s exceptional off-field leadership has seen him shape the future of cricket from NSW Parliament as Member for Georges River (1999-2007) and Oatley (2007-2011) including as Minister for Sports and Recreation, as President of the St George Cricket Club for the past 18 years and a Cricket NSW Board member for 13 years. 

He was awarded an AM in 2023 for his significant service to NSW Parliament, local government and the community, where he has actively inspired people of all ages to play and love the game.