Mel O'Neil: 100 not out

Host David Baird sits down with club legend Mel O’Neil, who shares his memories of the club’s formative years in the 1940s and 50s. Mel recounts his journey from a resolute lower-grade batsman to First Grade captain, and his 20 years as Secretary and WACA delegate. It’s a story of grassroots loyalty and administration, and how one man’s dedication helped turn a struggling local team into a district club that produced Test cricketers.

In this episode

• 0:03 Introducing Mel O’Neil, a foundational figure of the Bassendean Bayswater Cricket Club
• 1:08 Joining the club during World War II, and rising from the thirds to First Grade by resolving never to get out
• 4:51 Surviving WACA team reductions, and Mel’s refusal to leave the club despite offers from rivals
• 7:05 Partnering with Bayswater and moving to the high-quality wicket at Hillcrest Reserve in the early 1960s
• 10:02 Using the rulebook to claim a forfeit win when Midland failed to provide stumps in time
• 11:06 District cricket and junior development, which stopped rival clubs poaching the best young players
• 12:32 A thrilling one-run win over North Perth, who collapsed needing two runs with five wickets in hand
• 19:31 The struggles and eventual triumph of Bob Massie, the club’s first Test player, and Mel’s advocacy to get him into the state side
• 21:12 Touring regional Western Australia, and managing the state team in the days of budget train travel

Quotes

“I made up my mind then I was never, ever going to get out, so they would have to promote me, and that’s what I did.”

“I said, Bassendean is, I live in Bassendean. I’m not leaving Bassendean.”

“My ambition was so that players could get to, first of all, into the state side and then into the test side.”