A view of Australia from fine leg – let the adventure begin

The light bulb went off about 12 months ago as I was watching Mrs D mow the lawns (I have hayfever, don’t judge me). Why don’t I strap the cricket pads on again next year and play 10 games of cricket across Australia, for a new club each week, and then write the stories. Piece of piss I thought. Most astute judges would have diagnosed a mid-life-crisis on the spot.

 

My cricketing mates think it is a desperate ploy to boost a poor career batting average of 14.86.

 

A view of Australia from fine leg was born – A worldwide first of an individual strapping on the pads and playing for 10 different cricket clubs across Australia in the one unique cricket season. As part of the project I will be raising funds for Men’s Mental Health Foundation Gotcha4Life (www.Gotcha4Life.org). The Foundation raises awareness of the importance of identifying a close friend in your life, someone you can speak to openly and honestly to when times are tough.

 

This project would simply not have been possible without the Almanac. Firstly, I only started writing 8 years ago when I stumbled upon the Almanac by chance. The advice, support and mateship of Harmsy and everyone at the Almanac has given me the confidence to give this a crack.

 

I’ve also roped in a number of the Almanac community to pull this together. My first game was at the Pomborneit Cricket Club last Saturday, where I was skippered by the Almanac’s own Luke Reynolds. Plenty of other Almanackers will also feature along the journey.

 

If you are interested in following the adventure, please have a read of my piece on the Pomborneit Match at my blog:

 

Match 1 – Pomborneit Cricket Club, Saturday 19 October 2019

 

I am also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/fromfineleg and twitter @fromfineleg

 

Wish me luck!!

 

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About craig dodson

Born in the sporting mecca that is Wagga Wagga and now reside in Melbourne with my lovelly wife Sophie and son's Jack and Harry. Passionate Swans supporter and formally played cricket at a decent level and Aussie Rules at a not so decent level! Spend my days now perfecting my slice on the golf course and the owner of the worlds worst second serve on the tennis course.

Comments

  1. Luke Reynolds says

    Craig, thank you so much for choosing the Pomborneit CC to start your journey. Sorry about the weather we put on!!

    Was a wonderful day, you and your family are welcome back at Pomborneit anytime! Good luck for the next 9 games.

  2. Wondering where to put Dodson on the “Cricket’s Greatest Allrounders” scale for sponsorship purposes. Coca Cola paid Sir Garfield Sobers $1 a run and $10 a wicket when he came to South Australia in the mid 60’s. I note that Dodson’s career average of 14.94 is only 85 short of Bradman.
    Where do Knackers place Dodson on the Sobers scale?

  3. Mark 'Swish' Schwerdt says

    You’ll struggle to top that afternoon Craig, but I’ll enjoy following your exploits. I hope MyCricket can keep up.

  4. Great stuff Craig looking forward to your involvement at Payneham CC on November 16 geez with that bloody,Reynolds bloke would earn his keep.Seriously what a magnificent effort by Luke and yourself.
    Pomborneit CC have set the bar extremely high !

  5. This is a fantastic initiative, Craig. Congrats.
    I look forward to reading of your progress.

    And if you require another club for any reason, I am sure Williamstown CYMS CC would accommodate you.

  6. Craig- a magnificent concept. And your website’s a treat. I wish you well and look forward to following your progress. Love a yarn about a peripatetic cricketer.

  7. A great concept, Craig, and well done to the clubs lined up to host you in the coming months. After a cold start, I’ll look forward to hearing about you fielding on a day when it’s 40C in the shade – thus Nature balances itself. At the end of it all, I’m sure you’ll be able to put out a better book than those egregious ‘Captain’s Tour’ types we were subjected to for far too long. (A good education for the kids, too.)

  8. craig dodson says

    Thanks for the kind wishes and interest everyone. Game 2 next week at Lake Albert cc in Wagga. A club that has seen the greats Mark Taylor, Geoff Lawson and Michael Slater pull on the whites.

  9. Nathan Brookes says

    Just wanted to say on behalf ofLake Albert Cricket Club, it was an honour to have an old Bull come back and join the ranks for the week, especially for such a great cause. You and the family are welcome back anytime.

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