Growing up in the New England region, Rick McCosker played junior cricket against Guyra and other surrounding towns.
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Now, to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the 1977 Centenary Test, McCosker is returning to his hometown of Inverell on Saturday night to speak about his career.
“I didn’t realise it was the 40th anniversary coming up, but when I was contacted, it jogged my memory that it is 40 years ago, which is a long time,” Rick said.
Now living in Newcastle, Rick left Inverell shortly before his 21st birthday.
He had played all his junior cricket in the area, and recalled playing against cricketers from Guyra, Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Armidale and Walcha.
“I’m really looking forward to going back, and hopefully meeting up with a few of the old guys that I played with and against.
“One of the things that I try to do wherever possible is just give back a little bit to the game that’s been so good to me.”
Rick started a business in financial planning and insurance while he was playing cricket.
“When I retired from first class cricket I concentrated on that business, up until about 2010.”
About 18 months after he retired, Rick was offered a position as Catholic chaplain to the Port of Newcastle.
“Newcastle has a very busy coal port, it’s the biggest coal port in the world actually, and part of my work there was to do whatever we could for the seafarers who come in off the cargo vessels. “They’re from various countries, mostly Asian countries, and we have a mission centre in Newcastle, and we would get a couple of busses and get the seafarers and bring them into town, where they could contact their families, go shopping, and just basically get off the ship.”
Rick worked as the chaplain for about four years, and is still involved as a volunteer, along with his wife Meryl.
He also involved with cricket charity groups.
One of those groups is Lord’s Taverners, and Rick is patron of the Newcastle branch.
“We do a lot of work raising funds and supporting young cricketers, and giving disadvantaged people a chance to play sport, particularly cricket.
“And we are fairly closely supporting an intellectually disabled team that is centred around Newcastle,” Rick explained.
It is indeed a life well lived, and one we could all be proud of.
He’s had a lot to rejoice and cherish in a long life.
But for many the mere mention of Rick McCosker brings up one of the most iconic cricket images, one that has become synonymous, not just with cricket toughness, but an image of Aussie true-grit and mateship. You do what you have to do for them.
What Rick McCosker did, was perhaps today, unthinkable.
And it’s perhaps explains why “Captain Grumpy”, Allan Border, was critical of new young Australian opener Matt Renshaw leaving the crease to attend the little boys’ room in India two weeks ago.
A young Allan Border would have had the image of McCosker ingrained.
So, for those too young, what did McCosker do?
The 1977 Centenary Test was one of the truly great Tests, for so many reasons.
Here’s just a snapshot.
It was won, by Australia, by 45 runs. The same result as the first ever Test between the old foe and Australia.
David Hookes, who had just scored five tons in six innings in 17 days in domestic cricket was rushed into the team touted as the new “Bradman” from South Australia.
The excitement around the 21 year-old continued when he hit Tony Greig for five consecutive boundaries.
Dennis Lillee, the great Australia quick, bowling with a body that tried to throw in the towel but was driven on by fierce pride and will, took 11 wickets and was chaired off by his team mates. It’s a powerful image: Lillee so stuffed he couldn’t raise a smile and who acknowledged his mates and the crowd with a weary wave.
And even he, was outdone by the perky, pixie-like figure of the Englishman, Derek Randall.
Randall made 174 in the second innings. His innings was highlighted by superb cover drives and an impish devel-may-care attitude which bemused and frustrated Australia.
It was highlighted by a searing Lillee bouncer which whizzed past Randall’s nose.
The imp tried to sway out of harm’s way, the ball followed and he fell backwards as the the ball reared closer.
The fall turned into a roll as he hit the deck. He jumped up like a Jack-in-the-box and doffed his cap to Lillee, to Lillee! Was he mad? What do they say about mad dogs and Englishmen?
And for all the heroics and standout performances, including a ton from Lillee’s partner-in-pommie-torture, Rod Marsh, the enduring image is of Rick McCosker, his face looking like mooshed up rockmelon wrapped up bandages left over from a production of The Mummy.
And lodged on top? A skew-iff baggy green.
Helmets weren’t to come into the game for a year or more after.
The Test had begun disastrously for the Aussies and Rick McCosker.
He played too early, missed a bouncer from Bob Willis which cannoned into his jaw breaking it in two places.
While the Poms rejoiced, McCosker was on hands and knees holding his face, spitting out blood.
McCosker was to return five days later, in those bandages. Even his mate Rod Marsh told him he should head back to the shed.
Instead McCosker faced up to Lever who welcomed him with another bouncer. Everyone at the MCG knew it was coming. All those who watched in their lounge rooms around Australia knew it was coming. Even the passing truck driver heading to Wangaratta with his radio on new it was coming.
It went to the boundary for four, the crowd booed, then cheered and then sang Waltzing McCosker.
He and Marsh put on 52. Australia won by 45.
It stirred the soul of cricket fans world-wide
Richard Bede McCosker played in 25 Tests and 14 One Day Internationals in a career spanning from 1975 to 1982.
In today’s year-long schedule he would have played almost 100 Tests. In an era of no helmets, smaller bats and larger ovals and unlimited short balls and the West Indians, his average of 39 would have been higher.
He was an unassuming player and is an unassuming, humble man .
He has always downplayed his performance pointing to the legends, Lillee Marsh, Hookes…
We only wish there were more of him today.
He’s a true success story of the country boy made good, not just on the cricket ovals of the world, but in the larger playing field of life.
To you Rick McCosker we doff our hat.