knox grammar school

A common theme throughout these Old Boys’ recollections is that Knox Cricket was fun.

Recent graduate Daniel Hardyman (OKG20) captained both Cricket as a sport and the Knox 1st XI, also representing the School in the CAS 1st XI.

"I feel like I was definitely a very relaxed captain," he says.

"I was out on the field just having a laugh with the guys, making sure that everyone's actually having fun out there and, you know, just enjoying it, which is the main reason everyone's there – to enjoy it."

It’s a principle that he applies to every arena, believing that it is key to self-improvement.

"You’ve got to enjoy what you do, work, sport, all that. Just as long as you're going out there, putting in some effort and listening to coaches’ advice as well, just having the time to ask some questions – 'how can I work on my game?' – that sort of thing, and then working on it and putting the effort in."

That enjoyment is something echoed by Bruce Wood OAM (OKG74), who has made a career out of the sport.

As an umpire, Bruce has officiated more than 750 matches and in 2022 was awarded an OAM for services to cricket.

He says that, with his twin brother, Steve, a love of the game developed early.

"In 1965-66 the English cricket team came out to play the Ashes and my father took my twin brother and I out to the SCG, in the Members Stand, and we were completely enthralled by the whole atmosphere of Ashes cricket.

"We thought, this is just such a cool game and it's so different to the backyard cricket we had played."

Bruce said that arriving at Knox was the first time the twins had played 'structured' cricket "with a coach and a team and they scored the matches".

While at the School, Bruce played for the top teams from the age of 10 and received the Cricket Prize for Fielding and School Colours in 1974.

"People who don't like cricket don't understand what it’s like to bowl someone out, or to hit a four or six, it’s such a high. And to do it repeatedly and to have a common team goal to win a game, which might be against an archrival like Barker or Cranbrook, it’s pretty cool."

Since leaving school, Bruce’s passion has remained just as strong. Over the years, he has held various coaching and umpiring positions across the state and in 2023 founded the Australia-India Women’s Cricket Association.

"One thing I want to say is thank you to Knox, as I've made a life out of cricket and none of this would have happened without the start I got at Knox from 1967 onwards, and I think that's really important."

These interviews were conducted by the Knox Heritage Centre, and Bruce Wood OAM (OKG74) as part of the School's Oral History program.