(By Tom Wood – Club Historian)
On 26th August 2024 former First Grade middle-order batsman Norm Lockhart passed away.
The 1950s during which Norm played First Grade with Cumberland (Parramatta) was one of the club’s golden eras, the senior team finished runners-up in 1952/53, 1953/54 (he was a member of the team both seasons) and 1955/56, and his teammates included several club luminaries such as Richie Benaud, Ron James, Wilf Ewens, Wally Cornock, Jack Treanor and Bert Alderson.
Norm’s career span with the ‘two-blues’ stretched from the 1943/44 season through to 1953/54, over that interlude the stylish right-handed middle-order batsman with the flowing cover drive and neat clip of his legs, in all grades, compiled 2,895 runs @ 24.33 (H.S. – 108*) – a fine effort in the time of uncovered wickets, full fields and no protective helmets. He was also celebrated as splendid boundary fieldsman and was a well-respected and liked teammate.
In his early seasons with the club, he tended to fluctuate between second and third grade until he produced a breakthrough batting performance in the 1947/48 Third Grade Premiership winning team captained by Alfred Hall. He topped the run scoring tally with an impressive 502 runs @ 38.80 – this featured innings of 108* v. Mosman, 101 v. Glebe and 94* v. St. George; and he also shared fine 4th wicket partnership of 154 v. Glebe with Bruce Urry. Norm’s impressive form during this season placed him on an upward projection path towards future First Grade selection.
He debuted in First Grade in 1949/50, and he stayed a key member of that team until his retirement in 1953/54. During his First Grade career he fashioned a very satisfactory 1,318 runs @ 28.04 (H.S. – 93*). His batting highlights over this period were the following weighty partnerships; 1951/52 – 190 for the 6th wicket v. Northern District with Richie Benaud, and 135 for the 5th wicket v. Mosman with Bruce Ritchie; 1953/54 – 118 for the 4th wicket v. Waverley with Bert Alderson
Norm Lockhart was selected in the Parramatta District Cricket Club’s ‘Team of the 1950s.’ He was Parramatta’s First Grade Player No. 312.
Norm’s son Steve followed in his father’s footsteps and played for the club – he was fine opening batsman who was partnered by Mike Wood in the 1968/69 A.W. Green Shield team, and they again paired up between 1969/70 and 1971/72 in Parramatta’s Third and Fourth Grade teams.
Norm Lockhart’s Career Statistics:
Vale Norm Lockhart.
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