Cricket

The early gold miners brought the game of cricket to Ophir, Lucknow and later Blackman's Swamp. From very rough beginnings in 1851, the game developed throughout the west, and Orange fielded a representative team to play matches against towns as far apart as Katoomba & Nevertire. Matches against the Far West towns involved overnight train travel and quite a few matches extended over five days, which always included quite a lot of pre match and after match hospitality !

The game developed in popularity and a local competition was developed between clubs in 1860 and games were played at Moulder's Paddock. On 29 April 1862, Cr. Evans moved a motion that application be made to the Government praying that a sufficient area of ground on the reserve at the South East corner of the township of Orange, be granted and set apart as a Cricket Ground. The motion was seconded by Cr Nicholls and at the Council meeting the motion was adopted and a letter sent by Chairman McKay on 4 August 1862.

This area was eventually named Wade Park in honour of Sir Charles Gregory Wade, former Judge of the Supreme Court, Attorney General, and Member of the Legislative Assembly and Minister for Justice. He was knighted in 1905.

Wade Park is still the headquarters of cricket in Orange today.
Another major cricket ground in Orange is Riawena Oval and within the W H G Trimmer Pavilion at this ground is housed an honour board recording all Office Bearers and Premier teams since the official start of the Orange District Cricket Association in 1911.

Competitions now exist in three senior grades, every junior age group from 8 years to 16 years, a night competition named after Orange's first Test cricketer George Bonnor, a twilight competition for social teams and inter-district competitions in both senior and junior grades under the auspices of the Mitchell Cricket Council.

Any Queries? Contact Sporting Hall of Fame