Russ notches 400 senior games

RUSSELL White began playing cricket for Outtrim when he was just 12 years old and notched his 400th game for the Outtrim Moyarra Kongwak (OMK) seniors on Saturday, December 7. 

Showing his talent on the day as a decent batsman and bowler, Russell made a solid 35 runs and took 1/17 for C1, playing against Korumburra.

Final scores on the day were OMK 6/175 to Korumburra 10/95. 

Russell has also played over 60 junior games, so is likely getting close to 500 games of cricket altogether.

“As a 12-year-old you’re just keen to play cricket and it just keeps on going from there I suppose.”

He followed his dad around playing cricket and it became a way of life for Russell, whose family now support him at most games.  

“Dad played about 250 or 300 games at Outtrim as well, so he was there. You just keep on rolling, you go cruising with Dad and you come through the system.”

“It’s a good family club, and that’s why I’m probably still there,” said Russell who has also been President of the club for about 17 years.  

Winning back-to-back Premierships in 2013/14 when he was Captain of the B Grade is a stand-out memory from over the years for Russell, as well as the year he made a 100 in a losing grand final.

“It was good to get a hundred, but it was disappointing to lose,” Russell remembers.  

The best bowler Russell reckons he has come up against over the years is Scott Wiliams from Wonthaggi. 

“He used to get me out,” laughs Russell.

While the best batsman he’s faced as a bowler is Craig Harvey from Wonthaggi. 

“He was hard to get out, used to whack you around.”

On the same day that 

Russell played his 400th game, he came up against rival Darren Scott who was playing his 350th game for Korumburra. 

“It’s quite funny actually, Darren used to coach me in the under 18’s footy, and then he played his 350th on the same day. We’ve been good mates since Under 17’s footy and (there’s) a bit of rivalry between us and Korumburra and we stir each other up a bit.”

Does Russell think Darren is any good at cricket?

“He’s only a hack,” laughed Russell. 

The mateship with teammates is the best part of the game for Russell and he doesn’t know how many, but he reckons he’s got a few more games left in him yet. 

“I don’t know. The body is starting to feel it, but I still enjoy playing.

“I don’t know about another few hundred but, I’ll just keep rolling and see how the years tick by.”