Growing up in the New England region, Rick McCosker played junior cricket against Armidale 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.
McCosker played in 25 Tests and 14 One Day Internationals in a career spanning from 1975 to 1982.
He is best remembered for batting in second innings of the Centenary Test, after he had his jaw broken in the first innings.
“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,” McCosker said.
Now living in Newcastle, many years have passed since Rick left Inverell shortly before his 21st birthday.
Growing up, he had played all his junior cricket in the area, and recalled playing against cricketers from Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Armidale, Guyra 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,” he said.
“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.”
Since retiring from cricket, he has run his own financial planning and insurance business, and also worked as a Catholic chaplain for the Port of Newcastle, assisting seafarers on coal ships.
He is 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.”
The event, An Evening With Rick McCosker will be held at the Inverell RSM Club.
Tickets for the evening may be obtained from Inverell RSM and Inverell Tourist Information Centre at $20 per person.