1885 – 1900

Grange Cricket Club was formed at a meeting in the Grange Railway Station building on Friday evening of 14 August 1885. During this period, the club played organised social games, generally about 20 – 25 games per year and were one-day matches. In an age where people had a smaller range of leisure activities than in more modern times, there matches were great social affairs as well as keen sporting contests. The lack of transport facilities and distant venues for many games meant that match days were very long days indeed – mostly with a real picnic trip atmosphere. The Grange team also occasionally played matches on Adelaide’s No. 1 ground – Adelaide Oval. By the end of the 1890s, Grange had established itself as one of the State’s leading non-associated clubs.

1900 – 1914

The first decade of the 1900s saw significant changes at the club – both in its playing membership and in the number of games played. The early 1900s saw the retirement of many of the club’s leading players of the 1890s and the club being forces into recess through the lack of players, for the first time in its history. However, the club found itself in even greater difficulties between 1912 and 1914, when it again went into recess. A meeting held in September 1914 saw the club reformed, with dark blue chosen as the club’s colour. The Grange Cricket Club was back in action!

1914 – 1944

The years after 1914 were very important, but often very difficult ones for the club. An historic break from playing only social cricket, the effects of World War I and financial uncertainty all combined to make for very colourful years at Grange. The 1916/17 season saw the club admitted to the Adelaide and Suburban Association after 31 years of social cricket. Unfortunately however, the club was unable to capitalise immediately on its experience gained in its first years of competition. Its chances of beginning to build a long competitive history were dashed when the club was again forced into recess between 1917 and 1919 when WWI brought an end to cricket. Although reformed for the 1919/20 season, it was another 12 years before Grange Cricket Club had developed significantly enough to rejoin the Adelaide and Suburban Association. The 1919/20 season also saw other changes – notably leaving its old ground in Beach Street and moving to the current location at the Grange Recreation Reserve. In 1931, the club joined the Adelaide and Suburban Association and won its first premiership (in No. 2 section) in 1936/37. This saw the club reinstated to No. 1 section. As with WWI, the Second World War caused difficulties for the club and it was yet again forced into recess for the duration (1941 – 44). Club player Lance Odlum had an extraordinary 1932/33 season, scoring 1059 runs at 88.25 average and took 44 wickets. This run aggregate still stands as a club and association record.

1944 – 1960

After the effects of WW2, the club was reformed in August 1944 and from this point has never looked back, beginning to lay the foundation for a long and successful future. The club quickly re-established itself as a playing force, by creating a second side (B Team) in 1945/46, laying a new concrete pitch in 1949, and constructing new clubrooms in 1952. These all played a major role in Grange’s rise in the Adelaide and Suburban Association competition. Grange was promoted back to first division for the 1946/47 season and this was the start of a long run in top grade, until it joined the Adelaide Turf Association in 1966. In a very successful 1951/52 season, Grange scored its first double premiership with both A and B grades finishing top.

1960 – 1966

In the seasons between 1960 and 1966, Grange Cricket Club took advantage of the settled years since the club’s reformation. Barry Fry returned from West Torrens District Club for 1960/61 and this was the first of his record 13 seasons as A Grade captain. Barry’s leadership between 1960 and 1966 played an important part in the team’s great success in later years. As the club continued to grow in numbers and stature, a third team was formed in 1962 and a fourth in 1965. The 1965/66 season was an important one because it saw the start of success in junior grades – which ultimately played a big part in future successes in senior grades. In 1962, new clubrooms were constructed and the “Cyril Baxter Hall” was opened in November, in recognition of Cyril’s magnificent service to the local community in general – and for the Grange Cricket Club in particular. Cyril Baxter – the legend. Cyril’s love affair with the Grange Cricket Club began in January 1926 and few realised how enormous his contribution would be. Cyril served the club for 49 years, until his death in 1975. He was on the club’s management committee for an amazing 39 seasons between 1929 and 1975. Cyril was actively involved in the social side of the club, his great ability and untiring efforts in fundraising continuing for many years.

1966 – 2000

In June 1965, the concrete pitch was removed from the Grange Oval and a turf wicket laid. The years since 1966 have been the club’s turf years, beginning with 3 consecutive A Grade premierships under Barry Fry’s captaincy. For the 1966/67 season, the A and B teams were admitted to the Adelaide Turf Association, while C and D teams were admitted the following year. A fifth team (E grade) was admitted in 1971/72 and a sixth team (F Grade) in 1975/76.

Sponsorship – a new development for the club, had its beginnings in 1976, and in 1977 the club had its first major sponsor. Lim’s Restaurant of Glenelg has been the club’s major sponsor since 1990. Grange Cricket Club celebrated its Centenary year in 1985 – a celebration which included the launching of the club’s history book “From Saltbush to Turf”. During the 1990s decade, Grange Cricket Club won 11 premierships, covering junior and senior grades. The 1993/94 season saw the introduction of the Limited Overs One Day division in Adelaide Turf and the Grange team, captained by Des Fry competed in the six grand finals to 1999 – and ultimately won two premierships. From 1998 to 2001, the club fielded 10 teams each week – six senior sides and four junior teams.

2000 – 2010

The first decade of the 21st century was a sensational time for the club which took out a total of 33 premierships throughout the grades during this period. The A team played in 9 Premier Grade Grange Finals, winning 5 premierships (4 of them consecutively), losing two and having two Grand Final games abandoned due to wet weather. The As also won two Brock Partners Premierships in the 50 over competition and three premierships in the Turf 20s Cup competition. The juniors also enjoyed a great deal of success capturing 17 premierships across the age groups. The club in this time completed a much needed upgrade to its practice wickets and nets to establish an impressive practice area.
 
History will show that the club dominated the ATCA competition during the decade, becoming the bench mark for other clubs. The tireless work of the Board, lead by President Barry Fry and with contribution from numerous volunteers, in particular recruiting officers, (life members Des Fry and Dennis Jones) has ensured the success of this era and has set the foundation for a strong future.

2010 – 2020

The success of the first decade of the new millennium (2000 – 2010) for the club was continued into the second decade (2010 – 2020) with the club winning a further 10 premierships across the grades. The 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons were particularly memorable with both the A and B teams winning the A1 and B1 premierships as well as Division 1 and Division 2 Twenty20 flags.

A phenomenon known as T/20 cricket took off during this period with the club fielding one team initially, to having four teams in the 2020/21 season. In 2018/19 and 2019/20 representatives from the AFL Port Power Football Club played in Division 3 of the T/20 competition under the Grange banner, winning a premiership easily in 2018/19 in front of a huge crowd and the cameras of 3 national TV stations.

Junior participation increased over this 10 year period with teams ranging from Under 10s to Under 18s, including a girls team in 2013/14 and 2020/21. The SA Veteran Cricket Association was formed during this decade with Grange fielding a side in the Over 50s from 2017/18.

Dwindling player numbers in the senior grades due to a variety of reasons, including employment opportunities, changing shopping hours and other distractions forced the demise of two senior teams. After having six senior teams for over 40 years the club would only field 4 senior teams during the second half of this decade. This ultimately resulted in the loss of the lease of Mitchell Oval at Henley Beach after 50 years. The board is working extremely hard to rectify this disturbing trend.

The support of businesses, large and small through sponsorship has increasingly become an integral part of meeting financial commitments and the club will be forever grateful for their contributions.

Unfortunately major and long time sponsor (over 40 years) LIM’S CHINESE RESTAURANT at Glenelg has been unable to continue its association with the Grange Cricket Club due to economic circumstances. Members past, present and future are indebted to them for their support. Fortunately a raft of new sponsors have all committed to helping the club’s financial stability.

Sadly 2018 and 2019 saw the passing of three Gold Life Members. Barry and May Fry, and Denis Jones – they were three wonderful administrators and tireless workhorses who were committed to making the Grange Cricket Club great. They remain sadly missed and impossible to replace.

2020 – PRESENT

The Grange Cricket Club and cricket in general entered the decade 2020 – 2030 facing new challenges both on and off the field including the effect of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

The club continues to promote the participation in the game of cricket at both senior and junior levels with some success. An additional senior team was added in the one day competition in the 2020-2021 season but the shortage of grounds and the regular availability of players across senior grades continues to be a source of frustration.

Through the first half of this decade the number of juniors playing for the Grange Cricket Club continued to grow to the extent that during the 2023-2024 season the club had 17 junior teams ranging from under 10s to under 17s.

At the other end of the spectrum the number of older players wishing to continue to play cricket has seen the club endeavour to facilitate this by fielding multiple teams in the Veterans competition. During 2023-2024 season the club had two over 50s, one over 60s and one over 70s teams.

A number of Capital Expenditure Projects were planned to be undertaken during this period in the Club’s history.

Firstly work was carried out on the relaying and addition of an extra pitch on the centre wicket at Grange Oval at the same time there was work done on the practice wickets to remediate the bowlers run ups. This upgrade was made possible by funds made available by Cricket Australia and took place with the assistance of many volunteers under the direction of Andrew Pierson.

The next project scheduled for completion for the start of the 2024-2025 season was the upgrade of the practice nets themselves to better provide a safer facility for training and would not have been possible without the assistance of the City of Charles Sturt and the South Australian Government.

Years in the making the final major venture the club is committed to at this time is the demolition and rebuild of the existing office, function and change room facilities at the Grange Recreation Reserve.  In conjunction with the South Australian Amateur League and with the financial support of State and Local Governments and a huge amount of consultation, planning and negotiation has been under taken by the Clubs Board led by President, Rob Gordon. This development is due to commence in September 2024 and be completed by the end of 2025.