 A lot of hard work but Brendan never gave up the dream.
Brendan McDonald selected for NSW 2nd XI vs South Australia 2nd XI in two one day matches in Adelaide
He might be seen by some as the court jester around the Gordon dressing room, but all of the players know there is no one more serious about his cricket than Brendan McDonald.
(Brendan bowling in the final last season against St. George)
The first small step of a longer term goal has come to fruition with Brendan’s selection in the NSW 2nd XI squad to play SA in Adelaide next week in two limited over matches and two 20/20 matches.
43 wickets in first grade last season at an average of 24.21 which was fifth overall and the selectors were asking, who is this leggie at Gordon who bowls with Beau?
This was followed by an invitation to bowl at the SCG practices with the NSW squad as well as sessions with both Shane Warne and Terry Jenner and Brendan was starting to show the skills he has are formidable and waiting to be further developed. They say leggies don’t mature until their late 20’s and at 25 Brendan is starting to understand all of the subtleties of this difficult craft.
A change in grip proposed by Terry Jenner at the end of last season to give him more turn meant he could practice it during the English season and deliver it on unsuspecting batsmen in the new Sydney season. The result, as can be seen from the list below, is 19 wickets in 7 matches this season at an average of 18.21 including 6 for 65 against the strong Sydney University team and second on the SCA list of wicket takers. His team mates Dylan Connell and Matt Nicholson are not far behind. 
Brendan was an excellent schoolboy cricketer who went to St. Joseph’s College Hunters’ Hill where he first met his best mate at the Club, Jules Stephenson in a match against Riverview.
An invitation to play at St. George after school was followed a season later with a number of years at Norths before Jules (and others) coaxed him over to the Stags at the start of the 2005/06 season.
(Some shots of Brendan in his first season with the club including receiving his first grade cap from Michael Cant)
Brendan is also a very valuable lower order batsman who has saved the team on many an occasion including a 98 against Bankstown in the 2006/07 season and many 30’s and 40’s in one day games particularly when the scoring rate has needed a lift.
His fielding in the slips and in the “circle” has been first class and definitely up to the standard needed at the next level. A decision before the start of the season for Nicho and Brendan to pick themselves as a pair in their Fantasy League teams (even though at an expensive price) has meant a lot of “Caught McDonald bowled Nicholson” and “Caught Nicholson bowled McDonald” so far this season.
Brendan’s selection will also be celebrated by Brendan’s family as his Dad, Barry is a regular visitor to the games each week. Brendan also works for his father, so an “application for leave” I am sure will be processed without fuss.
So it is on to Adelaide and chance to show his wares maybe in front of Terry Jenner who I am sure will have more than a passing interest in his performance. As for the Gordon Club, there are no special expectations, because we know Brendan will do his best and he will enjoy himself. Perhaps Nicho, Beau and Packers should warn of few of their mates before he gets there.
Good luck Brendan from everyone at Gordon. | 
