Brendan Whitby has padded up in first grade and rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest names in Queensland cricket.
The Mackay Magpies stalwart spent eight seasons with Toombul District Cricket Club in the Brisbane Premier League competition where he earned his top-grade spurs as a capable all-rounder.
Whitby’s cricket journey has taken the experienced campaigner and his three sons Jacob, Thomas and Nicholas to the Mackay District Cricket Association and the scene of many career highlights.
After a twelve-year hiatus, Brendan joined the Magpies Cricket Club where he has savoured some magic moments over the past two summers.
One of his proudest moments earlier this year was playing alongside eldest son Jacob, 13, for the Magpies in the Mackay District third grade Grand Final at Harrup Park.
Walkerston Red pipped the Magpies to lift the Maurice Blackburn Lawyers Cup but the thrill of joining forces with promising all-rounder Jacob in a title decider was worth the effort alone.
A proud Brendan skippered the young Magpies X1 and top scored with 40 after son Jacob compiled a valuable 21 runs off 74 balls to help their side register 7-143 off 35 overs.
Brendan faced 44 balls and smashed three sixes and two boundaries but to no avail as Walkerston (7-144) responded by eclipsing their target in the 34th over.
Whitby senior showed his wares with the ball – grabbing the remarkable figures of 4-17 off seven tidy overs and Jacob returning 0-9 off eighteen deliveries.
It capped an eventful summer for the talented father-son duo who also tasted success in the junior ranks.
Top prospect Jacob captained the Magpies Under 14s to a premiership triumph in the Mackay Under 15B competition – under the guidance of super coach Brendan.
“I have to thank Jacob and his junior teammates for persuading me to come out of retirement – they rekindled my interest after a long period out of the game,” revealed Whitby senior.
Cricket has been a way of life for Brendan, who made his senior debut for the North Tamworth Cricket Club in third grade many summers ago.
“After my stint with Toombul I honestly thought I would never play again but the kids were keen to take up the sport and encouraged me all the way,” he explained.
“When we moved to Mackay, I joined the Magpies and looked after the Master Blasters team that included Jacob before guiding my other sons Thomas and Nicholas the following season,” quipped Brendan, who has coached the Magpies since Under 11s.
Young gun Jacob starred for the Cyclones last summer and gained valuable experience when selected to play for the Northern Kings in the Brisbane Premier League Under 14s Twenty-20 tournament.
There was no prouder person than his father when rising colt Jacob made his senior debut for the club in third grade at the tender age of thirteen.
“Jacob made a good fist of his promotion and we managed to bowl a few overs together and open the batting which makes me proud,” exclaimed Brendan.
“To play sport with your kids is an exhilarating feeling that brings plenty of enjoyment and overall it has been a wonderful journey so far.
“Even better is being a part of the Magpies cricket family,” beamed the evergreen warrior.
Outstanding father-son duo Brendan and Jacob Whitby steered the Mackay Magpies Cricket Club to premiership success in 2023-24
