Jim Robson at the statue of Australian captain Steve Waugh at the SCG. Photo: Gail Dwyer-Gerrard.
Jim Robson’s unique commentary as a guide at the Sydney Cricket Ground is delivered with a homegrown appreciation of people’s love of cricket.
Jim’s father Ken Robson was as happy giving something extra to cricket. He devoted so much of his life to playing the game at a high level, preparing pitches in Goulburn, coaching and administration, the city named a new pavilion at Seiffert Oval the Ken Robson Pavilion.
Now Jim, who left Goulburn in 1974 aged 18 and played first grade cricket for University of NSW for 32 years and was a state selector, is sharing his love of sport with a wider audience.
Three times a week at the SCG, he entertains tourists from all over the world on 90-minute walking tours of the famous ground and its historic facilities.
“We get a lot of people naturally from the two major cricket nations India and England; we get a lot of tourists from Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia who particularly love Aussie Rules,” Jim said.
He generally takes groups of about 20 people to the edge of the hallowed ground and talks about it for a while. Then he leads them into the Australian dressing rooms, then into the away dressing rooms, through to the main members’ area, the Ladies’ Stand and up to the Noble Stand and into the Richie Benaud Media Centre.
He points to where Australians enter the ground via the Don Bradman gate, away teams enter the ground through the Brian Lara/Sachin Tendulkar gate, and gives his audience something extra.
“Brian Lara got 277 here; a few days later his wife had a baby so they called the baby Sydney,” he said.
Having visited sports venues throughout the world he can relate to those places when talking about the SCG.
In the main members’ area he says the SCG has the oldest dressing rooms and oldest pavilion in the world. “No other first class ground in the world has a pavilion as old as this. This was built in 1886; it is three years older than Lord’s (pavilion),” he said.
“It is so beautiful inside, it’s kept in immaculate condition, even though it’s so old.
“In the Australian dressing rooms I always say my favourite player was Allan Border and he never got 100 at the SCG but he got a seven-wicket haul here one day. It was always a spinning pitch in those days; I hope it becomes a spinning pitch again,” he said.
Scenes of the crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground during the first Test between Australia and England which began on 13 December 1901. Photo: State Library of NSW.
Jim’s as helpful for AFL and rugby league fans, sharing his personal experiences in both codes at the SCG. A St George fan, he recounts attending the 1966 grand final, the year the Dragons played in their 11th consecutive premiership.
“I remember coming for cricket here in 1965 and seeing Geoff Boycott and Bob Barber bat. I come to the Swans matches regularly. Because I’m a member, I follow the Swans closely. I have known some Swans players; that’s kept me interested. I often would talk about Buddy Franklin’s 1000th goal,” he said.
After relocating to Sydney from Goulburn, Jim was fortunate enough to play two games at the SCG, which was still hosting first grade cricket matches. Previously in Goulburn he had an ideal mentor in his father, Ken.
An abiding memory was Ken’s determination and work ethic. He played first grade until he was 60 and opened the batting with opening partner Allan Boyd who was 40 at the time.
These days Jim takes much satisfaction in the success of his sons Angus and Sam. After a stint abroad Angus plays first grade for Easts in Sydney and recently made 146 runs.
Sam continues playing county cricket for Middlesex on the club’s home ground, Lord’s. Earlier in his career Sam scored a Test century playing for England.
“I was over there (four) weeks ago and because he has been playing with them for 15 years they gave him a testimonial benefit year,” Jim said.
A highlight was a black-tie function for 180 guests in Sam’s honour in the Lord’s Long Room at which Jim and his family attended. English cricket stars Michael Atherton, Mike Gatting, Angus Fraser and Steven Finn were the guest speakers, all talking about Sam and the upcoming Ashes tour.
So the game continues returning due rewards for generations of Robsons who have put cricket at the centre of their lives.
