ONE of Sunraysia cricket’s biggest cult heroes isn’t looking to put the feet up now he is into his fifth decade.
Mark ‘Cabbage’ Kerr has been described as an institution at Mildura Settlers and has become of the club’s most decorated players following their recent First Division Premiership.
That’s now nine medallions for the 50-year-old since the club’s brought-breaking 2007/08 season, with Englishman Richie Wyld the only other player to match those numbers.
Kerr is also the third highest all-time wicket taker for Setts with 471 across in 320 games all grades, behind only Chris Cleary (612 wickets) and Gerry Vuik (500).
He is Mr Consistent with the ball in hand and while the left-armer doesn’t generate huge pace, his almost robotic ability to hit a line and length that batsmen cannot score from is legendary. Across the two games in the recent grand final series against Coomealla Wentworth, Kerr took a total of 2/14 from 16 overs with an incredible nine maidens.
While Kerr scoffed at the suggestion he may be a cult favourite — he said he just gets reminded of his age on the field — he has a lot of pride on being part of a dominant Settlers for the past 14 seasons.
“I just really enjoy being around the club I grew up with, so I was keen to come back and play here after I had a bit of time off,” he said.
“The club is really organised and well supported, and I think that’s because we seem to do all the right things off the field as well as on it.
“We’ve had a core group of some quality players and a good mix of juniors coming through as well.”
When it comes to his incredibly economic bowling, Kerr said consistency has been the key.
“Just consistently bowling at training over the years and finding a way of getting rid of a lot of the bad balls, rather than bowling a lot of great balls,” he said.
“I feel pretty confident I can land it on the spot where I need it go.
“I’ve always enjoyed being active, and have always done something outside of cricket. Back in the day I used to play footy as well.
“Since then I’ve always found some form of fitness I enjoy doing outside of the club and when I get to training I bowl pretty consistently for most of the night and I think that just keeps the body in a bit of a habit and rhythm.”
Kerr did not divulge the origins of the ‘Cabbage’ nickname, claiming it’s a “boring story”, but did confirm it was bestowed upon him by a mate at Under 16 level.
The Setts star has no thoughts of slowing down on the cricket field.
“I’ve always believed cricket is a game you can keep going with a fair while at,” he said.
“I know some blokes who play at 60 or above I think it’s a great game for that because you get your rest times – although there is the heat but growing up in Mildura you get used to that.
“It is one of those games, and especially with my style of cricket it doesn’t overly tax the body and if you can keep a bit of that agility you can keep going.”
Kerr said there are a number of factors that have helped make Mildura Settlers so successful over the past decade and a bit.
“What we’ve done well as a club is made sure we have good facilities, ours are good as any in the association,” he said.
“It’s a great atmosphere to play here at this ground, and I think it kind of rubs off on us.
“I think we do well socially, we have had a good combination of hard working committee people over the years, and life members are still heavily involved.”
Kerr hopes he and Wyld can both reach premiership number 10.
“I’m sure he (Wyld) won’t stop until he beats me,” Kerr laughed. “We’re always looking for success and when we get it we make sure we enjoy it.
“We can’t get rid of him now, he’s got a family and a business here so looks like we’ve got him for good.
“He’s been really good he’s had success as captain of first division and blokes love playing with him. He’s one of our coaches at the moment. Now he’s a part of our furniture, we do like having Richie around and he’s been a really positive influence on the club.”
