Ex SUCC Player Imran Khan

Imran’s 1000 days of solitude

Imran Khan has now been in solitary confinement for over 1000 days.

On Thursday, his sister Aleema Khan, who along with supporters has been staging a weekly protest outside the prison where the former Prime Minister is being held, filed a petition to the Islamabad High Court claiming the brutal treatment is illegal and amounts to torture.

Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper released details of the motion filed on behalf of the detained former politician and cricket captain.

According to the petition, the PTI founder informed his counsel during court-mandated meetings that his wife, Bushra Bibi, is also being kept in solitary confinement for 24 hours a day at the same jail. The petition stated that neither television, books, nor any reading material is being provided to him, and lawyers are being prevented from meeting him for legal consultations or executing powers of attorney. Moreover, the PTI chairman, secretary general, and other office holders of the party are not being allowed to meet him.

The petitioner argued that no court has sentenced the 74-year-old former prime minister to solitary confinement in either the Al-Qadir Trust Case or the Toshakhana-II case. The petition alleged that jail authorities have kept him in isolation for approximately 22 hours daily for the last six months without any legal sanction.

A cruel hoax was perpetrated earlier in the week when a video appearing to be from one of Pakistan’s news stations appeared online, claiming there were moves to free Imran from prison.

There are some very ordinary people in the world.

Aleema, meanwhile, called on supporters to join her weekly protest at the jail on Tuesday.

“Imran Khan is not only our brother, but also the leader of PTI, so we said that we need all of you. Come here and increase the pressure so that Imran Khan can receive treatment in a proper hospital…Imran Khan had carried out a sit-in for 128 days. He spent day and night on the streets. Everyone will have to show a little courage. This is a difficult time, and we are doing whatever we can.”

Remember, you can help keep some attention on Imran’s cause by wearing one of these. You may not look as good as Greg Chappell, but you will feel as good inside.

Greg Chappell

Acknowledgment to Peter Lalor

LIEUTENANT COLONEL HENRY NORMAND MacLAURIN

The first former Sydney University cricketer to be killed in the Great War.

27 April 1915

During the afternoon of 27 April 1915, just two days after the first landing at Anzac Cove, at about 3.15pm, 36 year old Lieutenant Colonel MacLaurin was standing on the slopes of the ridge that now bears his name (MacLaurin's Hill). He was responsible for the 4000 soldiers of the 1st Infantry Brigade and he ordered his men to keep under cover to avoid Turkish fire. He himself, however, was shot dead. MacLaurin was buried by his grieving men where he fell. In 1919, he was re-interred at the 4th Battalion Parade Ground.

Cricketer. Barrister. Soldier.

MacLaurin was a much respected barrister at Wentworth Chambers in Elizabeth St, specialising in accountancy. He was active in the militia forces of the NSW Scottish Rifles where he rose to command a regiment and he enlisted on 15 August 1914, almost as soon as war was declared. He had played two seasons for the Sydney University Cricket Club when he was an undergraduate. In 1896-97, aged 18, he scored only 44 runs in 2nd Grade before being inexplicably promoted to 1st Grade (SUCC 1st Grade cap no53) where he played another two games without distinction (15 runs @7.5).

Then, in 1898-99, he was twice selected in University's 1st XI (which was playing in the 2nd Grade competition) when University won the 2nd Grade Premiership. MacLaurin's energetic 54 was followed by a non-descript 5 and he played no more after graduating with a BA in 1899 and after admission to the NSW Bar.

A distinguished family.

MacLaurin's father, Sir Henry Normand MacLaurin (1835-1914), was Chancellor of the University from 1896 until his death. MacLaurin Hall at the University is named for the former Chancellor.

Sir Henry was a dominant figure in conservative politics and was President of the Legislative Council, the Upper House of the NSW Parliament. Three sons, Charles, Hugh and Henry, all served in the Great War. Charles was the father of Catherine who was, in turn, mother of the prodigiously talented Mackerras family including Alistair Mackerras, Headmaster of Sydney Grammar School from 1969 until 1989.

Henry was firstly educated at Blair Lodge School, Polmont in Scotland and then at Sydney Grammar School where he flourished.

The Great War.

Lieutenant MacLaurin was a stern but kindly disciplinarian with a deserved reputation for encouraging his men to their best endeavours. They respected his energy and enthusiasm especially when they trained under him in Egypt before the Gallipoli campaign. When orders for the landing at Gallipoli came through, MacLaurin was said to have "bounded smiling up the stairs to the General's office to plan the attack."

MacLaurin was one of 337 Sydney Grammar students to be killed during the Great War.

He was the first of the Sydney University Cricket Club's players to be killed.

Envoi.

CEW Bean, the Great War's pre-eminent historian , described MacLaurin as

"... a man of lofty ideals, direct, determined, with a certain inherited Scottish dourness...but an educated man of action of the finest type that the Australian universities can produce."

LEST WE FORGET.

James Rodgers

MEMBERS OF THE SYDNEY UNIVERSITY CC KILLED IN SERVICE OF AUSTRALIA WORLD WAR 1 and 2

MEMBERS OF THE SYDNEY UNIVERSITY CC

KILLED IN SERVICE OF AUSTRALIA

WORLD WAR I

Major John Nicholas Fraser Armstrong

(SUCC 1902-04)

died 5 July 1916, France, aged 38

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Captain William Robert Aspinall MC

(SUCC 1912-14)

died 20 July 1917, France, aged 24

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Lieutenant Robert Anthony Barton

(SUCC 1914-15)

died 9 June 1917, Messines, France, aged 22

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Lieutenant Alan Russell Blacket

(SUCC 1913-15)

died 16 August 1916, France, aged 22

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Captain Norman Walford Broughton DSO

(SUCC 1908-15)

died 10 September 1917, The Somme, France, aged 28

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Major Gother Robert Carlisle Clarke

(SUCC 1894-97),

died 12 October 1917, at Zonnebeke, Belgium, aged 42

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Lieutenant Edgar Boyd Clouston

(SUCC 1913-1914),

died 26 September 1917, Polygon Wood, Belgium, aged 22

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Sergeant William Hilder Gregson

(SUCC 1895-1901),

died 14 November 1916, Guedecourt, France, aged 39

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Corporal Clifford Dawson Holliday

(SUCC 1914-16),

died 20 July 1916, Fromelles, France, aged 21

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Captain Roger Forrest Hughes

(SUCC 1908-13),

died 11 December 1916, Flers, France, aged 26

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Gunner Eric Neal Clamp Leggo

(SUCC 1916-17),

died 20 October 1918, France, aged 25

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Lieutenant Colonel Henry Normand MacLaurin

(SUCC 1896-99)

died 27 April 1915, Gallipoli, aged 36

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Private Alan David Mitchell

(SUCC 1911-12)

died 5 May 1915, Cairo, Egypt, aged 23

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Lieutenant Alexander Roxburgh Muir MC

(SUCC 1914 -15),

died 13 October 1917, Ypres, Belgium, aged 22

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Lance Corp. Clarence Garfield Page, MM

(SUCC 1911-13)

died 22 July 1916, Pozieres, France, aged 27

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Lieutenant Elliot D’Arcy Slade

(SUCC 1911-12)

died 30 March 1918, Villers Bretonneaux, France, aged 23

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Captain Arthur (Johnnie) Verge

(SUCC 1899-1904)

died 8 September 1915, at Alexandria, Egypt, aged 35

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Captain John Stuart Dight Walker, MC.

(SUCC 1904-07)

died 21 July 1918, at Merris Nord, France, aged 32

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WORLD WAR II

Captain Stephen Denis Foley

(SUCC 1934-37)

died 14 May 1943, at sea off the Qld coast, aged 27

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Lance Sergeant Jack Thomas Garvin

(SUCC 1922-24)

died 4 June 1945, Labuan, Borneo, aged 43

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Major Llondha Holland

(SUCC 1920-21)

died 14 May 1943, at sea off the Qld coast, aged 41

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Flying Officer Jack Ledgerwood

(SUCC 1939-41),

died 21 September 1943, Steeple, UK, aged 21

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Brigadier Geoffrey Austin Street

(SUCC 1912-14)

died 13 August 1940, Canberra, aged 46

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Captain Laurence Edward Tansey

(SUCC 1936-37),

died 17 August 1943, at sea near Bowen, Qld, aged 24

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 Pilot Officer John Alan Traill

(SUCC 1941-42),

died 18 June 1944, at Gannes, France, aged 21

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Major Ian Firth Vickery

(SUCC 1931-39),

died 27 November 1942, Soputa, New Guinea, aged 28

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Dr Trevor Ashton Mitchell - RIP

Born 9 May 1933. 

Died 10 April 2026, aged 92. 

Trevor played lower grades for the Club from 1951 until 1956. He graduated in Medicine and practised as an an aesthetician in Sydney. 

The Club’s sympathies are extended to Trevor’s wife, Judi, and to his extended family. 

JFR

Richard Cowan - RIP

It was with a heavy heart that the Sydney University Cricket Club received the news of Richard Cowans passing on the 16th January 2026.

Richard ‘Richie’ Cowan became involved with the club when his son, Tom, first played for Sydney University, followed by his youngest son, Ed, in 1997-98. He has also had two grandsons represent Green Shield for the Club

He was a passionate supporter and benefactor of the club and a faithful spectator especially at University No.1 Oval. He always took a positive and encouraging interest in the club and in all our players. 

He will be greatly missed but his influence will be everlasting. 

James Rodgers

AW Green Shield Trial Nominations

SUCC is excited to open applications to trial for Green Shield (U16’s) for the 2026/27 season. Those selected in the Green Shield Squad can expect top quality coaching and facilities, a Sydney University Helmet and backpack and a tour in the September/October school holidays. 

John Spence - Australia Day Honours' List

John Spence, former lower grade captain who worked tirelessly for the Club and for Sydney University Sport for many years in the 1960s and 1970s, has been awarded the OAM in the Australia Day Honours list. 

The Club is delighted for John and warmly congratulates him on this much deserved honour

James Rodgers