Norman Clifford O’Neill:  Kogarah Intermediate High 1949-1951
An outstanding batsman, Norm O’Neill was capable of blasting any attack, nullifying the best of bowlers. His devastating batting was a wonderful asset to his captain and an inspiration to the team. Highly spectacular, Norm was popular with crowds worldwide. He played in 47 tests, 19 against England, between 1958 and 1965, scoring 2779 runs at an average of 49.99. His highest test score was 181 in one of crickets most memorable matches, the tied test with the West Indies at Brisbane in 1960. He played 61 Sheffield Shield matches with N.S.W. scoring 4749 runs averaging 50.52.

Extremely powerful, Norm hit tremendously hard off the back foot. With a baseball grounding, playing 3 years Claxton Shield with N.S.W. and selected for the Melbourne Olympics in 1959, he was a superb fieldsman with a lightning return, specialising at cover point. The turning point in Norm’s sporting career came when he rejected an attractive offer from the New York Yankees. Much to the benefit of cricket, Norm settled in Perth where his son Mark played Sheffield Shield.

(from Kogarah High School hall photos)

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Norman Clifford O'Neill (born February 19, 1937 in Carlton, New South Wales) is a former Australian cricket player who played for New South Wales and Australia.

He was a class batsman, achieving a Test average of 45.55 in 42 matches between 1958 and 1965. In the 1960/61 Tied Test against the West Indies played at the Brisbane Cricket Ground ("The Gabba"), he made 181 in 401 minutes. Jack Fingleton later described the innings as having sparkled like champagne. As well as being the highest score made by any player in the series, it was also the only century made for Australia.

He was a nervous starter, but once settled, was a punishing batsman, particularly off the back foot. He was one of the great fielders of his era, with a magnificent throwing arm developed no doubt from his days as a baseballer.

He was named as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1962.

After his retirement, O'Neill became a radio commentator for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

His son Mark O'Neill played for New South Wales in the 80's and 90's.