🏏 Maccabi AJAX Senior Cricket Club
Maccabi AJAX Cricket Club continued to field a strong and committed senior playing group throughout 2025. With five teams across MCC, CSB and the mid-week T20 competition, the club remained active on and off the field, supported by a consistent base of volunteers, coaches and captains. The season included steady on-field performances, meaningful club events, and the continued development of younger players coming into the senior set-up.
2025 Impact
Membership
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Junior (U18) members | 10 |
| Senior (18+) members | 45 |
| Volunteers | 10 |
The club remains a senior men’s cricket program, with a small junior group training alongside the senior squads.
Teams
Five teams represented the club during the year:
| Competition | Teams | Format |
|---|---|---|
| MCC Club XI | 3 | Sunday |
| Cricket Southern Bayside (CSB) | 1 | Sunday |
| Mid-week T20 | 1 | 20/20 |
Four teams played weekly. One team competed in the T20 competition for those preferring a shorter format.
Farewell to Benji Jones
One of the most meaningful moments this year was Benji Jones’ final game.
The First XI closed his last match with a win, the best kind of send-off! His contribution has helped shape the standards and expectations of the club over many seasons.
2nd XI Finals & Strong Season
The 2nd XI finished second on the ladder in MCC Division 3 and qualified for finals, a positive result in a more challenging grade after promotion.
Key contributors last season included:
- Simon Fisher – 21 wickets
- Ben Kupshik – 17 wickets
- Devon Melzak – 15 wickets
- Simeon Goldenberg – scored a century and multiple half-centuries
- Consistent contributions from emerging younger players across the side
Captain Kupshik summed the season up simply:
“We adapted, stayed connected, and everyone played for each other. That’s something to carry forward.”
Presentation Night May 2025
At the club’s mid-year Presentation Night:
-
Zak Fleisher received the Ray Saffer Best & Fairest and Champion Player award, recognising his consistency and influence throughout the season.
The club’s identity continues to be shaped by shared events and connection off the field:
- The club’s annual Shabbat Dinner was held in February, an important shared community moment in the cricket calendar.
- The Season Launch Trivia Night brought players, families and supporters together ahead of Round 1.
- All Abilities cricket began in November, people with additional needs to learn and enjoy the game at their pace.
- The Chanukah Bash friendly against the Football Club returns this summer, continuing a popular cross-club tradition.
Recognising 100 Years
Last season marked the 100-year anniversary of the club’s foundations, commemorated with:
- A NSW vs VIC representative match recreating the original 1924 interstate Jewish cricket game
- The Joel Rembach Memorial Game
- A Centenary Dinner attended by past and present players, families and community members
It was a reminder that the club is part of a story much larger than the scoreboard.
The 2025/26 season began in October, with Round 5 now completed.
The early fixtures have shown promising combinations and confident new players settling into roles.
The focus remains clear:
- Consolidate performance across MCC grades
- Support emerging players and defined roles in each XI
- Embed All Abilities Cricket as part of the club’s identity
- Continue a club environment that is welcoming, grounded and easy to belong to
