When it comes to cricket in Melton, few names are more recognisable than Wheelahan.
In what was a dominant run between 2008 and 2013, James Wheelahan was a star for Melton Cricket Club and helped the Lions become a dominant force in the Victorian Sub District Cricket Association.
The gun bowler played in four premierships and one overall championship, the latter with his cousin, Brian Wheelahan.
But before the most recent generation of success, it was James’s father, Michael Wheelahan, who helped shape cricket in Melton.
After playing for VSDCA clubs Sunshine and Altona and Premier Cricket side Footscray Edgewater, Michael Wheelahan moved to live in Melton in 1975 when he was 25.
And his timing couldn’t have been better, as Melton Cricket Club was formed in the same year. He quickly made contact, played in a premiership in his first year at the club and remained at the Lions for the rest of his career.
“I bought a house in Melton and wanted to play cricket here,” he explained.
Michael Wheelahan went on to play in another VTCA premiership before Melton moved to the sub-district in 1985. He pulled on the whites for another five years before retiring in 1990.
“The year I retired I used to go and watch the Melton firsts play,” Wheelahan recalls.
“One of the blokes said to me, ‘Why don’t you take up umpiring? I started that in 1991.”
For 25 years, Wheelahan has had what he describes as the best seat in the house.
After getting his umpiring start in the Victorian Metropolitan competition, he was snapped up by the VSDCA and has been a regular fixture standing by the stumps on a Saturday afternoon ever since.
Across the two competitions, he has umpired 420 matches.
“I’ve umpired 80 games in the Metro and I’m up to 340 in the subbies,” Wheelahan said.
“I’ve also done three grand finals and three championship finals. It gives you a buzz doing them, those big games.”
For his 50-year commitment to local cricket, Wheelahan has been officially recognised by Cricket Victoria with an award for his services to the game.
But, ever the team man, it was the accomplishments of others that Wheelahan listed as highlights during his time in cricket.
He said watching his son play in a Melton premiership side was a clear standout.
“[James] played in four premierships and a championship,” he said. “He bowled with [Shane] Harwood and also won the 2010-11 bowling average.
“Then to see him play in the championship final with my nephew, Brian … that’s a real highlight, too.”
James is in awe of his father’s accomplish- ments.
“It’s a fantastic achievement to be involved that long,” he said.
“The amount of service he has given playing and umpiring is pretty astonishing. He’s got great mates at different cricket clubs, after being at Sunshine, Altona and Footscray as well.
“He’s always been a great supporter of mine. That has always been the main highlight, having his support throughout my career.”
After raising the bat on his half century, Wheelahan has no plans for retirement just yet.
He wants to remain in the best seat in the house for a few more seasons.
