Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
Chris Green pays tribute to long-serving Thunder physiotherapist
On the eve of celebrating his 20th anniversary of working as a physiotherapist for Cricket NSW, few people are as qualified as Sydney Thunder’s Murray Ryan – aka ‘Muz’ – to pinpoint the traits a player needs to compete in the unforgiving arena of top-class cricket.
Ryan, who started his association with CNSW in 2000/01 when he was appointed the physio for the state’s Under-17 program while still “fresh out of university”, has witnessed first-hand the battle players have faced to either mark out their run-up or to take strike in Sheffield Shield matches, One-Day games and high-stakes T20 clashes.
“When you start talking about Sheffield Shield cricket… four-day cricket… it goes to a new level of working through pain,” said Ryan, who chalks up his impressive milestone this weekend. “There’s obviously a combination of physical toughness and mental toughness that’s needed to be able to push things aside.
“That also comes down to preparation because if you put in the work during the pre-season, it is easier. I think the guys who thrive and survive are those who have the attention to detail and who look after themselves as well.
“BBL is probably not much different to four-day cricket other than the speed of the game is much higher, and there is a more sustained intensity over a shorter amount of time.”
During his two decades in the role of helping players overcome their strains, sprains and pain, Ryan said he’d noticed one of the greatest shifts is the demands that are placed on fast bowlers.
“Overall, the former days where fast bowlers could chill on the boundary are gone,” he said. “They’re expected to be as athletic as everyone else in terms of diving to stop the ball on the boundary; throwing the ball.
“They’re expected to be able to bat as well, and I think that creates an extra load for the fast bowlers that maybe wasn’t there in the past.”
While he has celebrated some incredible highlights, including NSW’s triumph in the 2009 Champions Trophy; the 2013-14 Sheffield Shield triumph and watching Michael Hussey lead Sydney Thunder to the victory dais to hold aloft the BBL|05 trophy, Ryan said there were memories that meant even more to him.
“It was a special moment to be a part of those wins – Thunder’s win to take out BBL|05 was really special because we were low down on the table and had a good run home,” said Ryan, who started his career at CNSW by working with fresh-faced teenagers which included the likes of Stephen O’Keefe, Steve Smith and David Warner.
“But, while you can talk about winning competitions and titles, seeing young people who you meet as 15 or 16-year-olds and watching them develop and do well is a massive highlight for me.”
Thunder’s all-rounder Chris Green said it was highly unlikely Murray Ryan would ever appreciate the impact he’s had on so many careers.
“It’s impossible to put into words the impact ‘Muz’ has had on us,” said Green. “He is a cool and calming influence around the guys: Murray is someone you can talk to about cricket, your family life or whatever else it might be that you need to speak about… he’s also a great guy to have a laugh with.
“His resume would detail some impressive achievements, but there are many things that wouldn’t be there – including how he goes above and beyond to help the team. In the six or seven years we’ve worked together Murray has exemplified everything Sydney Thunder stands for and what we’re about.”
