Profile: Dan McGrath

Cambridge Cricket Blue: 2002 and 2003

I hail from the north shore of Sydney and started my high school education at St Ignatius College, Riverview. In 1989 my family relocated to Brisbane where I attended St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, graduating in 1993. Whilst at “Terrace” I played in the 1st XI from 1991 – 1993. In 1994 I commenced a double degree in Business and Laws at Queensland University of Technology. After graduating in 1999, I commenced my articles in a Brisbane law firm and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2002. During my university days in Brisbane I played my cricket at the University of Queensland at St Lucia. In October 2001 I matriculated at St Edmund’s College, reading for a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Political Sciences. During my two years at Cambridge I was lucky enough to be awarded cricket Blues in 2002 and 2003. I graduated in June 2003.

Cambridge for me was always one of those mystical places that young people in Australian universities speak of as the pinnacle of one’s academic career. However, having known a few Cambridge old boys through my rugby and cricket days at university in Brisbane, I quickly learned that Cambridge was not only a place to excel at academia; it was also a place where sport provided amazing opportunities. Upon hearing of the experiences of those that played in the cricket Varsity match at Lords or the rugby Varsity match at Twickenham, with all the incredible fixtures played up to those matches, I became hooked on the idea of attending Cambridge.

What cricket you played at Cambridge, highlighting the benefits whilst a student I was fortunate enough to not only play at the famous Fenners’, but also at many other famous grounds during my time under the light blue cap. The ultimate highlight was, unsurprisingly, the Varsity match at Lords’ – where we were fortunate enough to occupy the English dressing rooms for the two matches I played there. Other grounds at which I was fortunate to play at included the Earl of Arundel’s estate and the John Paul Getty estate – both grounds which have been enjoyed by many test match cricketers from many nationalities.

It is unfortunate that cricket at Cambridge suffers due to the perception that to play cricket at Cambridge will derogate from a successful academic year. Cricketers are required to play during the Easter Term when most of their Cambridge peers are locked away in their halls busily cramming for exams. However, for most of the cricketers, I don't think this creates a significant problem. Time management is a must during the cricket season and it is a skill that is fast learnt for the cricketers. This skill is not the only benefit though. I found that the chance to get out of the library into the English summer weather to escape the pressures of imminent exams was invaluable for my study program. The balance that cricket provides in the Easter Term helped me significantly when the exams rolled around.

After graduating in June 2003 I joined the law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in its Singapore office. I quickly joined the Singapore Cricket Club playing rugby, cricket and the occasional spot of tennis on the famous Padang fields in the centre of the city. Despite the fact that I now protest at having to be teammates now with some former Oxford cricket blues, the move to Singapore has made me appreciate the network that Oxbridge provides you throughout the world. I have had numerous occasions where I have met former Cambridge people in Singapore and elsewhere in the region and it is great to hear their stories of their time at Cambridge. It is a special place and I'm glad to have been a part of Cambridge cricket, albeit for a fleeting moment.