Mike Whitney

 

Michael Roy Whitney is an Australian television personality and former cricketer, who played in 12 Tests and 38 ODIs from 1981 to 1993, with best bowling of 7/27.

Fast bowler Michael Whitney was a favourite among Australian and NSW cricket fans for both his sense of humour and whole-hearted approach to the game. He made his Test debut in 1981 at Old Trafford against England, when he was called on by the Australian touring party due to injuries while playing for Gloucestershire. However, he was then overlooked for six years afterwards and played almost all of his matches for Australia in the late 1980s and early '90s. He was Australia's most economical bowler in the 1992 World Cup and in the same season took 17 wickets in three Tests against India.

Whitney became a much-celebrated number 11 batsman in the 1987 Boxing Day Test, surviving 18 deliveries and holding off Richard Hadlee to help secure a draw for Australia against New Zealand.

Since retiring from cricket, he has worked in the media, most prominently as the host of Who Dares Wins (made in Australia, the show has been seen in America on cable's Game Show Network). He has also been a referee on the Australian version of TV game show Gladiators and continues to host a variety of travel programs.

Mike is currently hosting Sydney Weekender, a show airing only in New South Wales. He is also host of the new show Last Chance Learners. He officially endorses Hamish and Andy's greyhound, Fred Basset.

Mike is also part of the Indian Cricket League commentary team. On 8 of March 2009 Mike Whitney was inducted as a life member by the South Sydney Rabbitohs for his contribution in being a Director on the Football Club Board in the critical period during the Club’s battle for reinstatement to the competition between 1999 and 2001. He also played a decisive role in attracting fellow Life Member Kerry Stokes to the Club as a major sponsor upon its readmission to the competition in 2002, a coup that ensured the Club’s ability to make its triumphant return to the NRL competition.

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Testimonials

Mike Whitney as MC - St Gabriel’s  Gold Day Dinner - Sarah Quinn
 
“Mike far exceeded all expectations we had of him. He was the first to arrive and really took the time to understand our cause and what we were there to achieve. From the start he wanted to know everything and anything he could do to help out: He went around selling raffle tickets, assisted in the auctions by picking up the memorabilia and walking them around the room spruiking to increase the bids…. most impressive of all was the keys that we were selling – we had 150 to sell and at the end of the function we were really struggling to sell the last 60….. he got up on the microphone and sold them all, with an audience of 75 that was just outstanding! Mike was very down to earth, extremely funny and very approachable. He really made the effort to mingle with everybody that was in attendance and by the end of the function everyone really felt like they had made an extra friend in him. We were there to raise much needed funds for our special needs unit, it was obvious that Mike was genuinely interested in our cause – it was one of the most successful fundraisers we have had and I have no doubt it was thanks to Mike”
 
 
Mike Whitney - NLG Hotel Group AFL vs. NRL luncheon - Bianca Vlasic
 
“Mike is very entertaining and is able to read the audience well. He had them in stitches from start to finish – Outstanding!”
 
 
Mike Whitney - Greta Branxton Colts – Mark Bercini
 
“Friendly and very approachable. Mike is very animated & passionate in the way that he presents his stories, you don’t have to be just a cricket fan to enjoy listening to him speak - he really does appeal to all sporting fans in general.”
 
 

Mike Whitney - Capital Finance Real Estate Conference - Nicole McEwen

“Mike was fabulous. He kept everyone in line and on time, was lovely to work with, said all the right things and I would definitely work and recommend him for future events.” 

 
Mike Whitney - Daniel Passfield - Merewether GC
 
“Mike was a great speaker and very personable. He stayed back after the function and his accessibility to everyone was  really great. I think I left @ 10.30pm and he was still there! Most speakers that you get do their speech and then 5-10 mins after it is all over they are ushered out the back door -   that was not the case with Mike at all. He was very nice and extremely easy to work with, all of the reviews that we have had back have been great. Mike had plenty of antics & stories to tell and was extremely well received by all.”
 

 Shaun Gordon  - Lemon Tree Passage Bowling Club - Mike Whitney & Mal Meninga Tour

"Mike was absolutely hilarious – a real crack up!
He talked about a bit of everything - cricket, his life, the days of Who Dares Wins and more. He was very outgoing and fun, and was willing to answer all of the questions that were asked. He really is a great speaker."

 
Daniel Storey - Singleton Golf Club - Mike Whitney & Mal Meninga Tour

"He was really fantastic! He had a lot of great stories to tell and really kept the crowd entertained. Mike left a very memorable impression on everybody."

Fiona Cossil - Beenleigh RSL - Mike Whitney & Mal Meninga Tour
"Hilarious - So Many stories so little time! He was entertaining from start to finish. His stories kept coming and coming. He was really great."

Jacqui Nolan -Sauce Events - BBB Annual Luncheon 
"Mike was brilliant – you didn’t have to be a cricket fan to enjoy his stories he had the guests in the palm of his hands. He was very funny."

Sharon Grahame  - Malanda Hotel  - Mike Whitney & Mal Meninga Tour

"Mike was absolutely hilarious he had people laughing so much that they had tears coming out of their eyes – I looked around the room and everyone was laughing hysterically at the things he had to say, he was just so funny!"

 

 

 

 

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