CRICKET Mike Whitney came to prominence playing international cricket. He is known as having a wild-man image with a reputation for bowling fast and dangerously. One of Mike’s career highlights occurred in 1981 when he was seconded from the Gloucester County Side to join the touring Australian side and played 2 tests in that English Tour.

Mike went on to represent Australia in West Indies, Sri Lanka, England and Zimbabwe. In 1994 after a 14 year successful career he retired from first class professional cricket.

He is currently President of the Randwick Petersham Cricket Club, and Vice-President and a Life Member of Cricket New South Wales.

ENTERTAINMENT Since then Mike has established himself in the entertainment industry and the hearts of the Australian people with his varied talents including promotions and marketing, print, television, radio and film.

Mike was co-host of 108 episodes of Who Dares Wins, a weekly half-hour real life action program. Mike was also known as the referee on Gladiators & still hosts the long running magazine show on the Seven Network, Sydney Weekender as well as numerous other TV appearances & specials. He also hosted the AXN Who Dares Wins India Special, where there were six 1 hour programmes filmed on location in India and Australia and aired on AXN Cable in Asia and India.

In 2000, Mike was a presenter for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games covering the cycling, rowing, tennis, athletics, and Opening and Closing Ceremonies for The Seven Network. He was also co-host of The Olympic Show, the prime time Sunday afternoon sports programme which interviewed Olympic and Para-Olympic athletes prior to the games.

COMMUNITY Mike is a patron for the Sydney Kids Committee (Young Christopher Robin Committee) and a member of the fundraising committee for the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick. He has also organised a fundraising day "Whit Walk -kilometres for Kids" with field events and family entertainment.

AUTHOR Mike is also the author of two best-selling books; Quick Whit and Whiticisms.

MUSIC The Mike Whitney Band had a tentative beginning with Mike & long time school mate, budding bass player extraordinaire Ray Nosti. As most teenage boys do, they used to jam in Ray’s parents garage at Matraville. But the music career had to be put on hold for a few sleeps till Mike & Ray were re-united by fellow channel seven employee Jim Astley… (lead guitar/ backing vocals). Jim already had a band featuring Ray with Stuart Gillies on drums/ keys & backing vocals.

After a few initial get togethers, it became obvious another musician was required to play the wide variety of material this band was capable of covering. The final ingredient to this potent mix was suggested by both Ray & Stuart with Nick Norton being recruited. Nick is a very talented guitarist/ drummer & singer in his own right & subsequently jumped on board. Names were bandied about but eventually MWB (Mike Whitney Band) was chosen & gigs booked...

MWB cover an extremely wide range of songs but try to focus on newer rock material. The song list looks like it was lifted from a modern contemporary radio rock station play list & is constantly being added to & shuffled around depending on the gig & the guest’s requirements.

MWB has become established in and around the Clubs and Pubs of Sydney and have gathered a loyal following gaining the respect of fellow musicians.