Shaun Foster - your own expectations are what matters
Carrum Cricket Club | May 10, 2024
Shaun Foster has a strong family history at Carrum Cricket Club. A very talented batsman Shaun has made a terrific impact on the Peninsula and captain for the first grade team for 4 seasons.
Shaun represented Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association in Victoria Country Cricket week for 5 years and played First Grade for Casey South Melbourne in Victoria Premier Cricket.
Let’s find out more about Shaun’s journey in the game.
What year you were born?
1990
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I played my first official game of cricket for Seaford U/12s with my older brother Cory. I was 8 years old and don’t recall having a great impact. A memory of excitement and joy.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
As mentioned above it started off at Seaford before following Cory to Carrum as we just moved across the road. When my side folded due to a lack of numbers I started playing at Chelsea YCW with some school mates at St Bedes.
Enjoyed playing some lower grade senior cricket with Dad and some other Carrum legends before trying my hand at First grade cricket. I debuted for Bonbeach in the 1s with the late Murray Wells (under16 coach) at 15 years of age. He was a great coach/mentor and I miss him dearly. The following year I joined my older brother Cory at Carrum in the First Eleven and remained there for the next 4 years before trying my hand at Premier Cricket. I played the one season at Casey South Melbourne and thoroughly enjoyed it but found it hard balancing that standard of cricket and playing senior footy. I returned to Carrum the following year and captained the club for 4 seasons.
In 2016, I made a massive call to get outside my comfort zone and leave Carrum to join Gareth Wyatt at Main Ridge. Someone I idolised as a young player and had become a really good friend through country week cricket and similar interests (GO THE DEES!!!). It was the best decision I ever made. I learned plenty about myself and made lifelong friends at Main Ridge – a wonderful club.
After 3 seasons at Main Ridge and having the ability to drive the Peninsula link with my eyes closed I have returned home to Carrum to play alongside my brothers which I had really missed.
Special mention to the 5 country week years I played, made some amazing friends and memories that will last a life time.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket/local senior cricket?
13 at Carrum Cricket Club
What was the highest grade you played and can you remember what you were feeling when you were selected and how did you perform on debut?
Casey South Melbourne Premier 1st XI. Felt really proud but extremely nervous. I got about 15 and tried to hit a 6 to win the game but got caught in the dugout at Prahran. Ridgy swears it was over the rope. We drew the game and copped a mouthful.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Batsman that can bowl a few off the wrong foot.
What were your strengths as a player?
Ability to score quickly at the top and help my team mates get the best out of themselves in the middle.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
167 when I was 18 for Carrum, ironically against Main Ridge at Carrum
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
7/51 off 19 for Carrum against Mt Martha
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Scott Phillips - bowled me the best ball I’ll ever face. First ball of the innings looked like a wide out of the hand. I left it, swung back a metre and castled me. Memorable send off by the Hastings boys haha. Scotty was an absolute superstar and the MPCA misses him dearly.
Glenn Collett - early days charging in bowling gas with the elastics of his bonds undies around his head. He was a real handful and learnt to adjust his game over the years and I have so much respect for him. Plays with passion and hunger.
Reece Cordeux - terrific new ball bowler and I admired his aggression and passion. A guy who was really tough to play against but would be one of the first I would pick in my team.
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Jase Albress - incredible competitor who carried a huge weight of the club on his shoulders for a period. He consistently took wickets (big wickets). Great leader and although I don’t think he’s turned the ball ever, he was a handful.
Tim Birch - he just didn’t bowl a bad ball. So consistent and intimidating to the inexperienced players. Had really subtle variations and could whip through an over to build pressure.
Ricky Ramsdale - Rama had so many different variations, win at all costs mentality doing whatever it takes made him a nightmare to play against, but what a great leader he is!
Special mention to Andrew Norris from Baden Powell- very good bowler
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Gareth Wyatt - I idolised this man from the moment I first played against him, he was the best and what I wanted to be. Had the ability to completely take the game away from an opposition in 15 minutes. Was always a concern when he would mark off stump a few feet down the crease. Anything outside that line would disappear over the Main Ridge change rooms. Learnt so much from playing with and against him and honoured to call him a close friend.
Nick Christides - Chicko was an incredible striker of the ball, he had an eye like a dead fish and constantly punished Carrum for many years. Pace on or Pace off it didn’t matter. When he was on you weren’t stopping him. Sadly we clashed a fair bit on the field and its one of my bigger regrets not paying him the respect he deserved as he’s been a champion of the competition. I enjoyed the battles and have plenty of respect for him.
Simon Dart - Another ruthless competitor and ridiculously talented bat. Darty played many years of Premier Cricket with my opening bat of the time John Mitchell. On the way down to the chip I asked Johnny what his weaknesses were and how we would get him out. He replied “Shauny, if he wants to make a 100…. He’s probably going to make one.” Darty went on to make 186 and didn’t hit a ball in the air until he was 150 plus … Long day
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Nick Jewell – Tug made 160 plus in a one day game against Moorooduc, I sat at the other end and watched him call out where he was going to hit the ball and then execute. Very impressive (dare say he triggered a bonus that day too $$$).
Dan Polson- 181 against Boneo was some of the cleanest hitting I’ve ever witnessed, very special talent Pol
Was there any batsman or bowler in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Simon Dart must think I am the most pathetic cricketer of all time, pretty sure he has got me out about 7 times.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
It was a Premier 1st XI game against Carlton for Casey South Melbourne. I was that far out of my depth against some quality bowling. I farted my way to 65 before finally getting out. Nathan Pilon who was keeping jogged after me on my way to the pavilion and said “don’t you dare raise your bat, that’s the worst 1st XI 50 I’ve ever seen”. He wasn’t wrong.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
With - draw between Josh Dent and Eddy Aarons. Love them both
Against - Ben Tracey, “lightning hands” as he liked to call himself
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Neil Barfuss - he’s a traditionalist and I like that. Plays very close to the line but never over steps it. The teams he leads always show great character and passion. Skill set wise he can do it all.
Craig Entwistle - I think anyone who defeats you in a Grand Final regardless of the personal disappointment you have to admire the way they have been able to get their side to the top of the mountain. Craig and his side went back to back through the divisions and played a great brand. As a player he could contribute with bat and ball
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
This is too hard to just say one as I’ve had so many great captains that have had different strengths
Gareth Wyatt - actions speak louder than words operator, great motivator and filled you with so much confidence
Nick Jewell - tactically the best I’ve seen
Mark Cooper - Coops has taught me so much about myself that I didn’t know. Great teacher, leader and mentor. Strategically very good and thrives off getting the best out of his team mates.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Luke Collins “The Wasp” I really miss him
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Eddy Aarons reading out his letter in a semi-final is something only the Main Ridge boys will understand but it was all time .
Who was your childhood hero?
Steve Waugh
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Neale Daniher, Kevin Pietersen, Christian Petracca
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
James Brayshaw
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Main Ridge then daylight
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
The first time I played with my two brothers in a First XI game with mum and dad watching .
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
1 - Semi Final win when I was at Main Ridge. We did the Steven Bradbury late in the season and almost pinched a flag
2 - Home and Away win against the Seaford Tigers when I was at Carrum. Jezza Graves picked up 7 wickets in an emotionally charged win
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Country week edition
John Forrest - crown tables
Brad Davidson and Matt Foon- eve dance floor
Justin Bridgeman and Lyle house- family
Bobby Wilson - beers
What are your hobbies?
Footy, Golf and Keeping Fit
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
You can’t control the expectations that others put on you, all that matters are the expectations you put on yourself.
