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Mat Meers - player, administrator and commentator

Manly Warringah Cricket Association | July 31, 2023

Mat Meers is the Manly Warringah Cricket Association Competition Secretary and Umpires Coordinator and is a a tremendous and generous contributor to the game.

He’s also one of the hosts on Triple H 100.1FM Sports who through their radio station and Splinters Podcast make a valuable contribution to NSW Premier Cricket

Let’s find out more of Mat’s love of the game

What year you were born?

1984

If you can share with our readers how you would describe yourself as a cricketer?

Everyone else would describes me as a bowler, let’s go with that.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket so far?

I’ve been able to achieve a lot as a “Park” cricketer, overseas tours, playing English league cricket (shout out to Effingham in the Surrey League) but I would have to say it was being made a Manly Warringah Cricket Association Life Member this year.

At what age did you make your first grade PARK debut?

25, took 5/14 off 11 overs vs Harbord Diggers at Harbord Park.

Who’s your favourite all-time cricketer?

Glenn McGrath

Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

The most extraordinary innings would be Tom Kaye (current Manly 2nd Grade) scoring 150 out of 213 on a pitch in the middle of Baseball fields in Marin County, San Francisco, for the Manly Waratahs touring side. Was happy to be part of a 50 run partnership with Tom in this innings, where I contributed 1 run.

Who are the players you’ve come to admire most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?

Someone that I played with and learnt from that had played NSW Premier Cricket is Matt Suttling (Manly) who was my captain in the HBCCC 1st Grade team for 2009/10 and 2010/11. While I was piecing together everything from a physical point of view, it was Matt’s mental side of the game (tactics, field positions, even a bit of mental toughness) that still stay with me today.

Matt Suttling

Which singer/band would you like to see perform live?

The original Queen, with Freddie at the helm

Who’s the king of selfies at your club?

Not at the cricket club, but on the Triple H Sports team, Shave Evans loves a good selfie with whatever new piece of Merch he has for the week.

Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?

Any time I get hit for a boundary, then take the wicket, the ultimate revenge always makes me chuckle.

Who’s been the biggest influence on your career so far?

As a kid, my Dad. In my adult playing days, I would say that would have to be Glenn Meredith, getting me on two Manly Waratah World tours, which lead to me playing Surrey League, plus his indoor nets, won’t be forgotten for a long long time.

Where do you find inspiration that gets you through challenging times?

Knowing that I am very lucky with what I have achieved, and nothing lasts forever, so make the most of it while you can.

Who are the three people in the world you’d love to have a chat to in person?

In any era? Sir Donald Bradman, Richie Benaud and WG Grace.

W.G Grace

What do you like to do to relax outside cricket?

Between work, radio and cricket, I don’t get a lot of free time, but if I do find some, I’ll either be watching some bad movie/TV show, or spending time with my nephew.

If working, what do you do and name of business?

I’m part of the Triple H 100.1FM Sports Crew. Check out our coverage of Kingsgrove Sports Centre T20 Cup on Sundays at 2.30pm, we also have a sports show The Bench, where we talk NSW Premier Cricket, Friday Nights 6-8pm. Listen in on 100.1fm or triplehfm.com.au, or check out our Social Media (@TripleHSport on Facebook and Twitter) for more info.