Peter Buchanan - do your best, be humble in defeat
Mornington Cricket Club | August 23, 2023
Peter Buchanan started his career playing in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association for Mornington Cricket Club. He’s a local junior who has made a tremendous impact on the teams and clubs he’s played and coached.
From Mornington to District Premier Cricket at St Kilda Cricket Club and a first grade premiership. Premierships at Mornington and Frankston Peninsula CC along with many years playing for Victoria Country Peter Buchanan has carved out a celebrated career in the game.
Let’s find out more about his journey in the game.
What year you were born?
1963
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
1st game - 12 years of age playing in the Under 14s for Mornington Cricket Club
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Played 1st XI Cricket at Mornington Cricket Club then went to St Kilda CC and was fortunate enough to play in 1985/86 First XI Premiership team. After my District career I came back to Mornington Cricket Club
I returned as Captain Coach and we won 3 consecutive Provincial 1st XI Flags backed up with Back to Back Wedgewood Medals.
I played in Multiple Provincial Country Week Flags which in turn led to Representing Victoria Country at 4 Country Championships in Newcastle, Canberra, Albany and Townsville where we won the Championships.
I then went to Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club as Coach and Captained the 2nd XI to win 1995/96 flag in a side featuring Groves, Wallace, McGain and many others,
Left Frankston and went back to Mornington CC and finished my playing days.
Awarded Life Member at Mornington CC and selected in the Mornington CC Legends team
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
Mornington CC in 3rdXI when I was 13
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?
St. Kilda First XI – 0 for 31 on debut against Collingwood at Victoria Pk. Did not bat. I was very nervous and excited as I was surrounded by first class players.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Batting All-rounder
What were your strengths as a player?
Always played to win and backed my own ability to whatever situation
As a hard hitting batsman I loved driving and learned the skill to hit over the top when needed and had a sound technique when required.
As a bowler had the ability to bowl fast medium outswingers with a good bouncer up my “ Sleeve”
As a fielder I took over 100 catches at Mornington mostly in slips and as captain I learnt from an early age about field placings and enjoyed the challenge of being captain and leading from the front with bat and ball.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
174 not out against Red Hill Prov 1st @ Mornington
?Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Terry Doyle- fit, fast, great competitor, great bouncer
Tony McWilliams from Mt Eliza- smooth, sharp, beautiful action, good bouncer
Rob Jackson from Pines CC – left arm swing and seam bower, super accurate
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Brian McCue – spin, bounce, super competitive and in your face
John Lillico from Pines CC - character, great leg break and decent googly
Blair Campbell from Prahran CC – left arm leggie, “Mystery”
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Rob Bedford – master blaster, damaging. Record speaks for itself. Best runner between wickets in my time
John Hille from Heatherhill CC - great competitor turned starts into big scores and the only batter I’ve seen that sledges the bowler while he batted. Never took a backward step,
Andrew Grant from Prahran CC – pure class player
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Too many but Rob Bedford and Ian Sartori were standouts at Country week and Vic Country Level. “Spider“Hillas was great to watch first hand as a young Cricketer early days .
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Brian McCue - knew how to get under my skin, smart sledger, antagonist
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used?
Playing for St Kilda CC 1stXI against Footscray and their bowling attack included Merv Hughes. Lenny Balcam, Tony Dodemaide, Colin Miller and Ray Bright. An all first class attack and it was a great experience.
Merv Hughes
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Jeff Calder- Mornington CC and Jason Jacoby - St Kilda CC
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Rob Bedford- MPCA
Warren Whiteside - St Kilda CC
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Steve Johnson - MPCA hardnosed, tough, loyal, great cricket brain, hated losing, winner
Shaun Graf - St Kilda CC. Leader of men, great mentor, backed up by his own actions with the bat and ball
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Mick “Enzo “McClear and Uccello Bros
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Graham “Toad “Smith bowling the “Gorbi “Ball to their captain Trevor Laughlin. The spit of the ball ended up on his face and the case ended up at the Tribunal.
Who was your childhood hero?
Dennis Lillee
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Viv Richards, Brad Fittler, Tyson Fury
Brad Fittler
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Bill Lawry, David Lloyd, Kerry O’Keeffe
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Mornington Cricket Ground, Junction oval
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Playing member St Kilda C.C. 1st XI Premiers 1985/86
Winning 3 Provincial 1st XI flags in a row for Mornington CC
Winning Multiple Country week Division 1 flags
Winning Australian Country championship for Victoria Country in Townsville.
St Kilda First Grade Premiers 1985/86
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
MPCA Provincial 1st Grand Final against Baden/Powell. Chasing 231, Mornington were 7 for 125, Nick Johnson 52 not out and Bryce McGain 58 not out (night watchman) got us home in very tense game.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Any from my premiership days at MPCA and Premier Cricket
What are your hobbies?
Cricket, travel, paddle boarding
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Do your best, always look to improve, be humble in defeat
What’s your occupation?
Electrician, now Cricket Coaching - PBCricket
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
No retirements when batting in Under 14 and Under 16s.
Create an Under 21 Colt’s competition and no 3rd or 4th grade in Premier Cricket.
