Ryan O'Connor - keep it simple
Parkdale Cricket Club | September 14, 2023
Ryan O’Connor is a celebrated player in the Mornington Peninsula and South Bayside competitions
He’s played first grade with the three clubs he’s played at. He won the Robert Thompson Medal (Sub district medal) in 2014-15 for Ballam Park and the W.B. Wedgwood medal (Provincial medal) in 2010/11 for Sorrento.
Let’s find out more about Ryan’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1986
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Yes, under 14’s on a Friday night and we had to drive out to Balnarring to face a bloke called Shane Murdoch. Shane was 14 but had a full moustache and I’m sure a few tattoos. I survived with the bat and might have taken a wicket.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I played the majority of my cricket at the great Sorrento Cricket Club and left for a few coaching opportunities at Ballam Park and now currently at Parkdale. I think I’ve been very lucky to have great people like Anthony Blackwell, Nick Davern, Gerard Clarke, Ben McDonald and Nick Jewell to help me a long the way.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
I was 14 and I got to play under the great Geoff Morgan. I remember him being nearly on the pitch and just catching everything that was hit near him. It was either in the 3s or 4s.
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?
I’ve been lucky enough to play First XI at Sorrento, Ballam and Parkdale. Early days selection was always a nervy time where you waited to hear your name called out but as you get older I think you relax and just play where you are picked. Sorrento debut was ok, Ballam debut was horrific and Parkdale debut was good.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Bloke who can hit a spot and love to have a bat when I get the chance.
What were your strengths as a player?
Bowling to my field and drying up runs.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
94 for Sorrento against Skye.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
6 for 8 for Sorrento against Ballam Park
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Had to face this county tearaway two years ago called Jack Plom. He had some wheels and moved it a mile.
Scotty Phillips did it all. Movement in air off deck and was just a competitor.
Timmy Bateman at Mt Martha. Tall fella, good lift, good pace and cut it off the wicket.
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Triparthi from Carnegie drifts it in and moves it a mile which makes him hard to play against.
Prosser brothers have done it for a long time in the MPCA and need to be respected and Jedd Sutton’s spell at Baxter one day gets him a spot.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Daniel Warwick Baxter, you just knew if you were anywhere from leg to 4th or 5th stump he had the ability to whip you for 6 over square.
Daniel Forbes from Hampton is just a beast who has made runs every time I have played him.
Wade Pelzer has always made runs against Sorrento and looks stylish doing it.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Had to be either Nick Jewell at Crib Point or Anthony Blackwell in his early days at Sorrento. There were too many hundreds to count. They both smoke the ball through cover and as soon as you get short you were gone.
Nick Jewell
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason seemed to always cause you a few problems?
Tim Batemans lengths and good lift use to get me a lot.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
Jack Plom - 2019 season. Last game of the year in the twos at Parkdale. He had to get back on a plane that night to get back for the first county game. There was 24 wickets taken on the first day, he took 9 wickets and made 40 of their 71 runs.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Robbie Dunball. Even if he’s not, I had to mention him. Had great gloves, leg side work was fantastic. It was just a shame he used his front pad to hit the ball all the time.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Anthony Blackwell and Nick Jewell just amazing bats and Blackers was an amazing bowler who never gave anyone an inch.
Anthony Blackwell
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Probably the above two blokes again. Nick Jewell, taught you a lot on the field while also setting some amazing fields that paid off instantly a lot of the time. Blackers never gave anyone an inch and just got the best out of you.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
On and off the field I always enjoyed Nick Daverns humour and Robbie Dunball had some crackers.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Probably the day Jonesy drove me over the POB club house. I’m still copping shit for it.
Who was your childhood hero?
Glenn McGrath
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods
LeBron James
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Ricky Ponting
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Sorrento, sitting up on the deck.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Playing in a Grand Final with my little brother
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Ballam Park, they needed 8 runs with 7 or 8 wickets in hand and we got up.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Hayden Callahan, Sam Wills and Nick Davern
What are your hobbies?
Horse racing, cricket, golf and watching NBA and AFL
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Batsmen are stupid, just keep it simple – Brett Hudgson
What’s your occupation?
Business Analyst for MYOB
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?
Something around delayed start times so that clubs could come back to watch their first eleven and make club environments what they use to be.
Make sure that all three formats are factored into the fixture and allowing home grown talent to play as 0 pointers or give a point deduction for playing a junior.
