Clint Munday - an inspiration to all
Flinders Cricket Club | October 10, 2023
Clint Munday epitomises the Australian spirit of getting back up and having a go.
He’s played all his cricket at Flinders Cricket Club. He’s played, he’s been an administrator and he’s an inspiration to many.
Let’s find out more about Clint’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1979
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
When I was 9 I played on the Crib Point little ground (Primary School oval) against Tyabb CC. Played the last three games of the season. Scored 3no, 9 & 6no
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Played all my junior cricket at Crib Point CC with my two u16 seasons combined with Balnarring CC. My dad was Captain Coach of Flinders CC and I played all my senior cricket there.
I started playing in 3rd & 4th in 1993/94 and then played in the 2nds in 1994/95, before playing the last Round against Boneo CC in the 1st XI, made a duck.
I played in the 1st XI until the 2002/03. In the semi-final of that season I collapsed on the field with a heart problem and ten had further complications and as a result I had one of my legs amputated.
Had a few seasons off and then in 2006/07 I started back playing in the 2nds where I captained them for five seasons. Then I continued captaining the 3s from 2011/12 for another four seasons.
I became Flinders CC president in 2015/16 season and spent five seasons in that position, before I moved away from the area and it became too much of an effort to get to the club. From 1991 to 2020 I spent 27 years as either player or on the committee holding different positions. Also spent nine seasons on the MPCA board and coaching numerous junior representative sides and manager of the second Country Week side for six seasons.
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?
First XI – made a duck, so not so good a memory.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Opening Batsman, just a good ordinary player.
What were your strengths as a player?
Attacking batsman that liked to take the game on, anything short I loved ‘Happy Hooker’
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
111 in first grade v POB in 1997/98
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Only took six wickets in 1st XI – 2 for 42 off four overs vs. Crib Point. Got Henry Dolphin out.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Terry Doyle (Red Hill) - the fastest bowler I ever faced, coming down the hill at the chip was quite scary
Darrin Abblitt (Mt Martha) - a couple of years older than me but he was the star as he’d just came back from Premier cricket and was a class above.
Jason Nagel (Rosebud) - great competitor and could move it off the deck or in the air.
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
I don’t remember too many spinners, but Rupert White from Flinders is the best spinner I’ve seen. Could turn it a mile and his wrong’un was unbelievable, left arm chinaman
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Garath Wyatt (Main Ridge) - he was the star growing up and most times we played him in the seniors he’d make runs against us.
Keith Burdett (Hastings & Mt Eliza) - one of the best batsman to watch and another one that seemed to make runs against us.
Anthony Blackwell (Sorrento) - the only game I played against him he made 175, but his stats speak for themselves. He was a gun
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I can’t separate Jamie Symes 149 not out in the 1999/00 premiership vs. Frankston East. Chasing 242 we were 7 for 223 at the end of Day 2 and Symesy was 79no, we didn’t lose another wicket and finished 7 for 329. I still remember the on drive he hit to pass the score early on Day 3.
Also my brother Jay filled in for a game in the 3s one day when we were short. We had a team full of kids and I just said to him I need you to bat as long as you can. He made 209 out of 246 and no other player scored over six, he pulled his hammy when he was on about 20.
Tom Clements 151 not out vs Delacombe Park in Round 5 of 2017/18. We were 1 from 3 going into the game and finals were looking way off. Chasing 237 and reeling at 8 for 172, TC got it down to 12 runs off the last over. No runs scored off the first four balls and then Tommy clears the boundary with the last two balls of the day and kicks starts our season and we go on to win the first Peninsula Division premiership. Not a bad way to make your first 1st XI century
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason seem to cause you a few problems?
Jason Nagel
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to and you really had to knuckle down to survive?
Just early on in my first two seasons, I only scored about 200 in two seasons and thought am I any good. Third season made 550 runs, people might say I’m still not any good.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Always looked up to Jamie Symes, as a kid from Cribby he was doing everything as a kid on the cricket field. Now grown up it’s great that I can call him my mate.
Bobby Wilson his passion for the game is second to none and that’s what makes him a great leader at club land but especially when it comes to representing the MPCA.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Jamie Symes, proactive and thought outside the box.
Who has been your funniest team mate? Glenn Wadley, nothing in particular. Just very dry and if you were no good, he’d tell you that. Mainly to his teammates.
Who was your childhood hero?
David Boon & Dale Weightman
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Patty Mills, Mattise Thybulle and Dustin Martin.
Dustin Martin
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Bill Lawry and Kerry O’Keefe
What was your favourite ground to play at?
BA Cairns Reserve (FLINDERS)
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Playing in a 1st XI premiership 1999/00 and playing 1st XI in the same side with my dad and brother and then playing 1st XI cricket after having my leg amputated.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Obviously the premiership. But remember one game against Tootgarook in the 3s we were chasing 305 and we passed them six down with 10 overs left (82 not out). Also we chased down close to 300 in the 1s at Graydens Road against Somerville and Symesy got a big 100.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Dwayne Field, Luke Popov and Bobby Wilson
What are your hobbies?
Golf and going to watch the Tigers play at the MCG.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Remember to say hi to everyone you know. And even if I don’t know them and someone says hi to me I’ll say hi back.
What’s your occupation?
Security Guard at United Terminal at Hastings
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?
Just get the kids actively participating in the game, especially in the lower grades, to keep their enjoyment up. If we don’t have young players enjoying the game we won’t have a game to enjoy.
