Adrian Gallagher - to be a good cricketer, look like a cricketer
Baxter Cricket Club | October 16, 2023
Adrian Gallagher is a 2nd generation player at Baxter Cricket Club after his father played for the club during the 1980s.
Adrian has won premierships at Baxter, he captained many teams and has a long association with Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association. He continues to contribute to cricket in the region as an umpire in the Association.
Let’s find out more about Adrian’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1976
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I was 13 playing U/14 at Dandenong Methodist CC, got out LBW for a duck I think.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I started in U/14s at Dandenong Methodist CC. Graduated through the years to the 1s as an opening bat at the age of 17-18. My family moved to Ferntree Gully in late 1995 which coincided with a family friend being appointed Captain-Coach at Ferntree Gully Footballers CC and where I started playing.
I moved back to Frankston in late 1999 and joined Baxter CC as Dad had played there in the early 1980s. I played in a two lower grade flags at Baxter while my music career took off. I moved back to FTGFCC for one season before I finished my career at Skye CC in the final six seasons.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
I think my first senior game was with my Dad who was Captain of the 4ths or 5ths at Dandenong Methodist CC. Would’ve been 13 or 14. I remember being a sub one day against Coomoora at Police Paddocks ground, fielding at deep mid-wicket, a bloke skied a ball out to me and I somehow took the catch.
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 was lucky enough to have played first XI cricket at all the four clubs I represented. My first 1st XI game I think was in 1994/95 with Dandenong Methodist CC having made 3 or 4 consecutive 50s in the 2s. Not sure what I scored in my first game.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
In my early years I was thought of as a top order bat but in the back end of my career was more of a bowler. Overall, pretty average though!!
What were your strengths as a player?
Again I used to think I was a batsmen but in the end my bowling was definitely the strength. Being Captain likely helped this though. Pretty safe hands too.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
My highest score was during a period where I was playing 5s at Baxter CC. My priority was playing in my cover band but I was still able to play a few games. Craig Orr and I opened the batting one day at the corner oval at Baxter and we put on 340 for the first wicket. We both tonned up. 133 I think was my score.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
During my stint as Captain of the Skye 2s I had a couple of good seasons personally taking about 60 wickets over two seasons. One game against Carrum Downs, after doing the Muddy Hell obstacle course on the Saturday morning, I arrived at Skye, had a shower, bowled 27 overs and took 7 for 39. We won one of the very few games.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Stuart Battern - he played at Doveton during my time at Dandenong Methodist CC. We played a game at Pargeter Reserve in Endeavour Hills which was an old tip site and their home ground. I recall opening the batting on an uncovered wicket and a ball hitting me on the tongue of my Puma Sheffield spikes then the next ball off the same length nicked me on the nose. Loved playing on turf!!
Bobby Gray - was my teammate at Baxter in the early noughties. Was genuinely frightening to face in centre wicket practice and even scarier trying to catch edges off of him behind the wicket. Just crazy fast.
Andrew Chapman - played with Chappy at Ferntree Gully Footballers after he finished playing with Hawthorn. Big, aggressive and pretty rapid. Was always tough to face genuinely quick left armers.
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Ben Davenport- had a great rivalry getting each other out LBW season after season.
Linton Toms- played at Belgrave when I was at Ferntree Gully Footballers CC. Left arm orthodox, one of my better 1st XI knocks was against him. Hit him for six at Pickett’s on to Commercial Road!
Rohan Simpson - played one season with me at Skye CC before moving on to Premier cricket but was an amazing bowler for a young bloke. Worst net sessions trying to bat against him.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Brett Polson – Doveton. Made a great and match winning 100 against us at DMCC in a Semi-final for Doveton.
Pete Wilkins - Frankston YCW. Really stylish player with a great technique. Bloody hard to get out.
Rhys Elmi - Officiating the MPCA Peninsula GF in 2019/20. A match winning knock.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Rob Gruer - Smacked a more than run-a-ball knock that saw my last match for Skye beat top of the ladder Ballam Park.
For the record I didn’t get a bowl, made a third ball blob batting in sunnies (as I’d broken glasses) and never played again!
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Absolutely disliked facing Heath Goodman when playing at Baxter. Not quick, but the left arm always had me struggling.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used?
During my time as a youngster opening the batting at DMCC, I really struggled. I got out bowled a lot and got found out. Wondered if I was good enough to be playing 1s.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
My old man Eric was a sensational fielder behind the wicket. Whether it be with the gloves or in the slips cordon, he was someone I always aspired to be as good as.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Darren Uccello - Baxter - An absolutely fierce competitor who set really high standards when he came to Baxter from Frankston. Wished I played more games with him.
Most young blokes always look up to their old man and I was no different. I always wanted to be as good as he was.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Phil Parsons Dandenong Methodists CC - The best bloke I ever played with, in both ability and motivation. Never played with a more skilled player in all three disciplines.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Again, Phil Parsons at DMCC was the funniest and the best sledger I’ve ever taken the field with.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Hard to recall one instance from the 25 years I played, but it is something I really miss about playing. As an umpire now, I still enjoy listening to the banter between players.
Who was your childhood hero?
Watching Viv Richards in his prime was the best. The sheer confidence in his own ability was amazing to watch.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Luke Hodge, Jason Dunstall and Steven Gerrard.
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Richie Benaud … daylight second
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Skye was the best local ground I ever played regularly at.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Even though they were in the lower grades, the tons I made. And the lower grade flags I played in at Baxter.
Somehow managed to play 1st XI at all four clubs I played at which is pretty cool in retrospect.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
The premiership I played in at Baxter against a dominant Delacombe Park side.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Lee Leathem, Adam Gale and Mark Woolard
What are your hobbies?
Umpiring, Walking, Being a Father.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
If you want to be a good cricketer, you need to look like a good cricketer - Des Nolan
What’s your occupation?
FT Education student.
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?
Try to emphasise the importance of red ball cricket … encourage junior participation
