Jason Hamilton-Smith - listen, adapt, ask questions
Heatherhill Cricket Club | December 20, 2023
Jason Hamilton-Smith is a Life Member of Heatherhill Cricket Club.
He played 210 1stXI games for the club and has scored over 6,000 runs for the club and taken in excess of 175 wickets.
Jason was the Heatherhill Club Champion in 1999/2000 and was part of the Heatherhill Victorian T20 Championships Premiership winning team in 2007/08.
Let’s find out more about Jason’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1972
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Under 12s for Police & Citizens Cricket Club in Frankston. Don’t remember anything about the game. I must have loved it as I’m still going.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I started juniors at Police & Citizens which folded a year or so later and everyone went to Delacombe Park. Played both juniors and seniors at Delacombe Park. I was invited to play at Melbourne in 1991 and played there for three seasons. Came back to the MPCA in 1994 to Heatherhill Cricket Club where I remain to this day. I was lucky enough to play Country Week in 1999 and 2006.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
Played seconds at Delacombe Park in 1987 when I was fourteen or fifteen. Played in back to back flags under the great Mick Crawford in my first two years of seniors.
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 would say the two Country Week series. Every game was highly competitive against teams with a few stars and great depth. It was amazing to be able to play alongside the best players in the MPCA.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
A left arm opening bowler who was able to transition to an opening batter and non-bowler.
What were your strengths as a player?
I would like to think that I was hard play against with both the bat and ball.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
164 in Provincial for Heatherhill at Mt Martha in about 2005. Made 170 not out in the seconds a few years ago against Rosebud.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
7/46 against Pines in about 1994 at Bruce Park.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Terry Doyle - Fast, competitive, and dangerous over a long period of time.
Scott Phillips – Hit the bat hard as well and doing plenty with the ball. He was even more of a handful when bowling in combination with Paul Hartle who was every bit as good.
Rodney Hogg – Would have been terrifying in his prime. Still had the great action, intimidating stare, and serious pace when he was at Red Hill.
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Tim Birch – Had all the tricks with great control.
Paul Bradley – Relentless line and length.
Jim Boyd – Made the ball spit at you from outside off stump.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
The batters that always seemed to make big runs whenever I played them were:
Daniel Warwick - A class above just about everyone else.
Simon McEvoy – He was the biggest wicket in some star-studded Langwarrin teams. Consistently made runs at the top of the order.
Gary Cooper - Played against him three times and he made three centuries. Could have played with one hand in his pocket.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I’ve seen so many great knocks by some awesome batters that I couldn’t nominate just one.
The innings that stands out to me though was Brett ‘Chook’ Upton’s against Red Hill at the ‘Chip’.
We were quite a few down chasing a moderate score with a bit of work to do and a brittle lower order. Chook pulled Terry Doyle in front of square one bounce for four. Terry’s next ball broke Chook’s jaw in four places. He stayed out there with the help of a bandage holding his face together and a can of Fanta to rinse the blood from his mouth. Chook got us home and continued to hook and pull Terry. I can’t remember how many he even made. I think there’s talk about building a statue for him in front of the ground.
Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Adrian Mack.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
One of my first few 1st XI games at Delacombe was against Frankston YCW in about 1988. I was at the non-strikers end when Chuck Howsten hit the handle of Colin Bowes’ bat in front of his face and the ball sailed over slips for four. The tirade from Howsten telling Col how many ways he was going to maim him was something else. Quickly made me realise that these blokes play for keeps.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Brad Glenn.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
John Hille - A Heatherhill and MPCA legend. Always loved the challenge. A magnificent cricketer and ultimate competitor. An absolute joy to play alongside and bat with.
Shane Beggs – A fantastic bat against any type of bowling. Respected by everyone he played with and against.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
David ‘Scabs’ Martin always seems to be a ball or two ahead of the game. He thrives on the competition.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Dwayne Field was hilarious. Simon Parrott always had funny things happen to him.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Justin Bridgeman told John Hille during a game against Long Island that he was too old and should retire. JH agreed with the suggestion but would make a point to play one game a year just to make runs against whoever he was playing for. There might have been some expletives and other insults thrown in from both.
Who was your childhood hero?
Alan Border and Wayne Schimmelbusch.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
I don’t think I can name any athlete. Anyone who has made it to or succeeded at the top level of any sport has a story to tell that’s worth listening too.
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
You can’t beat Richie Benaud
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Bruce Park.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
2005/06 Provincial Grand Final. A super team filled with great blokes. Our first Provincial flag since 1987 with plenty of lost semi-finals in between.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
When Mark Fisher hit 24 off the last over to win when we were 9 down off Brian McCue against Long Island at Graydens Road in about 1996.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Pip Heath, Mark Fisher and Matt Meagher are three blokes who have stuck by Heatherhill through thick and thin. Happy to cook sausages for those gentlemen any day.
What are your hobbies?
Played hockey in the winter months for a fair chunk of my life and am still trying to go around. (slowly though). I enjoy watching my daughters’ sport and spending time in the garden.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
I don’t remember any one specific piece of worldly advice. I think you should try and take as much in as you can. Listen to what people say, take notice of what’s going on, be prepared to learn, adapt, and ask questions. Take from that what best works for you.
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?
Safeguard the viability of grass roots clubs. Do whatever it takes to get more boys and girls playing and loving the game.
