Tristan Combridge - Two ears and one mouth
Belmont District Cricket Club | September 07, 2024
What year were you born?
I was born in 1986
Can you remember your first game of cricket? How old and do you remember how you went?
I played my first seasons of cricket in Wagga. I don't specifically remember my first game, but I can recall taking a 3 wickets and getting a photo in the local paper. I was pretty stoked to be honest.
The Belmont Hotel is a proud sponsor of the Belmont District Cricket Club
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey. Where you’ve played, clubs you’ve played for?
Certainly not a spectacular journey. I played all my juniors in ACT for North Canberra | Gungahlin. Played a couple of 4th and 5th grade games as a 17yo. Then had a summer off and then went on to play 4 seasons of City & Suburban with some friends. Started at Belmont when I was 23yo summer of 9/10.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
Technically it was with Norths as a 17yo. My first full season of grade was with Belmont as a 23yo.
What was the highest grade you played, and can you remember how you performed in your first game in that grade?
I cant remember the summer I think it was 2014/15 but we were very short the first 3 one day games in first grade with players away. I volunteered to play those games and the first being an away fixture against Toronto. Lawso and Shorty were in the team, but it was missing a lot of regulars. I got chucked the new rock bowled 10 straight took 1/28 and then slapped 20 with the bat. Was pretty chuffed but unable to repeat that standard the following week. Back to 2’s!
How would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I’d say I was a handy bowler and competent lower-grade batsman that lacked the temperament to build many worthwhile innings.
What were your strengths as a player?
To be fair quite a few of the grade cricket memes hit a bit too close to home lol. As someone not imbued with a load of natural talent I’d like to think I was very competitive and gave it a 100% every time I pulled on the shirt.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
I had an absolute day out in 4th grade at Charlestown Oval scoring 108. Peter Gledhill and I slapped them to all parts and then we nearly couldn't defend 245 off 35 overs lol. Definitely a good memory though.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
6/18 off 12 overs in Thirds for Belmont. Absolutely had on a string that arvo. I was 6/8 off 8 at one stage. Should have pulled the pin then lol.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
The first two were club mates Jace Lawson and Ray Cooper both of them troubled me in the nets. Sam Webber bowled me one day playing up in 1’s and I still haven't seen it lol.
Sam Webber
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Jake Short, Toby Gray and any other leg spinner that can hit a good length.
Toby Gray
Who were the best 3 batters you’ve played against?
Cory Loveday from Cardiff. Played a 4th grade Semi-final against him. He flicked me off his pads over the ticket booth and into the intersection in front of the Cardiff RSL. He absolutely pumped me a couple of times over a 2yr period. I copped a bit late in the day a few times in seconds but nothing else has scarred me as much as those afternoons.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Marcus plundered 90-something at Cahill one Sunday in a T20. That was spectacular.
Was there any bowler or batter in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Corey caused me some trauma.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in grade cricket?
Couple of times in 1’s and 2’s depending on the team I felt a bit outclassed. I always liked to think that if you trained hard and applied yourself you could improve your game. Then come Saturday some 17yo bowls you a snorter and you wonder what you're doing with your life lol. One young kid from Wests worked us over in 2’s at Cahill Oval. He played firsts that year and was part of their premiership team so that’s a pretty good example.
Who was the best wicketkeeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Marcus was always a great gloveman. Beau McClintock was also amazing with the gloves.
Beau McClintock
Who are the two players you admire most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
There’s three blokes that I admire Mark Littlewood, Jace Lawson & Ryan Mannix. All three were super committed to cricket, and the club and led by example.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Dora The Explorer ( Tom Dora ) purely for sentimental reasons. He captained that 3rd grade side that won the premiership so those are great memories. Watching, Mark, Marcus, Ryan Jace do their thing was something i enjoyed.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Dom Symonds by a country mile
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
I’ve got a belter. I was having a trundle in 2’s at Stockton and a beamer slipped out and nearly took this bloke’s head off (not that uncommon lol). I apologised straight away, however, the gentleman in question didn't seem to think that was sufficient and wanted to run his mouth at the end of the over, and then continued talking shit from the non-strikers the following over. I’ve reached my limit of tolerance and politely enquired if this chap would like to take his gloves off and join me on the other side of the fence to settle this dispute like men. He agreed and so I set off for the boundary at which point the umpires stepped in and settled everyone. Chris Whittock and Slav were laughing from the cordon at the pair of us. The best part of the story is the same gentleman in question came on to bowl and beamed Slav in his first over. Plenty of hooting and hollering from the sideline and a little bit of vindication was felt. There was always a good bit of Banter if Josh Muddle was coming on to chuck some pies
Who was your childhood hero?
The Big Red, Craig McDermott
Craig McDermott
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Ricky Ponting and I’d love a session with Tiger Woods and John Daley.
John Daley
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Cahill Oval spiritual heart of Belmont.
What particular team did you especially look forward to playing against?
I had some really good battles with Toronto in the lower grades I always knew they would be strong and compete hard. I played quite a few games including the 3rds premiership against their core of older players so we knew it was going to be tough game every time.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
3rds grade grand final, bowled out Toronto’s last batsmen to grab my 5fa and man of match.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Craig Slavek, Ben Strange, Peter Gledhill
What are your hobbies?
Fishing, Hunting, Spearfishing, Surfing
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
You have two ears and one mouth so listen to 2 words for every word you want to say.
What is your occupation and who do you work for
Working as a Workplace Training and Safety Systems consultant in the mines as well as running a Mexican restaurant in Crescent Head.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Still Playing. I have been playing some premier cricket in the Hastings & Macleay comp and some 1st grade in Kempsey depending on availability.
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities be to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Strengthen junior development as well as making sure there are still clear pathways for players that mature later both physically and mentally.
