Jamie Heath - enjoyed being the strike bowler
Belmont District Cricket Club | January 08, 2025
Jamie Heath, the President of Belmont District Cricket Club, is a former first-class fast bowler with an impressive cricketing journey.
Jamie represented New South Wales in six first-class matches, claiming 13 wickets with best figures of 3 for 37.
Before making the move to Sydney to play NSW Premier Cricket for Manly Warringah District Cricket Club, Jamie began his career with Belmont in the Newcastle Grade competition.
From 1996 to 2004, Jamie made a significant impact at Manly, taking 300 first-grade wickets at an outstanding average of 18.67, including 10 five-wicket hauls in NSW Premier Cricket.
He later continued his cricketing journey in Western Australia, playing for Fremantle, before returning to his roots at Belmont District Cricket Club in Newcastle.
Let’s dive deeper into Jamie’s remarkable journey in cricket!
What year were you born?
ANZAC Day 1977.
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
I was 10, Oct 1987, Under 11's Swansea-Caves Vs Easts at Quinn Park Swansea. We bowled first, I got 4 for 14 off 7 overs, we only lost 2 or 3 wickets to pass their score, so I didn't get a bat.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey.
3 yrs for Swansea Caves before we couldn't get the numbers for a team, then moved to Belmont for U14s and U15s. I played 2 games of 5th grade at the end of the U15s season and was told to "don't worry about juniors next season". The first game the following season was in 2nd grade for Belmont, then 1st grade for the remainder of that season. 3 more seasons for Belmont before moving to Manly, 8 seasons there. Then moved to WA and played for Fremantle for the next 14 years, before returning to Newcastle and playing for Belmont again. In between the above clubs, I played for Swansea High, Hunter Region CHS, NSW CHS, Newcastle U14/15/16/17/21/Open rep teams, Hunter Academy of Sport, AIS Australian Cricket Academy, Swalwell (in UK), ACT invitation XI, WA 2nd XI, NSW U17/19/21/Sheffield Shield teams.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
2 games of 5th grade when I was 14.
What was the highest grade you played, and can you remember how you performed in your first game in that grade?
NSW Sheffield Shield side Vs WA at the WACA. Pretty mediocre figures for the game, but the first and only wicket for the game was bowling Justin Langer through the gate!
How would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Now..... old and sore! Then, Fast Bowler.
What were your strengths as a player?
I think I enjoyed taking on the responsibility as the strike bowler, to make early breakthroughs for the team. I tried to set the goal of getting the 5 best batsmen in the opposition side out, especially any representative players. At 6'7' I tried to make the most of my height and bounce by bowling a consistently difficult length, swinging and seaming away from the right-hander. I certainly wasn't the fittest bowler, but I made sure a spell at the end of the day was just as quick as it was at the beginning.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
I think I scored a 92 in the UK in 2001, but I'll just say 64 for Fremantle.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
8 for 62 for Manly, I think versus Parramatta at Manly Oval.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Brett Lee, we played a lot of cricket together and a lot against each other, he was always the stand-out in our age group for pace and his action just looked smooth and effortless. My debut game for NSW was the game before he got picked for Australia and that was the quickest I've ever seen anyone bowl!
Don Nash, similar to Brett, a lot games with and a lot against Nashy. Deceptively quick with very good wrist control, could swing it both ways and very late.
Allan Donald, I was fortunate enough to play against him at the SCG. Not a fun game for any quicks as it was an absolute belter, but to play against someone I admired and loved watching bowl as a kid was awesome!
Allan Donald
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Brad Hogg, I always prided myself on watching spinners hand closely, but his wrong'un was very difficult to pick up!
Mark McInness, I played a lot more games with him than against him for which I'm glad. NSW Country Colts Vs City Colts at Bankstown Oval I swear he got half the wickets for the game with his flipper!
The combo pair of Mark Curry and David Wrixon. When I first started playing grade cricket for Belmont this was probably the first time I had seen how two good spinners could destroy or tie down a team so effectively. Left and right hand fingers spinners coming on after me and sometimes bowling 30 overs each for the day.
Brad Hogg
Who were the best 3 batters you’ve played against?
Jamie Cox, in an era where an Australian 2nd XI could beat most international sides comfortably the Tasmania top order was just scary and he was so difficult to stop from scoring nor did he get out.
Lance Klusener, I've never seen anyone hit the ball so hard!
Mike Hussey, left-handed version of Cox! The margin for error with your line and length was just so small with these guys.
Jamie Cox
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Mitchell Marsh broke the 1st grade batting record for Fremantle with 208, just dominated the attack with trademark powerful hitting.
Mitchell Marsh
Was there any bowler or batter in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Corey Richards was a tough batsman to bowl to, technically sound and hardly ever even played and missed. Certainly, someone you wouldn't sledge or speak to..... definitely didn't want to give him any extra incentive to fire up.
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?
To be honest, if you're playing in a strong competition every time you make it to "the next level" it really should feel like a big step up. That’s what makes you want to come back for more, to be better, to get that next wicket or run. If every game was easy or you didn't get nervously excited..... why play? One game in particular that stands out was my first NSW Colts game. NSW Colts used to come to Newcastle and play a warm-up game against us every season before they played the NSW Country Colts. After the Country Colts game, they’d play the Sydney Gregory Cup against Qld. I bowled well against the Colts for Newcastle and NSW Country and unfortunately or fortunately they had a couple of fast bowlers injured just before the Qld game, so I got selected. I was 17 and opening the bowling against Andrew Symonds and Matthew Mott, that was scary enough. It’s all a little bit of a blur, but I would guess around my third over Symonds has cut me for six into the North Sydney Oval grandstand. Ball probably didn't get higher than 3m off the ground the whole way. Just flat and hard. Next over he has done it again but this time a little more "up and under", kind of more like a helicopter. This time the ball hit the very top of the same grandstand roof, bounced once and then ran down the other side and out of the ground. Things were getting scarier! During this time Motty was scoring runs as well, just not hitting the ball as hard. I was wondering at this point if I may have been selected a little prematurely. Luckily next over Symonds decided to nick one to first slip for me and the following over Motty caught behind trying to hook me. Big step, a big eye opener and a great experience.
Andrew Symonds
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I think the longer you play with anyone keeper the more you realise it’s impossible for them to be perfect..... very tough job. For that reason, I won't mention anyone I played against, as I didn't get to see them day in day out. Craig Glassock at Manly was my 1st-grade captain as well for many years, he is probably the most consistent of all and worked hard training-wise. Special mention to Chris Fenner at Fremantle for taking a stumping off me in a T20 game..... took the ball above his head and bails off in a flash...... a little embarrassing for me though.
Craig Glassock
Who are the two players you admire most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Brett Lee was a naturally talented athlete in most things he did and he was a stand-out for our generation in pace, but his competitiveness and determination to dominate the opposition was outstanding. Far too often you see a bowler bowl a great ball, get the edge and unfortunately, there’s a drop catch. The bowler’s easy options are to get angry, frustrated, flustered or just drop their head in general. Many moons ago NSW Vs Vic U19’s semi-final at Bankstown Oval, the pitch had flattened out and we urgently needed to get the last two bats out so we could get into their tail. Binger to the rescue. Nick! Slips cordon dropped. Rather than spit the dummy, he runs in again Nick! Slips cordon dropped again. Third ball runs in again Nick! Slips cordon caught. Vics all out in less than an hour. I don’t care who dropped those catches, but the fact he never gave up, he just got on with it, ball after ball it was brilliant to watch.
Shawn Bradstreet was an absolute workhorse for Manly with the bat and ball. He always led by example and was one of the most passionate players I’ve played with. He just had this great ability to get the most out of the guys around him and I think most of us would say if you were going to war you would want him next to you.
Brett Lee
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
That’s a tough one as each captain was definitely different and had different strengths. Mark Curry at Belmont, Craig Glassock and Shawn Bradstreet for the majority at Manly, Ryan Shuttleworth and Chris Wood for the majority at Fremantle. I know keeping and captaining can have a lot going on and therefore be overwhelming, but I also think it’s the best position to see the game from and to make those tough executive decisions. Because Glas did it so well I’ll give him the points for this one!
Mark Curry
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Jeeze that’s another tough question. There have been plenty of characters. I only played a handful of games with and against him and they were probably all NSW Country Colts games. Craig Trindall! Great bloke, every time he opened his mouth it seemed to be something funny and no topic was off limits. Sometimes he’d be a bit dryer and sneaky and bite back, like someone had offended him and then he’d burst out laughing. Hard to concentrate when laughing so much, but very enjoyable cricket with Trig.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
There’s always plenty of stories, but this one does make me smile. Fremantle Vs Willetton 1st grade semi-final. We had already won first innings, and we had a lead of about 180, but there was a lot of time left (80 overs I think). Cameron Bancroft was opening the batting, and I had already nicked him off in the first innings, thank god, as he was scoring lots of runs that season. My calf was hanging by a thread, and yes I know this is an “old man’s injury” because that’s what everyone kept telling me. I was 38 at the time, give me a break. Ashton Turner was our captain and he said “I know your struggling, just get Bangers out and then you can go off the field and ice”. I thought this was a great idea. I assume I was just old, grumpy and in pain because the openers were blocking the ball, letting balls go, behaving how openers should, but I was getting very frustrated by this as I assumed they were going to come after us hard to get back into the game. I may have said a couple of little things as I’m sure the slips were as well. Then, very uncharacteristic of me, I snapped. Cameron let the ball go and I just stood there and said “BORING”. To which I received a little vicious stare. Next ball Cameron placed it neatly just to the offside of the sightscreen for 6. I probably deserved that. Again, I charged into bowl and he let it go….. again. I think the best description of what I did next would be placing my hands in a position to do a “Tarzan Call”, then at the top of my voice yelled out “BORING”. Next ball I think he tried to put me over the sight screen and instead nicked off. Two overs later I was off the field wrapped in ice and contently chuckling to myself!
Who was your childhood hero?
Dennis Lillee, then Greg Matthews, then Glenn McGrath.
Dennis Lillee
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Michael Jordan, Greg Norman and Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
What was your favourite ground to play at?
There are lots of fantastic grounds that tick the box for varying reasons, getting a big wicket haul, an awesome victory or just the history of who’s played there before you, but if you can’t answer this question by saying your home ground you might have to change clubs! I was fortunate enough to have 3 home grounds that were hard and fast with good bounce and carry, but flat. You got out of them what you put in and so did our batsmen. Cahill Oval Belmont, Manly Oval and Stevens Reserve Fremantle. Manly was probably the prettiest though and always had good vision around the ground.
What particular team did you especially look forward to playing against?
Fairfield Liverpool in Sydney were always a really tough but fun game over the years. At certain times our teams had an abundance of state squad, colts and 2nd XI players all training together through the week and then trying to kill each other on a Saturday grade game. They had Nash, Bollinger, Krejza, Lambert, Clark and we had Bevan, Bradstreet, Glassock, Phelps, Cameron, McInness, Cruickshank and me. The games were never over till the end. Claremont Nedlands and Subiaco Floreat in Perth were also great games and I’d always have a look to see when we were playing them. Charlestown in Newcastle was always our biggest rival.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Sheffield Shield debut was obviously special, playing South Africa at the SCG was awesome and there’s been lots of other games that were brilliant like One Day, T20 finals or even taking big wicket hauls. But after 32 years of grade cricket to only have one 2 day final win and to have played an important role in that game, that has to be it. 1993/94 Belmont Vs Charlestown at No1 Sportsground, great game, right down to the wire, 5 for 38 off 15 overs. For anyone who’s won multiple 2-day finals, you should think yourself lucky as they are not easy to come by.
1993/1994 Belmont District Cricket Club Premiership Winning side
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbecue?
I can’t name 3. I love a BBQ and love seeing teammates becoming best mates and having seen generations of players not only playing together on the field but socialising together during the season and off-season, being part of wedding parties, becoming godfathers, basically living out of each other’s pockets. The bonds and friendships made through cricket not only help your team be stronger and more successful, they become lifelong. I remember holding a BBQ at my house in Perth one year just before Xmas. Fremantle probably had a hot and cold start to the season, and I think we needed a bit more team bonding rather than a full on club social event. Hot WA arvo/evening pool/beer/BBQ and plenty of stories and banter. It was probably Ashton Turner’s debut season in 1st grade and he was sitting across the table from me and in between the laughter I remember him piping up and saying “we should do this more often” and I just said “Yes we should”. Its not difficult, its necessary.
What are your hobbies?
Cricket obviously, beach, fishing, cooking, playing golf badly
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Your going to receive lots of coaching and advice from lots of different people and coaches during you sporting life, they’re not all right and their not all wrong. It’s your job to listen, take it all in, use what works for you and spit out the rest -Dennis Lillee
What is your occupation?
Self-employed mortgage broker…… call me if you need a home loan!
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Belmont District Cricket Club President, one of the Senior Coaches and still silly enough to be playing!
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?
Selection process – pick the best performing, most consistent grade players, no matter what their age. Youth policy and being picked on potential only goes so far and to see success in a selection a year or two later and say “see we were right”, that’s a joke! Someone who was inform could have scored a 1000-run season in that time. But you’ll never know because you’re planning for the future. Make sure everyone is aware of this with good clear communication. You’ll also never need to justify a selection.
Training – this is more so aimed at fast bowlers, but all would benefit. I understand that not everyone likes the beach or has any experience body boarding, surfing, surf ski, kayaking, but these activities coordinate the legs and core and core and shoulders exceptionally well. This is because they are natural movements, with complicated resistance and impacts because of the environment around you. Waves, wind, swell, rips and currents keep you under constant pressure. Besides the fact its fun, the better you get, the more you want to catch the next wave (bigger, better, faster). Suddenly you check your watch and you been catching a wave, getting dumped, recovering, paddling back out and doing it all again for 3 hrs. Without knowing it the speed and strength has become power and endurance. I definitely would be considered on the thinner, more brittle physique side of things, yet I was able to bowl at reasonable pace, 30 overs a game, over many years with minimal injuries (and still playing/bowling now). My worst injuries occurred after off seasons that involved predominantly gym work. Never seemed to have any issues when all I did was bowl and go to the beach. Introducing or doing more natural activities as part of fitness and maintenance would make a big difference to reducing injuries.
