Peter Burkhart - singles, singles, singles
Western Suburbs District Cricket Club Sydney | December 11, 2023
Peter Burkhart is the highest run scorer in the history of Western Suburbs District Cricket Club.
In total Peter scored 10,512 runs for the club, of which 8,850 were scored in First Grade at an average of 31.83 and 12 centuries.
Peter is the proud owner of Western Suburbs First Grade cap number 532 and a Life Member of the club
Peter was also regarded as one of the best fieldsman in Sydney Grade Cricket. So good was his fielding it prompted former Australian Cricket captain Michael Clarke to say “he’s one of the best fieldsman I’ve ever played with”
In this interview we find out more about Peter, his cricket, his team mates and the advice he has for young cricketers.
All cricketers have a nickname, what’s yours’?
Burky NumNum (Cue the 1968 movie “The Party”)
What year were you born?
1971
Where did you go the high school?
Trinity Grammar School, Summer Hill
How old were you when you started playing with Wests?
15
What Grade did you make your debut?
5th Grade Vs Mosman, Balmoral Oval as a bowler Batted 10 (13* and 2 fa)
Do you know your Wests cap number?
Yes, 532
What age did you make your first grade debut?
18
What was your best cricket moment?
Scoring 113 in 1994-95 Semi Final against strong Bankstown side.
Who was the biggest influence in your cricket career?
Phil Harmer and Neil D’Costa
Who was the funniest Wests team mate?
Jamie Sullivan or Nathan Austin
Who was the most annoying team mate?
Tom Shiner or Anthony Clarke-Bruce, both for different reasons
Who is your favourite all time cricketer?
Viv Richards
What was the best win you were involved in?
After finishing up at Wests in 2007 and taking a break for a few years, occasionally I would play some games for Burwood Briars in Sydney Shires Competition. In 2014-15 I was fortunate to be included in their 1st Grade side as 43yr old rookie under captain Jason Holley. That season we made the Grand Final, and I batted at No 6. We were in trouble when I walked in at 4-72. However, before I had even faced my first ball we had slumped to now 7-72. We had lost 4 for 0! I put on a partnership of 127 with Briars Club Legend ‘AJ’ Jalalaty who went on to make 92 before we were bowed out for 277. I then watched the incredibly talented Dan McLaughlan take 6-63 off almost 29 straight overs of relentless fast bowling. This was my very first (and only) official Premiership in competitive outdoor cricket!
Back Row - Peter Burkhart, Daniel McLauchlan, Marc Seymour, Chris Hart, Simon Nardo, Seb Blaszczyk, Brad Whitfield
Front Row – Ian Gibson, Andrew Jalalty, Jay Holley (Captain), Maxwell Squire - (Jack Kovacic played Grand Final for Ian Gibson)
If you’re in the middle seat of the middle row of Qantas QF1 flight to London who would you choose to be on your left and right?
My wife Aniele of course, and my father Jack.
Which two magpie players would you choose to be next to?
Christopher O’Neil and Phillip Hughes
What made you such a good fielder?
I think it was my mindset about fielding… I really loved it and always felt that I could change the game – every ball! Save 2 runs here, run a guy or two out there, take a diving catch to turn the match. I practiced a lot more than I realised at training and at home, because I loved it. As a consequence, I attacked the ball more than anyone else!
Did you have any cricketing superstitions?
Always started with putting on my right shoe or right pad on first because it was always important to ‘start off on the right foot!’
Which ground in Sydney club cricket did you enjoy playing at the most?
Pratten Park obviously but it wasn’t always the place for batting. North Sydney Oval was always a buzz.
Western Suburbs First Grade Minor Premiers 1994-95
Back row - Gavan Twining, Daniel Ryan, Daniel Horsley, Matt Whitby, Dudley Slater, Darren Bull, Michael Swan, Anthony Dwyer
Front row - Peter Burkhart, Scott Atkinson (WK), Anthony McQuire, Scott Jacobson (Captain), Brad Walsh, Neil D'Costa, Chris Ashenden
Who was the fastest bowler you ever faced?
There are a few that spring to mind - Simon Cook, Dan Horsley, Steve Nikitaris, Brett Lee, Matthew Nicholson, Scott Thompson, and Wayne Holdsworth. But I recall one delivery in particular from Balmain’s Andrew Jones that still lives with me after it caught the shoulder of my bat one afternoon and half volleyed into the fence at Drummoyne Oval.
Who was the best spinner you played against?
Greg Matthews by a mile
What’s the best advice you ever received?
“Singles, singles, singles…” & “You can never score hundreds at one tempo” Phil Harmer
What advice would you offer a young 13 year old who has the ambition of playing test cricket?
You will most likely never make it if you are thinking about the fame and fortune. You must love the game and learn from past players.
What are your hobbies?
Golf, Indoor Cricket, Uber Driving for my kids, Beer and Wine tasting
What is your occupation?
Business Development Manager in the Mortgage Industry
Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general?
Absolutely… Respect, Responsibility, Reliability and Loyalty! Playing cricket has connected with me with so many good people both here and overseas. It continues to do so even to this day! It has also taught me how to interact and cope in different team situations (both good and bad) and how to find resolutions or ways to improve. It has also taught me how to be part of a community and that you are ‘always’ representing your brand! Finally, it has made me appreciate the power of a positive mindset and quite often it might have to coincide with being a little patient as well.
