Jason Nagel - cricket's a funny game, never give up
Rosebud Cricket Club | July 05, 2024
Jason Nagel had a decorated career at Rosebud Cricket Club.
For 30 years apart from one season at Mt Eliza Jason has been an incredibly influential player within the club.
He won the Rosebud CC Club Champion award in 12 seasons 1991/91, 1997/98, 2001/02, 2004/05, 2007/08, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16.
He was the Firsts Captain from 2007 to 2012 and is a very proud Life Member of the Club
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 16s vs Red Hill on the chip. Stuart Peck got 97 out of 130. I think I made about 5 and took a couple of wickets. We were shit. If Pecky didn’t make any runs we were no chance of winning.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Started at Rosebud in 87 and apart from one year at Mt Eliza in 2002/03, where I stole Brad Glenn and got him to coach Rosebud, I have only played at Rosebud. Played 30 years at Shark Park. Since retiring from playing in 2018 I am now into my 3rd year coaching Somerville and loving it. Have coached a lot of Junior Rep cricket as well which has been awesome to be involved in.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
16 against Rye in 1989/90. Was a drawn game due to weather. Made 2 runs. I remember Trevor Dangerfield won our Player of the Match that game for making 7 runs in about 3 hours to save the game for us. He got blind that night, tripped over his own feet and went head first into a ladder and busted his nose.
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?
1sts at Rosebud. I remember being selected and was as nervous as anything going into the game. Rosebud v Rye is a great rivalry and it was always tense. It was embedded in me from the start how important local rivals were to beat.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Bowler who toiled away. Fancied myself as a lower order bat who could score quickly if needed.
What were your strengths as a player?
Probably boring the batsman out by being consistent enough to hit the right areas and do a little bit with it. Loved bowling to the opposition’s best player. Loved the challenge.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
Rosebud 1sts 117 vs Delacombe Park at Delacombe in 2006. It was the same day that Pieterson and Collingwood scored a shitload at Adelaide in the Ashes.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I took 7/17 against Carrum Downs and followed it up with 6/29 in the 2nd dig.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Terry Doyle – Faced him when I was 17 at Langwarrin and shit myself. Fast and aggressive.
Robert Smith – Played him in the 2nds at Rosebud against Frankston East when I was 16. He was only available 1 week and we batted. Shit decision by the captain. He was scary quick.
Mick McKenzie – Loved winding him up as the angrier he got you knew it was coming at your head and you could prepare for it.
Jason Nagel - Rosebud Cricket Club Champion 2015-16
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Tim Birch – Smart, change of pace and aggressive.
Kaine Smith – Like Tim, just knew how to vary it up and was always on the spot.
John Forrest – Just a freak. Always landed it on the spot and set great fields.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Simon Dart – Super Competitor. If you missed line or length by a fraction he was all over you.
Gareth Wyatt – Hit the ball to parts of the ground from good balls that shouldn’t be allowed.
Stuart Peck – Had every shot and was just pure class. Could take the game away from you very quickly
Shane Beggs was a gun as well.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Kieran Richardson from Rye got 157no in a semi-final against us in 2000.
Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Craig Burch – Left Arm Slingers and just a ripping man. He took 8 fa one day against us when he was at the Bombers.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
Facing Terry Doyle at Langwarrin on the malthoid when I was about 17 and no helmet. Had the old brown mouse hanging out and never been happier making a 2nd ball duck
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Brad Glenn by the length of the Flemington straight.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Simon Dart – Played hard and just loved the battle. Brilliant Player.
Dave James – Just loves to win and goes about it in his own unique way. Have had the pleasure of playing with and against Boonie and enjoyed both sides of it. His old man was on another level.
Throw in the great Ricky Ramsdale as well. Great character of the game on the Peninsula. When he is in form with the lip, there is no one greater to listen to.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Brad Glenn – Was always ahead of the game and could work out a batsman within a ball or two and set fields to support it.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Brian Parton, Jason Mathers and Darren Kerr.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Baden Powell – Trav Kellerman and Dan Di Paolo were keeping and at slip whilst I was batting and I was having some choice words about one of their team mates who was giving me the shits about using my sons bat. They were in tears and we still have a laugh about it now.
Who was your childhood hero?
Peter Daicos
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Shane Warne, Greg Norman, Peter Daicos
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Kerry O’Keefe
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Rosebud – Real home ground advantage and we just loved playing there. Slower the better.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Have a few but playing in the 1sts with both Ashley and Patrick for a season is the proudest thing in cricket I have done.
Playing in a 1sts Premiership with Patrick and the same year Ashley won the 3rds flag is also special.
Jason Nagel, Ashley Nagel, Patrick Nagel
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
We beat Frankston YCW reverse outright in a semi which was amazing but I think the 1998/99 Semi Final when we beat Somerville in our first year in District when they were the raging favourites to win after finishing on top and we were 4th. We passed them 9 down and it had everything, Mankads, push and shove, it was a great game to be involved in.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Anyone that wants to have a beer and has a story to tell. There are many funny stories out there and it would be great to hear them all but I will start with Brian Parton, Darren Kerr, Nick Conduit and anyone from the Over 50s.
Mornington Peninsula Over 50s cricket team December 2020
What are your hobbies?
Watching Collingwood with the kids and Sunday Afternoon in the Shed/Garden and Sunday Sips – It is the best day.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Crickets a funny game, never give up.
Always enjoy other people’s success.
What’s your occupation?
General Manager of the MPCA
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?
Develop strong relationships with all clubs
Retention of Junior Cricketers is the biggest challenge the game faces and we need all clubs to work together to ensure it happens.
