Nick Taranto - it's just a game
Tyabb Cricket Club | September 02, 2024
Nick Taranto played his junior cricket for Tyabb Cricket Club in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association.
Nick graduated into the seniors as an early teenager and is the club first grade player number 479. As a teenager he moved to Frankston Peninsula to play Victoria Premier Cricket.
After a couple of seasons in Premier Cricket Nick returned to Tyabb CC where he has scored 9 centuries to date. Nick returned to Frankston Peninsula in Premier Cricket and on the 29 January 2022 he made his first grade premier cricket debut scoring 11 against Essendon.
Nick scored his maiden first grade century 100 not out coincidentally against Essendon on 3 December 2022 and is Frankston Peninsula First Grade player number 178.
Let’s find out more about Nick’s journey in the game so far.
What year you were born?
1997
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I was 8 years old playing for Tyabb’s under 11’s side. The game I think was at Mt Eliza and at that time we batted in pairs for 3 overs or so and I might’ve got out 4 times and didn’t score a run. It took about 3 games get my first run
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
My cricket started in the juniors at Tyabb, then moving up through the seniors there as well. They were big days getting driven from juniors in the morning to seniors for the afternoon. From there I moved to Frankston Peninsula and played 2 seasons there in 2013/14 and 2014/15 before moving to Dandenong CC for a short 6 rounds and going back to Tyabb. Spent the remainder of that season and the following 5 there and am now back at Frankston Peninsula
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
There was a late pull out in the 2nds and I, well I should say, mum got asked if I was allowed to play, thankfully she said yes and I debuted at 12. Debuted in the senior team at 14.
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?
Premier cricket 1st XI is the highest I’ve played. Had been hitting the ball well and making runs before I got selected. I was excited after I got the nod as it’d been a goal of mine. The game was reduced to 30 overs and we were chasing 183 and I went out to bat with the run rate high. Definitely felt the pinch of needing to score and went into my shell but learnt a lot from it, build on it now.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I am an opening batter who dabbles in a bit of leg spin that enjoys being in the field
What were your strengths as a player?
I guess I consider myself mentally tough, love it when it’s a fierce contest between bat and ball, especially in red ball cricket, and that’s allowed me to bat long periods.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
This year I had a Sunday game for Frankston and took the opportunity to play a game in Tyabb’s 5ths side which my brother Lucas captains and we dragged dad out of retirement as we’d never played together. I’ve coped a bit of hate for it but I made 174. Could’ve made a duck and it’d still be the best day of cricket I’ve had
In 1st grade for Tyabb I made 127 against Dromana on their ground, that’s probably my best innings.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I think in the 2nds at Tyabb came on when the skipper thought the game was done, maybe 4/12… was at the Pines and I think we ended up winning
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Jayde Herrick- The ability he has to just cruise to the crease and bowl whatever pace he likes, sometimes absolute rapids makes him very hard to face. Enjoyed the couple of times I’ve faced him
Adam McMaster- Quick, hits the bat hard, a lot of prick about him, was in your face. Perfect package for a fast bowler
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Yohan Maddege from Baxter. Leg spinner with a wrong one that’s hard to pick, mixes his pace, gets good revs, was hard to face
Justin Bridgeman- left arm off spinner, varied his pace, never gave you a bad one to hit. Great pressure building bowler
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Only in a couple of T20 games but Leigh Lowry. The classiest of players, hits the ball where it should go, and probably the best player of spin I’ve seen
Seb Gotch- played a game where he came in at number 3 in the first over wearing a hat in the 2nds. Hooked his first ball for 6 and made the classiest 80 not out I’ve ever seen.
Simon Dart- never failed against us. He scores of each ball, good or bad, and the way he can hit to where the field isn’t, and nothing ever phased him, no matter the scenario. He was cool and always in complete control
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
We were 4 for 60 when Kieren Voelkl went out to bat. Chasing 4/301 declared at Melbourne Uni. Kiz went on to make 148 not out off 163 balls. Ran hard, smashed the bad ball, and showed Incredible grit to bat with the lower order and get us home. Shared an unbeaten stand for the 8th wicket with Aiden Wheeler of 189.
Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Two that are very similar. Ryan Lynch at Carrum Downs and Andrew Kitson at YCW. Both not fast at all, however always move it. Lynchy always a ring field and swung it away and nipped both ways, rarely a bad one. Kitto mostly off the deck, used to get the seam to kiss the wicket and move just enough to make you look like a fool, did it over and over
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used?
I was 16 playing my 2nd game at Frankston in the 2nds, we played Carlton at home. I went in at 2/3 in the 3rd over and the bloke looked sharp… I scratched centre turned around the keeper and the slips were on the 30 yard circle… all I can say is luckily the first ball wasn’t at me or I would’ve been seriously hurt, I barely saw it and the keeper had taken it at shoulder height. It was then I realised that this is real cricket, and you have to be at the top of your game every ball to compete at the level.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
This is tough, I have to name 2. The first is Rob Hearn now at Tyabb, the fastest hands I’ve ever seen, he’s getting on now and still a jet, wish I got to see him in his prime. And I’ve only played a few games with him so far but Jacques Augustin, up the jump to the quicks is unbelievable, I’ve been in awe of him while standing at point, I hope to see a lot more.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Luke Rus at Tyabb. Bowled not bad wheels, and always in your face, was happy to run his mouth, always said what he thought however knew where the line was and never went over it. Always gave 110% for the team
Stu Plunkett- quality player, both bat and ball, loved when it gets hard, heart the size of a lion on the field. Always let his cricket talk. Never an easy moment against him
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Sam Wiese. Only a couple of games but a great cricket brain, a very good communicator, and an outstanding teacher of the game.
Who has been your funniest teammate?
Tough but I’d have to say Mitch Gill-Furness. Was our first change bowler at Tyabb, refers to himself as ‘The King’. Laughs are endless with Gilly around
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
The same bloke, ‘The King’ was at the top of his mark at Tyabb one day, we were a bit flat and needed a spark. Before he ran in to bowl, he was lifting his hands from his thighs to his shoulders to the crowd of about 6 people trying to get them up and about, then proceeded to punch the yabbie logo on his chest as he was running in. There was a few of us on the ground in laughter when the ball was dead.
Who was your childhood hero?
Ricky Ponting. The fiercest of competitors, the best batsman, a gun in the field and an outstanding leader. The full package
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Roger Federer- The most humble sportsman on the planet
Rafael Nadal- Incredible player, fighter, could finish as the GOAT
Ricky Ponting- Love to ask his advice on how to be the best player and best leader
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Without a doubt David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd. Commentating the grip cone in England is gold.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
As far as success goes, Carrum’s Roy Dore reserve, healthy average there.
Scenically, the Albert ground, the wicket is always good, and the outfield is carpet, and love the fence.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
No flags yet unfortunately… probably playing a game with Dad in the 1st XI at Tyabb, which was cool. And then from there playing with dad and Lucas as well, they’re days you don’t forget.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Was for Tyabb v Frankston YCW. We bowled them out for 160 odd and had to bat for about 15 overs on day 1 and at the close of play we were 7/31. In about the 60th over the following week we passed it 9 down, Joel Wylie made 78 not out and got us home. Was unbelievable. Shout out to Andrew Kitson who took 9 wickets including a hat trick but still lost, unlucky…
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Now this one is tough, there’s a lot to choose from. I’m going with Michael Edwards, Luke Rus and Scott Didcock
What are your hobbies?
I am a mad keen fisherman. Often after cricket I hook the boat up and go. Between that and cricket they’re very time consuming, so I don’t have much else
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
‘It’s just a game’ I can’t remember who told me and it’s only something I’ve fully understood as I’ve gotten older. When I was younger if I didn’t get runs on Saturday it ruined my week, way too much pressure on myself. I think playing 6 years of local cricket at 20 odd years of age helped understand that there was far more life than how many runs you make on Saturday.
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?
I’d like for all junior cricket coaches, from as young as under 10’s to be instructed to teach kids how to hit the ball above teaching technique. The way cricket is moving, power hitters are looked at more, technique doesn’t matter as much.
