Adam Warren - honest and determined
Randwick Petersham Cricket Club | February 01, 2023
Adam Warren was a fast bowler who made his first grade debut for Randwick (prior to the merger) in 1994 and went on to take 311 first grade wickets at an average of 19.68 before moving to Melbourne at the start of the 2003/04 season.
In Melbourne Adam took 226 first grade wickets at an average of 21.13 and was a premiership winning player with St Kilda Cricket Club.
As a first grade bowler in Premier Cricket across NSW and Victoria from 1994 to 2011 Adam took 537 wickets at an average 20.29 including 16 5 wicket hauls. A marvellous career.
Adam played in their very first 1st grade game with Randwick Petersham in September 2001 and was awarded with cap #9
Let’s find out more about Adam’s cricketing journey
Welcome Adam
Firstly, what year were you born?
1975
Do you remember your first ever game of cricket?
I was 7 I think, played for Waverley Juniors and took 6-2 (hattrick included). My mum still has the cork ball from the game I think
Where did you play your junior cricket?
Waverley Jnrs & Marcellin in Sydney
Which clubs have you played for?
Randwick, Randwick Petersham, Prahran & St Kilda
How old were you when you first played grade cricket, what grade and for which club?
I was 16 & I played 5th grade for Randwick
What age did you make your first grade debut in Sydney?
19
Adam Warren cap #9 - front row second from the right
What prompted the move from Sydney to Melbourne?
I had played NSW 2nd XI a couple of times but didn’t get a contract, a year later the selectors weren’t really looking at me so I thought I better have a go elsewhere. I was 27 and didn’t want to be one of those guys who spoke about how they could have played 1st class if they went somewhere else, so I had a crack. Reality was that I probably wasn’t quite good enough and that’s ok, I’m still happy with how everything turned out
What was your highest score in Sydney First Grade?
53 not out
What was your highest score in Melbourne First Grade?
51 not out
What were your best bowling figures in Sydney First Grade?
7 for 36 n North Sydney at Coogee Oval
What were your best bowling figures in Melbourne First Grade?
5 for 9 v Melbourne at Bill Lawry Oval
Who was the 3 quickest bowlers you came up against?
Brett Lee, Wayne Holdsworth & Shane Harwood
Who was the 3 best spinners you played against?
Greg Matthews, Stuart MacGill & Adrian Tucker
Who were the top 3 batsman you played against in Sydney?
Greg Mail – amazing concentration and ability to manipulate the ball. Very tough to get out
Michael Slater – hadn’t seen anyone with such fast hands & bat speed until we played him. Always seemed to have bowlers on the back foot
Graeme Rummans – Just eased his way to runs constantly, you’d look up and he’d be on 30 in no time. Got to see a lot of him when we played together in Melbourne so I might be taking a bit of that memory too
Adam bowling for St Kilda
Who were the top 3 batsman you played against in Melbourne?
David Hussey – destructive player who was always looking to attack. Was always hard to get into a rhythm against him
Brad Hodge – Always looked like he was on 60+ no matter what the situation. Hit length balls to multiple area’s too which made it hard to bowl against
Warren Ayres – could play all around the ground and always was tough to get out. I only got to see him at the end of his career but he still had amazing talent and grit
Who were the two players in Sydney and in Melbourne you admired most in terms of their skills and competitive spirit?
Sydney: Grant Lambert – amazing player, both bat and ball. Would charge in all day and then would be first to have a beer afterwards and have a laugh
Melbourne: Darren Groves – Extremely talented bowler who just seemed to work you over all day. Was always great value after the game too, great fella
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand in either Sydney or Melbourne grade cricket?
Graeme Rummans – scored unbeaten 100 in a one day game against Essendon and single handedly won the game. We were about 8 down and needed 20 off last two overs & he got all of them. It was amazing to watch
Who was the best wicket keeper you played with or against?
Playing with – very tough one in Daryl Parmenter or Damon Rowan, both extremely good. Daryl was a better batter than Damo but Damo maybe just on the keeping side.
Playing against – Nathan Pilon. Amazing hands up to the stumps. Was also an incredible batter. (Great to have a beer with also!)
How would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Honest and determined, got the most out of myself & achieved probably more than most thought I would.
Yorker or Bouncer?
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Been very lucky to be in some good teams but probably winning the premiership in my first season with St Kilda v Melbourne. We were the two best teams and played a pretty tough game. It’s a great memory
Who’s been the biggest influence in your cricket career?
Andrew Millican. Was my first 1st Grade captain and was a mentor for my whole career. Still talk to him today about cricketing things.
Who was the funniest cricketing team mate?
Andrew Harrison. A Like minded friend who always found ways to make cricket a good time.
Who was the most annoying team mate?
Rob Quiney before the age of 30. Deliberate pest
Who is your favourite all time cricketer?
Can’t split Glen McGrath & Viv Richards
What was the best win you were involved in?
Winning the One Day Final against Prahran for St Kilda. We only got about 140 I think and they were 0-33 off two overs. It came down to the last over and we won by 3 I think. Great win
If you’re in the middle seat of the middle row of Qantas QF1flight to London which team mates would you choose to on your left and right?
Andrew Harrison – would have me drinking & laughing for the full distance.
Greame Rummans – would be good value for the first 2 hours of beers, then Gaz Rummans would show up and he’d be GREAT value for the rest of the trip or until he fell asleep
Did you have any cricketing superstitions?
Not really, always liked being fully ready to bat 2 wickets ahead if that counts. Didn’t like rushing getting gear on
Most favourite ground to play at?
Sydney – Coogee Oval, no better viewing ground than that.
Melbourne – Junction Oval, just a perfect cricket ground
What’s the best advice you ever received?
“You’re good enough to be here, believe it”. Once you believe in yourself and what you can do, you’re a far better chance of performing at your best
Are you still involved in Cricket and if so, in what capacity?
I just retired from Sub District (Melbourne version of Shires Cricket in Sydney) a year ago and have a young family. So other than talking to former team mates and following results not much really
Adam on the left with Graeme Rummans in the middle and Lachie Graf on the right - premiership winners at Caulfield Cricket Club
What advice would you offer a young 18 year old who has the ambition of playing test cricket?
Be self-motivated to push yourself to train when nobody’s watching or when you’re not necessarily going to get credit for it. Results follow hard work and extras.
What are your hobbies?
Watching sports and chasing 3 kids under 3 around. Struggling for time to do anything else these days
What’s your occupation?
Builder
You may as well give your employer a plug, who do you work for?
I’m Self Employed – So ACW Projects
Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general?
Perseverance will pay off. Keep pushing for your goals
