Tom Kierath - never give up
Sydney University Cricket Club | April 20, 2023
Tom Kierath began his grade cricket career with Sydney University Cricket Club in 1999 and at the time of publication he proudly sits 6th on the list of all-time leading wickets takers for the club.
He took 503 wickets across the grades at a very impressive average of 20.89 and scored 5,570 runs at 23.80 with a highest score of 123.
Tom is Sydney University’s First Grade cap no 676 and in first grade he took 217 wickets at 22.66 from 2003 to 2018 including three 5 wickets hauls and best figures of 6 for 48.
Tom continues to make a significant contribution to Sydney University as he in on the Board of Management and the Vice President of Operations.
Let’s find out more about Tom’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1981
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
Olsen Oval, Narromine. I was maybe 6 and could barely make it out to the middle with my pads on
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Juniors in Narromine, too much school cricket, couple seasons in Scotland - Grange and Falkland and 20 seasons for Sydney University
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
18, 6th grade for Sydney University…which I was promptly dropped from after 2 games!
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
22, came in at 8-80 with Grant Lambert steaming in with about 6 slips. Handful not out, couple of uneventful overs. Stressful morning as I’d turned up to the ground without my whites so sent a SOS to the Mrs!
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Spin bowler first, batsman 2nd, but did do half a season of third grade as a wicketkeeper. Allrounder I guess.
Tom bowling for Sydney University
What were your strengths as a spinner?
Accuracy and perseverance, certainly not much to do with spinning the ball!
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
108 for Sydney Uni 2’s at NDs, managed to get a few away in the last over of a one day game to bring up my first ton in grade cricket, very memorable
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
8-32 for Grange cricket club in Scotland
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Josh Lalor – still have nightmares of the ball hooping back into my front pad
Jake Wilson – per earlier except at a (much) slower pace with a big grin
Aaron Bird – nasty bouncer, but unplayable slower ball…
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
David Freedman – early in my grade days, I had never seen someone with a proper wrong’n it was like a different sport
Jarred Burke – landed it on a 10c coin for fun at a ridiculously slow pace
Dan Friedrich – as my grade twin would usually show me up by actually turning it!
David Freedman
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Steve Smith – cut me off leg stump at age 16 for a hundred but he’s in the kit bag 3 times so am claiming a moral victory there
David Warner – flat hard 6’s for fun and one over the Uni No 1 Grandstand
Matty Hughston as he made runs every single time he played us and did it so easy
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Can’t split Adam Theobald’s 228 2nd grade Semi-final after we were in early trouble (the post Day 1 cramping was something to behold) and Ben Larkin’s 498 ball vigil in the 2012-13 2nd grade GF
Was there any batsman in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted their wicket?
I loved the challenge of playing against first class players, mainly because it was their day job and they are expected to score runs so there was nothing to lose and plenty to gain.
Tom Kierath being awarded the 2nd Grade Captain of the year in NSW Premier Cricket
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Shane Stanton, maybe because of all his peculiarities and theories, but behind that a great competitor and pair of hands.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Anthony Clark and Shawn Bradstreet
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Greg Mail – played the game the right way and was a great example to everyone at our club. Hard and Fair. And even had the sense of humour to excuse the spinner having a few the night before.
Greg Mail
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Ian Moran by the length of the straight, dry sense of humour and at his finest when celebrating a premiership
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Mark Faraday at mid-on and the sound effects when the ball was hit in his general direction
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
First match as overseas pro for Falkland in Scotland in the local derby against Freuchie and knicked the first one.
Who was your childhood hero?
Steve Waugh
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Tiger Woods, Roger Federer & George Bailey
Roger Federer
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Ricky Ponting
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Grange CC with the view of Edinburgh Castle wasn’t a bad home ground, but there was something special about dragging your kit into the sheds at Uni No 1
Grange Cricket Club
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Manly, especially in finals as they always brought an aggressive style of play and came with a huge support crew
What did you enjoy most about playing cricket?
The mateship, laughs and beers post game
Sydney University 2014/15 Second Grade Premiers
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Two stand out.
1. Greg Matthews cutting Dan Christian past point to win the 04/05 1st grade flag, running off past his team mates hurdling the fence to join his family
2. My last game - 18/19 3rd grade GF walking off after a tight loss and giving my young fella a hug with tears in our eyes
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
2010/11 2nd grade Grand Final vs Manly. Chucked in on a wet one, fought back and won!
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Adam Theobold, Mark Faraday and Greg Mail – my best mates, always good red and better chat
What are your hobbies?
Bringing up 3 children limits them a bit, but I’ve dived into golf like half of Sydney has post COVID
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Never give up
2013/14 was an incredible year for Sydney University
From left to right, 2nd grade Premier captain Tom Kierath with the Albert cup, Club Chairman James Rodgers with the Club Champions cup, Gary Whitaker Club Coach with the Bob Simpson Coaches award and Greg Mail 1st grade Premier Captain with The Belvidere Cup. What a haul
What is your current occupation?
Financial Analyst
Let’s give your employer a plug, who do you work for?
Firetrail Investments, a boutique investment manager that invests in listed Australian companies
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
SUCC Board member and am down at Milo cricket at Allan Border Oval on Saturdays with my young fella Charlie
If you were running Cricket NSW what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
1. Work closely with the clubs to ensure access to grounds are secured for the long term, a pertinent issue at SUCC at the moment,
2. Give lower grade players the opportunity to play T20 fixtures somehow – maybe midweek?
