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Nev Paulsen - the radio and Clive Harburg

Western Suburbs District Cricket Club Brisbane | April 12, 2023

Nev Paulsen connection with Western Suburbs District Cricket Club dates back 40 odd years, firstly as a player and then as a supporter of his 3 sons who have played for the club.

Let’s check in with Nev and find out more about his passion for the gameNev coaching Brothers Cricket club in 2014

What year you were born?

1950

What State do you live in?

Queensland

When did you first start developing a love for cricket?

As a young boy living on a farm playing with my Dad after milking the cows and listening to cricket on the old valve radio.

I distinctly remember Clive Harburg commentary during the West Indies and Australia Tied Test at the Gabba.

The following year Wes Hall visited Mundubbera and used me to demonstrate the various skills to the large group of school children from all the surrounding schools. My love of the game has remained since.

The Tied Test

Tell us briefly about your journey in the game, where you’ve played, what clubs and how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?

I never played a “real” game of cricket until I attended Gayndah State High School as a 13 year old when the school played against surrounding school in the district. The high school and past students played in the local Gayndah Cricket Association and I quickly established myself as an opening swing bowler after taking 6 wickets for 3 runs against the best team in the competition.

I played local representative cricket as a13 year old and by 15 I was in the regional zone under 23 (Colts) team and by 18 I’d progressed to represent South Queensland Colts. I had offers to move to Brisbane and play cricket but my parents could not afford to supplement my apprenticeship wage ($16 a week) to allow me to make the move.

As a 19 year old I joined the RAAF and during a 20 year career I managed to play cricket in RAAF and Combined Service teams in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. I also managed to play in local teams during my service career in the areas (Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane) where I had been posted.

During 8 years based at Amberley I played with Western Suburbs District Cricket Club where my three sons played and youngest son is still playing. He is the highest run scorer in the history of Western Suburbs (over 13,000 first grade runs).

During my last tour of duty in the RAAF in Melbourne I was heavily involved in coaching and managed to obtain my Level 3 (High Performance) Coaching Accreditation. After retiring from the service in 1990 I was fortunate to be appointed to a Coaching and Development role with Queensland Cricket where I remained for 22 years until I retired in 2013.

Which club and or competition do you support?

I currently support the Albany Creek Hawks (50km trip twice each week) and help with coaching where my 11 year old grandson plays. I also support Western Suburbs District Cricket Club where my son still plays plus I do volunteer coaching at the Ipswich Hornets District Cricket Club and Ipswich Brothers Juniors where I am still doing a bit of coaching and help out where I can. (Actually I will help out any cricket club if I have time).

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket so far?

Being involved in the selection and development of young cricketers in Queensland who have gone on to represent at state and national level as well as the establishment of the Eddie Gilbert Cricket Program to find and develop Indigenous Cricketers. (After my retirement from Queensland Cricket unfortunately the program was discontinued).

Eddie Gilbert

Who’s your favourite all-time cricketer?

Apart from my grandson and sons I was a great fan of Andrew Symonds (loved watching him field) and loved watching Mark Waugh bat. However I would say Gary Sobers was the favourite.

Who has been your favourite Australian captain and if you could add a few words to why?

Richie Benaud greatest captain, but I admired Ricky Ponting for his ability to get the best out of his players.

Richie Benaud

Who’s been the batsman you’ve enjoyed watching the most?

Mark Waugh of Australians, but how could you go past Tendulkar, Lara, De Villiers, Kohli and Williamson of the others

Mark Waugh

Who in your opinion has been the best fast bowler?

Dennis Lillee

Who in your opinion has been the best spinner?

Shane Warne

Who in your opinion has been the best wicket keeper?

Ian Healy but I believe Wade Seccombe and Peter Anderson would have been thegreatest if given an opportunity at International level.

Who in your opinion has been the best umpire?

Simon Taufel but loved watching Peter “Porky” Parker and Dicky Bird.

What’s the most picturesque ground you’ve had the opportunity to watch a game of cricket?

Graceville Memorial Park (home of Western Suburbs in Brisbane) with special mention of Allan Border Field where I worked for many years during my time at Queensland Cricket

If there was one match up, a bowler and batsman going head to head at their peak, who would you choose?

Dennis Lillee and Gary Sobers

What’s your preferred format of the game, Test Cricket, One day games, T20?

Test cricket

What do Cricket Administrators need to do over the next 10 or so years to ensure people get to enjoy the game as much as you do?

Cricket needs to employ more people who have a real passion and love of the game who understand that grassroots is the most important area of the game.

With a strong grassroots Australian Cricket will become stronger with more followers.

Australian Cricket needs a player of the likes of Aboriginal cricketer Eddie Gilbert who was unfortunately denied opportunity at National level almost 90 years ago.

Premier Grade Cricket is where our players learn the game and become tough enough to develop into future test cricketers

Who are the 3 cricketers from any era you’d like to invite to a BBQ?

Apart from my three sons I would choose Gary Sobers, Andrew Symonds and Eddie Gilbert.