Steve Cazzulino - a champion

St George Cricket Club | March 21, 2023

Interview with Hamish Solomons

Over its 100 years of First Grade Cricket St George District Cricket Club has hosted and helped produce many a champion inside that very special changeroom at Hurstville Oval. However, there is also only one cricketer who can hold the record for the most runs in a First-Grade season. An incredible 1325 to be exact.

That cricketer is Steve Cazzulino and his story is a classic cricketing tale. A local boy through and through he was schooled at St Joseph’s Riverwood and then Penshurst Marist. He played his junior cricket for Penshurst West. He was so small compared to his teammates that his cricket loving dad nicknamed him Sparrow. Of Italian heritage and growing up in the multicultural suburbs of the St George district, Sparrow forms a strong bond with one of his teammates, a much larger lad who was born in Portugal. His name is Moises Henriques. “Moey’s” cricketing journey has been well documented and very inspiring. Looking in from the outside it would appear that Cazzulino was driven by the prodigious and natural talent of Henriques. It’s a question for Steve to answer. Whatever the combination of motivating factors was, the fact is Cazzulino worked until the skin on his hands gave way to sting and blood. He persevered until those rep half centuries morphed into grade centuries. He hit ball after ball until in 2009/10 he exploded with milestones and records so much so the Tasmanian selectors could not resist. First Class cricket beckoned…..

Let's cut to the chase and discuss 2009/10. A record-breaking tally of runs, a premiership and a Tasmanian contract to top it off. Looking back now, what clicked and made that such a successful year for you personally? 

I remember going into that season feeling like I was batting pretty well even though I missed out in the first couple of games. Then in Round 3, I was dropped early at First or 2nd slip against Northern District and just thought, 'right, better make that count', and batted well throughout the day to finish on 130. From that innings, the previous decade of trying to figure out my game started to click and from knock to knock I grew in confidence and the rest of the season honestly felt like one big, incredibly enjoyable net session.

The thing I remember most though was how clear I felt in just about every aspect of the game (batting of course, fielding was still a complete mystery). From batting plans (I knew starting each innings how I would get myself to 10 then 20, then lunch, then beyond) to my role within the team (if I got to tea I'd be close to 100 and the team would be 250 and could launch in the last session) – it’s the most at ease I ever felt playing the game. 

We know that there are many high-level cricketers who are motivated by statistics, so at some point during the season did you think, “I’m having a crack at the old mark of 1193 set by legendary keeper-batsman Nathan Pilon?” 

I think towards the end of the season there were some rumblings, but I don’t remember ever being particularly focussed on it. “Pilo” was and remains a legend in those sheds, so the idea of overtaking his mark seemed absurd at the time. My old man, who is a little more stats-minded than me, never said anything, but I’m certain he would have been ticking them off as the record came within reach! 

Steve Cazzulino heads out to open the batting with Stewart McCabe (left)

Not many people would know or remember the blood, sweat and tears that lead to that amazing season. You had to walk away from the game for a while. Give us a little insight as to what transpired in the seasons leading up to 09/10? 

If you rewind 18 months prior, I was starting out my third back-to-back season after spending the winter in Scotland. While the UK summer was a great experience, when I got back, I remember feeling mentally exhausted and couldn’t face another round in the dirt. The club was incredibly supportive and let me know there’d be a place back for me if/when I was ready. I ended up spending the year (2008 – read GFC) trying to sell houses in what turned out to be about the only down year in Sydney’s property history then called it quits – timing never was my strong suit! 

The time away gave me a much-needed dose of perspective though and when I came back, it was with a fresh approach to the game. It was the best decision I ever made in cricket. 

In your opinion what were the strengths and weaknesses of Steve Cazzulino? 

Strengths: Concentration.

Weaknesses: Superstition-related personal hygiene (Chadd Porter once tried to burn my spikes). This eventually improved.

For me your mental abilities were just about the best I have experienced, was this nature or nurture?

I think it was mostly just a stubbornness to keep batting.

A great example of your stubbornness at the crease was the 09/10 semi-final. You were up against a strong ND's team. The game was eventually called after the Saints reached 4-486 from 141 overs, with both you and Ashton May scoring double tons and sharing a partnership of 366. You batted for 511 minutes and faced 428 balls against one of the best attacks in the competition. Was this you at the peak of your mental powers and tell us a little more about what you remember of that day and that partnership with Ashton?

It seems surreal even just reading that back. Being a semi-final, I remember there were naturally a few nerves, particularly as we had a big scare the previous week against Manly before Copes and Steve Green pulled us out of trouble defending a low score. I had also heard that the Tassie selectors had flown in to watch that game and thought that it would be an added bonus if I could show them what I could do. The day and half that followed was an incredible series of events, moving from a great start, to building into a dominant position, to finishing having had an unbelievable day and then feeling like we were on the cusp of doing something pretty special. You go through a lot of bad days in cricket but if you're lucky enough, every once in a while, you get to experience a day like that and Ashton and I both cashed in - it was a really special day for us both and for the club and paved the way for what was to come next.

Did your amazing powers of concentration leave you mentally drained at times? 

I think the way I played the game was a bit of a double-edged sword. There were plenty of benefits in being able to occupy the crease for long periods, but the mental and physical hurdles I felt I needed to jump through to give myself the best chance of success prior to each game meant I was pretty drained by the end of each season. One of my bigger regrets was not being able to enjoy the game more for what it was rather than overly scrutinising each innings.

You played most of your cricket alongside close friend, Moises Henriques. In fact, you were both born on the same day. Obviously, an exceptional talent and success from the very start, did you feel like you were in his shadow at any stage and if so, do you feel that it fuelled your desire to keep up and be successful?

He was exceptional in every aspect of the game from a very early age, and to answer your question, not really – oddly I always felt we were on different paths with cricket despite ultimately looking to end up in the same place. I always just assumed he’d get there a bit earlier than me.

Moises Henriques

Moises Henriques on Steve Cazzulino

“Steve Cazzulino is one of the best people I have come across in my life. As unreliable off the field as he was reliable at the top of the order – both extremes!” 

“I’m proud to say he is one of my great mates and will cherish his friendship in perpetuity. No matter how strange that may look at times. So much love.”

You also played in the era where a certain wicket keeper at the club morphed into one of the greatest bowlers in NSW history. What was it like playing alongside Trent Copeland in those early days?

He really snuck up on everyone didn’t he! There aren’t to many superlatives that haven’t been used to describe Copes’ ascent, but I think what stood out for me was the rate of improvement: within three years it went from “gee the tall wicket keeper’s medo’s look to be OK” to “no, like, he’s actually pretty good” to “holy hell, this guy’s a genius”. He was ably supported from the other end by a rotation of quality, but the back-to-back 60+ wicket seasons were as clinical as you’ll see. I wouldn’t bet against him banging out another couple of seasons and becoming the most successful Sheffield Shield bowler NSW has ever produced.

Trent Copeland

Trent Copeland on Steve Cazzulino

“Reflecting on playing alongside the great man now knowing what I know about cricket, success, failure etc the resounding thought is how lucky we all were to call Caz a teammate. Hunger and temperament for runs, and batting time that is so rare. Always scored runs in the big moments, and just generally had fun doing it. In amongst all of that was a bloody great human being that was someone you looked forward to spending all weekend with.”

Give us a little insight to the young lad with strong Italian bloodlines and how he came to be a St George First Grade opening bat?

The bright yellow Alfa Romeo that Nathan Catalano got around in says it all doesn’t it?

What was it like being in the Tasmanian set up?

A dream come true.

Who were some of the best cricketers you played with and against at First Class level?

I was really lucky to be a part of an incredibly strong dressing room with the Tigers. To be able to train and play alongside the likes of Ricky Ponting, George Bailey, Ben Hilfenhaus, Ed Cowan, Tim Paine, Jackson Bird, Mark Cosgrove – and on and on – was unreal. Around the grounds I had a front row seat to a couple of masterclasses from Chris Rogers and David Hussey while Peter Siddle bowled rockets on a particularly nasty day at the MCG. Steve Magoffin wasn’t the quickest but when he bowled it felt like there was a magnet in the ball that synced up to the edge of my bat.

Steve Cazzulino batting for Tasmania

Was there a moment during your time playing First Class where you thought you could play the next level?

Was absolutely convinced of it. I think there’s a certain level of arrogance/naivety/ bravado/delusion/all of the above required to play within the first-class setup and succeed. Guys in the Aussie setup go from being nouns to teammates in a short space of time and you need to believe it’s only going to take some luck and momentum to propel you to the next level if you can get yourself on a roll.

Looking back and knowing what you know now, would you do anything differently?

Taken more risks. Invested in a better alarm clock.

How many premierships were you involved in at St George and tell us a little about playing in such a successful era for the club?

Four PGs and four First Grade flags. While they were all hard fought, I particularly enjoyed the First Grade T20 win on my way out. The feeling within that young team was very different to the dominant teams I’d played with before I made the move south, however there was something special about the run home that year – it’s as much fun as I had on a cricket field.

Why do you think the club enjoyed the success that it did? Obviously quality players around at the same time, but were there other factors?

I think the generation prior to my own laid the groundwork for a talented mix of local juniors and some pretty savvy acquisitions to thrive. I have really fond memories of afternoons at Hurstville Oval where, even as a 13 and 14-year-old in Green Shield, we were integrated and welcomed into the senior drills and the level of professionalism set a base for what was expected if we wanted to succeed at the club. Luck played a big part in the timing of several generational players going through at the same time, but there’s no denying the culture played a big part in many of those guys developing into the players they became which led to the success that we had.

What other things were you good at as a youngster?

A promising young soccer player cut down in his prime (10) to pursue cricket. Shame.

Where did you go to school and what junior club did you play for?

A proud product of St. Joseph’s Riverwood and helped punch out six junior premierships with the mighty Penshurst West CC.

What keeps you occupied these days?

I remember the day I got cut from the Tassie roster, one of the guys in the squad called and said, “don’t let cricket define you”. I’ve spent most days since trying not to.

Hamish Solomons (left), Steve Cazzulino (right) with a young Ethan Jamieson. Ethan has recently played for the Australian Under 19 cricket team and plays first grade in NSW Premier Cricket for UNSW

If you are mentoring a cricketer about to start his career at St George, tell us three things that he needs to be across if he’s moving on to higher levels?

1.    Enjoy your teammate’s success, it’s a lonely game if you don’t.

2.    Look to score, otherwise you’re a sitting duck. Learned that one the hard way.

3.    Be good to people on the way up because they’ll remember you on the way down.