Justin Kenny - never look back
Sutherland District Cricket Club | February 05, 2023
Justin Kenny made his first grade debut for Sutherland Cricket Club on 18 December 1982 at just 16 years and 86 days to become first grade cap number 114.
In 271 games for Sutherland Justin scored 8,350 runs across the grades he played in. He scored 6,235 runs in first grade from 1982 to 1999 at an average of 31.48 including 10 centuries and 29 half centuries.
Justin made his first class debut for NSW during the 1988/89 season and played 4 Shield games scoring 173 runs at 30.66 with a highest score of 73.
What year you were born?
1966
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Yes it was in the under 12B playing for Jannali Cricket Club and I got 107 not out
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I started playing in the last year of U12 for Jannali CC, then 5 years later was picked for Sutherland CC first grade. I did not get picked to play for NSW Under 16 but made the Under 19 side and captained them in my third year. In the late 1980’s I played in the Essex league for 3 years with my brother Gavin. I also had a season with Essex 2nd eleven. I Played for NSW Colts and NSW 2nd eleven for ages then got picked in the first team somewhat controversially in 87-88. I finished playing with my brother in 3rd grade at Sutherland.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
Started playing for Sutherland 5th grade at Tonkin Oval I was 14 years old
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
My First grade debut was against Manly at Manly Oval I was 16 years old. I got 17 runs and got out to a Skid Marks beauty.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I was predominately a batsman as it was too hard to get the ball out of John Dyson’s hand when we needed wickets.
What was your highest score in senior cricket? For which club and where?
198 in the Esssex League playing for OLD Brentwoods.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
If only Dyso would have let me bowl.
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Dave Gilbert. Very deceptive and had that ridge at Pratton dialled in
Malcom Marshall. Even more deceptive and he always made you play at the ball.
Evan Gordan. Saw him bounce one into the site screen at Coogee! Enough said.
David Gilbert
Who has been the best three spinners you have played against?
Tommy Shiner. He could bowl anything to anyone.
Trevor Hohns. He had great control.
Greg Matthews. Every ball he bowled was game on and great challenge.
Tom Shiner
Who has been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Mark Waugh. Just a delight to watch him play.
Gordan Greenidge. All class.
Ian Davis. Could score against any bowler all over the ground
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
It was a NSW 2nd XI game and Darren Lehman scored 200+. He needed a score to get a position back in the shield side and did so, a chanceless knock.
Can you recall a moment where you thought ‘wow’ this is a step up from the norm in grade cricket and had to really knuckle down to get through the challenge, can you describe the experience?
Our skipper at Sutherland was Len Pascoe and the first game of the year was against UNSW at Caringbah on a wet green wicket. We are all teenagers. As a character builder Len won the toss and we batted! Instead of a warm up Slippery made us a cup of tea in the clubhouse to explain his decision. He said Geoff Lawson (first game after an ashes tour) would be tired and not at his best. I think we were 3 for 20 after the first hour. Nothing was the norm for Slippery.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
By far Steve Rixon
Steve Rixon
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Steve Rixon, he believed that at any point in the game anyone could change the game by their contribution whether it be in the field or batting.
Mike Whitney, always gave 100% and a great team man.
You played 4 first class games for NSW. How do you look back on your first class career and were you ever tempted to move interstate?
There was talk of Queensland or Tasmania but at that stage I was 26 years old and retiring. I became a bit disillusioned with the game. In 1987 I had a contract with Essex Cricket Club that depended on me not playing for NSW if I was ever picked. I got picked for NSW for 1 game that year and Essex was gone. Looking back on my first-class career I felt that the wickets suited my game and I made the adjustment well and was not out of my depth. People always told me that 1 game for the Blues was worth 20 in England.
Justin Kenny hits a six into the local neighbours backyard
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Steve Rixon
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Geoff “Red” Barron a fast bowler for Sutherland who on his day could trouble anyone even himself.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
In a game against Gordan CC we were in the field and Mark O’Neill aka Thoister was batting. I was in the box on the off side and kept counting his spits. As he was approaching 87 spits, I let him know. I can’t remember how many runs he was on, but he did to spit a lot. On the 87 spits he edged one to the slips and started giving it to me on the way off the field for counting. All jokes a side Mark was a tremendous player both with the bat and ball and a great bloke.
Who was your childhood hero?
Viv Richards. I had the pleasure of meeting him in the disco at the Wrest Point Casino in Hobart. Gus Logie who was on dance floor introduced us, I don’t think he remembers me.
Viv Richards
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Greg Norman, Michael Jordan and Bo Jackson
Greg Norman
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
I don’t watch much cricket but Mark Waugh does a good job
What was your favourite ground to play at?
SCG
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
I always loved to play 2nd Eleven against Victoria. It was early in the season and people were trying to impress.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
Friendships
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Playing in the Shield Final against Victoria 90-91
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
I was asked to play for Sutherland again in 96-97 by Jason Young after not playing for 4 seasons. We won the first grade premiership that year with a great bunch of young guys who really believed in themselves. Two of these guys played for Australia not long after.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
I have 4, Evan Atkins, Gavin Kenny, Jason Young and Randwick’s Andrew Spike Millican
What are your hobbies?
Golf, Fishing and my kids sport
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Never look back
What is your current occupation?
I have been running an electrical contracting business with my brother Gavin for the last 20 years
Planetec Services we have special rates for retired cricketers.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
I have no involvement at all
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?
I would try and get the first class and Test guys to play more grade cricket. I know that it used to inspire me as a young bloke to see how the big guys performed.
Maybe after they finish Cricket NSW could make sure their contracts are still paid for that year of going back to grade cricket. They would still have much to offer.
