Clayton Waters - watch the ball
Northern District Cricket Club Sydney | February 02, 2023
Clayton Waters is a self-confessed Northern District ranger through and through.
Debuting for the club in 2004/05 Clayton has played all through the grades with his brand of aggressive keeper/batting and he was very much a staple in 2nd grade for many years during a highly successful era for NDs.
Claytons on field record is immense: 255 matches, 4,958 runs at 24, 280 keeping dismissals, 2nd Grade Premier, 3rd Grade premiership captain, 2 x Club Championship's and 2 x winner of the Bill North Award for Club Person of the Year.
Claytons has also been a massive contributor to the leadership of the club over the years serving as Club Captain from 2016 - 2019, driving NDs social media, leading Pre-Season strength & conditioning programs and Captaining 3rd and 4th grades. His fine captaincy was a big part of 3rd Grade winning the premiership in 2020/21 with a first ever NDCC undefeated season.
Let’s find out more about
Clayton Waters wicket keeping
What year you were born?
1989
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I played Milo cricket in Cooma down in the Snowy Mountains when I was in year 2, so I would have been 7 or so. I think my first real game would have been still in Cooma, for my school Cooma North Public. I had yellow pads which I had from my youth and I don’t think I did very well.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Started in the backyard like most of us, with my amazing Mum throwing tennis balls at me and then Dad would get home and do the same. Started in Cooma for my school and then moved back to Sydney where I played 2 seasons in the Sydney Church’s Comp for St Pauls. I played U13 for West Pennant Hills and was lucky enough to be picked in the Gee Shield Hornsby Kuringai Hills District representative side which we went on to win.
I then moved to Redfield College for my last two season of school cricket while playing for HKDCA (winning Watson Shield). Since 2004 I have been at Northern District Cricket Club playing Green Shield for two seasons and then Grade ever since.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
Debuted in train on squad. I was 15. Jack Moran named me in train on and I was shattered. That Wednesday my Dad got a call from the 5th Grade Captain Nick Berman and I was picked due to an injury and went from there.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I made my debut in the T20 squad in 2015 vs ACT in a 5 over match due to rain. Didn’t have to do much from memory just stand where Chris Green told me which was nervy as I was a keeper. Andrew Harriot and Daniel Hughes got 54 off 3.3 overs which was insane. Played that whole season in the T20 side and was lucky enough to play on the SCG. Unfortunately, we got smashed by Sydney University in the Preliminary Final, but I hit a 6 which I will never forget (or forget to tell everyone).
My 2-day debut was when Andrew Harriot was called into a state game and I played Day 1 vs Sydney Tigers at Drummoyne. Brad Haddin was my captain and I kept while he stood in the field. Very surreal. Got 15 with the bat and didn’t look great from memory.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Wicketkeeper batsman that was full of energy who didn’t shut up in the field and always looking to be positive.
What were your strengths as a player?
Tough one to answer. I think I always tried to be positive in anything I was doing, whether with the bat or gloves. I think I brought a good atmosphere to the team and made it more enjoyable to play (others may disagree). I wanted to be that guy you hated playing because of what he brought but the guy after the game you want to have a beer with.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
130 vs Randwick Petersham at Coogee in Second Grade.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
As a keeper the chances were limited and rightly so. In my last 2 years in lower grades I fielded, and I got one chance to bowl in a negatively played drawn game, last year and took a wicket with my first ball bowling attempted off spin. 1/2 off 1. Poor kid.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Sean Abbott – I faced 5 balls from him and realised very quickly that he is a different level to me. Fast, accurate and has a serious presence about him. Nick Bertus was under the lid explaining that he was way too good for me. I agree, he was way too good for me
Ben Joy – played him a fair bit in 2nd Grade before he went up into 1st Grade. Quick, accurate and always made you play. Knew you were in for a tough game, especially if Nigel Cowell was bowling at the other end as well
Alex Bloomfield – had many a battle against Bloomers who is one of the tough competitors on the field and a great bloke off it. He was just annoying. Hard line and length and accurate. Blew us away in a Grand Final with 6 wickets I think in the space of 20mins.
Sean Abbott
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Tom Kierath – relentless. Verbal. Competitor who bowled all day and barely missed. Played against him a lot and had some great battles.
Ash Doolan – bag full of tricks. Got me out many a time. Always had great matches in 2nd grade vs Sydney. Bowls forever at one end. Great competitor. Watch for the straight one.
Ben Manenti – only played once or twice but again didn’t miss and was always trying to get you out. Never took a backfoot step.
Tom Kierath
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Adam Theobold – I think he averages 500,000 against me. I’ve seen him score 150 plus twice and a 200 in a Semi Final. He smashed them in the infamous 500 game. Also hooked Taylor Scott off his nose on a dodgy deck at Blacktown in the Grand Final with no helmet on. One of the best shots I have ever seen.
Kurtis Patterson – saw him get 130 odd in my second 2nd grade game. Smashed them all over the park as a 16 yr old.
Moses Henriques – played him once at Mark Taylor Oval and the ball off his bat sounded like a shotgun. Again another moment in time where I realised there is a massive gap in talent.
Kurtis Patterson
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Seen a few! Ill cheat and say from 2 games…Dean Crawford and Matt Phillips tons in the 500 game vs Sydney Uni were amazing to watch and also to be a part of. Jason Hayward with his 150 in the 3s Grand Final last year. Pure class well above the standard.
The 500 game - Northern District V Sydney University 2nd Grade 28 Nov - 5 Dec 2009 at Mark Taylor Oval
Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason seemed to always cause you a few problems?
Spinners aged 16 and under who bowled full tosses.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in grade cricket and you really had to knuckle down to survive?
I think every time you play finals cricket it’s like going up a new level. Playing against Sean Abbott albeit lasting 5 balls, I had that feeling of, I am out of my depth here come over me in a way I had never had before. I was always positive and up for the challenge. Always playing Sydney Uni boys in 1s and 2s was always fierce and competitive.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Being a keeper myself I have played with and against a few. Tim Cummins and Jay Lenton would be my stand outs. Best one I’ve played with would be Andy Harriot followed closely by OIi Hing.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Daniel Fredrich and Chris Peebles. The encapsulated Northern District and had the pleasure to play a lot with them in 2s. Always positive cricket players with a never say die attitude.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
I have been very lucky to have amazing captains. Daniel Fredrich and Jerry Hook would be my selections. They both believed in the team and played positive yet also backed it up with their performances. They also invested in you as a person outside of cricket which I have always appreciated. Matt Johnson close 2nd.
Daniel Fredrich
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Chris Peebles. No question
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
3rd Grade Quarter Final or Semi Final we played Bankstown. Matt Johnson was captain and at 2nd slip. Lachlan Ford bowled a ball in the first or 2nd over of the day and this batsmen hit it over cover for 6. MJ lost it and sprayed this bloke for not showing respect for a final and playing cowboy shots.
The batsmen gave it back but next ball knicked off to MJ at the slips and I swear he was laughing before the ball even landed in his hands. But also anything to do with Peebs and the 500 game was pretty funny too.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
One of my skills was hitting full tosses to the dip midwicket. Every time I did that it was super embarrassing. Particularly later in my career in lower grades.
Who was your childhood hero?
Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne
Adam Gilchrist
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Kelly Slater, Adam Gilchrist, Steve Menzies
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Ricky Pointing
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Mark Taylor Oval – Away ground Coogee
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Syd Uni, Manly and Sydney – went through a period in 2s where we were the top 4 for ages. Some amazing games of cricket. Hated each other on the field but always enjoyed the company off the field. Great blokes and some awesome games of cricket.
Gordon as well due to rivalry.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Hard to split them. Winning 2s Grand Finals was amazing. Winning 2 Club Championships and one as Club Captain. I think winning 3s last year undefeated and to be the first team in NDCC history to do so is very special.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
NDCC vs Syd Uni in the 500 game. Chasing 500 + on day 2 and achieving that was a game I’ll never forget.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Lachlan Ford – he’d drink craft beer with me
Jon Whealing – been a long term friend and great music taste
Daniel Fredrich – all round legend and serious cricket/sport knowledge
What are your hobbies?
Surfing, reviewing craft beer (@waterstobeers on Instagram), being around mates when we can!
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Hit the ball along the ground and you won’t get out – Pop (too bad I didn’t listen)
Watch the ball – every coach I’ve ever had
What is your occupation?
Work at icare as a Health Engagement Implementation Manager. Work with GPs and allied health professionals and assist them with Workers Compensation.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
I have officially retired but I am still playing a role at ND’s as Cricket Operations member. I’ll do some work with keepers and lower grade skippers as well.
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Bring back stronger 2nd XI competition. Bring in T20’s for 2 games a season in 2-5s, so that the first time they aren’t exposed to it is first grade.
A very happy and winning Northern District dressing room
