Brett Penprase - more than one way to skin a cat

Northern District Cricket Club Sydney | March 10, 2023

Brett Penprase began his grade cricket career with Northern District in 1991/92 and made a tremendous contribution to the club over the next 22 seasons.

Across all grades he took 381 wickets at 21.57.

Brett’s interest in the game started at a very young age when following uncle David Johnston who played 14 first class games for NSW and grade cricket for North Sydney.

Let’s find out more about Brett’s cricket journey. 

Brett bowling at the SCG in 2014

What year were you born?

1975

Can you remember your first game of cricket?

1983/84, Wahroonga Cricket Club vs Pennant Hills at Pennant Hills Public School on the old concrete lined with malthoid. Don’t recall having a bowl back then but remember smoking a few with this extremely short handled MP toothpick of a bat to the cover boundary which was pretty small at one end. 

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

Pretty boring really. I think my vintage was the last of playing loyalty one way or another!

• Junior cricket all with Wahroonga till we got to Under 16 where we played in an Mt Colah/Wahroonga team.
• Beecroft B Grade Seniors from 13 - 16 yrs of age.
• Northern District Cricket Club Green Shield team in 1990/91.
• Northern District Cricket Club - 1991/92 - 2012/13
• Assistant coach Manly Cricket Club in 2011/2012

My story is more about the opportunities I got through NDCC and CNSW via the likes of Rocky Harris and all the people involved with NDCC cricket at the time. I had the opportunity to bowl to every first class batsman at the 1991/1992 World Cup all the way to every International test and one day touring teams to 1995/96. 

Brett's uncle David Johnston played 14 first class games for NSW from 1977 to 1982

In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?

At 17 in 3rd grade. It was one of those Friday nights where you thought you were playing 4th grade at Asquith and by 9am you were at Raby, playing cards. That match from vague memory was washed out.

At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?  

Not till I was 25 in 2000. It was Remembrance Day 11/11/2000. We played against Manly. It was one of those overcast cold drizzling rain days. We lost the toss, I fielded till about the 65th odd over mark of a 100 over day and got thrown a swollen piece of soap, bowled from the northern end which I had done 10000 times in 2nd grade but was never my prime time 2nd grade preferential end.

Got hit for 6 on my second ball miles into a house at Waitara Ave. Ended up rolling over a leg cutter slower delivery and Steve Spoljaric neatly off drove it to “Mr Handy” Tim McMahon. I was off as soon as we could take the new ball.

I got injured saving 4 runs at fine leg, tore the cartilage in my right rib cage and didn't play for quite some time. My performance was average, I got 1 of the 2 wickets that day I ended up with 1-72 off 13 overs, certainly not my best.

Manly at close were 2-444. Welcome to First Grade Brett. The match was washed out week 2. It was only a 9 match season that year but 20 wickets at an average of 16.5 in 2s from 8 games I was happy with. 

If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?

Well-tempered, left arm medium pace bowler who loved nicking off left handers and capturing right handers plumb LBW or just clipping the top of off stump from a Wasim Akram taught inswinging legcutter (took me 2 years to master that one consistently).

What were your strengths as a player?

Disciplined, knowing my weaknesses and understanding my strengths and not deviating.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

43 in 5s very my last playing year in 2012/13 at Raby.

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket? For which club and where

Northern District Cricket Club - 1994/95 3rd Grade - 7 for 51.

Northern District Cricket Club - 2000/2001 2nd Grade - 5 for 58.

Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?

Matt Nicholson - were kind of silent distant mates at local Private (Knox Grammar) v Public school (Kur-ring-gai High) games and the local rival clubs Gordon v NDs. We did some CNSW U/19 squad things together (I do recall his Hyundai running out of oil on the freeway running up to past North Sydney Oval coming back from the SCG) and we played in a cracking indoor side with Craig Glassock and Greg Everest. He was certainly quicker, but he had the same discipline. 

Damian Wright - we were in the Met North CHS team mates, he was meant to play with NDs back in 1991/92 but he ended up playing on the Central Coast or at Randwick that year. He was a left hander like me, quicker at the point of time I played with him, disciplined again but with Damian, I felt I was like Luke Skywalker facing Darth Vader for the first time. In part knowing his trade too well, I knew what was the worst to come whether it was pitched up or traveling past my heart and right shoulder being a right arm bat.

Phil Clune from Balmain (Sydney Cricket Club now) just frightened me at No 11. I do not think he subscribed to the fast bowlers union or cartel.

Taking instructions from the South African Coach Mike Procter to stand in the back corner of the practice net to collect and return the balls delivered from Alan Donald and Brett Shultz bowling at a 20 cent sized coin was pretty crazy. I only got cleaned up 3 times with the ball ricocheting off the coin into some part of my body. 

Matthew Nicholson

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

Simon Couch at Manly, Izzy Gray at Mosman and David Hourn at Easts, I played against were always a challenge… but the best very best were from my home club who had me head over tails in the nets being Chris Elder and Karl Dannenbersons, these two bowled their deliveries like the ball was a yo-yo.

Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?

Brian Clemow at Manly, Ashley Shoobridge at North Sydney, Paul Maraziotis Penrith …. all in their respective positions in a batting line-up or whatever grade they played in they could change the course of a match result in a very short time. I got to play against 

I really enjoyed bowling to Mark Waugh at the international training days. I just loved watching him play that leg glance flick over mid-wicket, till he asked me why I kept bowling to him there. I didn't respond, mainly from being too shy. My next delivery was one of my pretty standard inswinging yorkers that cleaned him up. He said, go back to bowling the middle and leg line. I responded by saying great, I just love watching you play that shot over and over again.

Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Probably too many to mention here but the ones that come to mind are, Adam Gichrist in Poidevin Gray game 160 odd in not many deliveries at Drummoyne Oval.

Cameron Eve in a PGs game went nuts at North Sydney Oval number 2 a big score off not many for well over 100.

Matthew Dakin from memory may have been a 3rd grade debut scoring 184 or thereabouts at Asquith.

Neil D’Costa at many a second grade game as we called it back then “its Pongo time” and on the flipside the quite stable left hander Wahroonga junior to NDs opening bat Graham Hanlon who was Mr Consistent holding up an end getting ton after ton week in and out and finally Plucker, Craig Waddell and Simon Blake also played some sensational innings.

Brett bowling in his last over for SCG XI in 2015

Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always you to cause you a few problems?

I was never at the crease for long enough to even think of such a dilemma.

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? 

Every time I was given the ball it was time to always step up. I was never the toiler, I was a short spell get wickets bowler. However the most memorable were on 2 occasions - the first was that daunting debut in 1st grade against Manly  

The second time I was bowling in a second grade game coming from 4th grade in 2007/8 which was a good 7 years prior to my last prior 2nd grade game. The club was in round 2 suffering from multiple injuries hence my call up. We played against Mosman at AB Oval and I was about to bowl to Martin Haywood which from what I was told was his first or second match back in second grade from his extensive 1st grade career.

Martin Haywood batting for NSW

Martin came in at No 3 after lunch Mosman were 0-170 odd and Daniel (Freddy) Friedrick threw the ball to me for the first over after lunch, I got Muldune out half hitting my slower ball on to short cover and then Marty came to the crease and it was one of those moments where I was thinking ok it was time to step up here or we are going to be in a world of pain.

I was lucky that day, the deck was a typical super flat AB oval deck and I got Marty when he was in single digits. The ball found a little stone and did one of those “within an inch first class movements “and took the bail off the off stump as he let the ball go. From memory I ended up with 5-80 off 17 odd overs that day.

The next round bowled the house down with some old time brutal pace which I don’t know where it came from at Drumoyne and then severely tore the cartilage in my knee later that day. I was out after round 3 that season and did not return for some time years later.

Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against? 

Well this one is a spectacular trifecta of an answer. I got to play Poidevin Gray with Adam Gilchrist in only two or so games in his short time at NDs. I've also had the pleasure of seeing Brad Haddin behind the stumps. The one that stands out is Mark Atkinson who only kept to me in the nets but he was so quick in his footwork and hands were subtle taking the ball standing up to quicks. The wicket keepers who assisted me in majority of my grade wickets the most, were a class of their own, were Kristian Griffith Jones, Greg Marks and Ryan Bolger.

Mark Atkinson

Who took the best catch you’ve seen in the games you played? 

Nick Knights NDCC debut in 3rd Grade at Asquith took a screamer off my bowling from a left hand bat at gully diving up and behind to his right. I think he mentioned that the ground is a lot harder than the UK grounds he was accustomed too. 

Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?

There are too many to mention but if I had to pick just two it would be;

Matthew Bruce at NDCC has to be one, he was always at the other end toiling away with me week in and out. The two of us had great bowling partnerships over the years. He was competitive, a good person to work with on the field and a funny man to be around.

Mark Catley at NDCC probably also worth a mention, no matter whether it was ball or bat he could turn the course of a game on a dime. His captaincy skills were pretty handy too. He always got the best out of me.

Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?

Jeremy Hook, when we played primarily second grade he knew I was both working full time and studying Uni part time. Jerry got the best out of me by using me for short spells as my endurance fitness suffered working behind a desk for long hours in the back office of a funds management business. Was probably the best Captain in all of my playing days.

Simon Blake too for very similar reasons but also for giving me a chance when I thought people in my mind had written me off one way or another.

Who has the best nickname of any player you played with and do you know the story behind it?

Matthew Bruce .. nickname “Beaks”. Just one of those nicknames that naturally evolved.

Who was your childhood hero?

Curtley Ambrose. I always wanted to be the shorter left arm version. 

Has there been anyone you’ve met and you’ve been a little star struck?

As I mentioned before I had the fantastic opportunity to train with the world’s best thanks to the people at CNSW back then, but the start struck moment was to train with this kid 2 years older than me called Sachin in February/March 1992.

In 2016 some 24 years later Mr Tendulkar sees me in the members at the SCG merely passing by and stops and says “your that young left armer that bowled to me in 1992.. not only was I star struck I was absolutely gobsmacked.

Sachin Tendulkar 1992

Who has been your funniest team mate? 

Kristain Griffith Jones for many reasons I cannot share.

Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?

4th grade banter in 1992 at its best when our wicket keeper “Clarry” Geoff Harris called out to our veteran opening bowler Jim Gavin with a Ken Calendar like lisp…. “Hey Jim ….bowl it on the spot not in the slot” the next few deliveries from Jim were somewhat sharper, quicker and more aggressive, smacking Clarry’s gloves.

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

I cannot think of one but I do recall Geoff Fogarty getting a wicket with his strides falling around his ankles on a following through. 

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator? 

The Whispering Death…. Michael Holding.

What was your favourite ground to play at?

Waitara Oval (Mark Taylor Oval) and the SCG.

Retired ND’s guys “The Grey Gums” in a match against Cricket Club of India at Mark Taylor Oval

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Marty Haywood dismissal for sure. However catching Geoff Spostwood an inch off the ground from a full blooded drive to his amazement was a memorable moment. 

The two club championships I have been a part of; One as a player in 1998/99 and then as an Assistant Coach for Manly in 2011/12 have to be up there coincidentally both were happening at Manly Oval. 

What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?

Any outright I’ve been involved with but there was one in second grade against Hawesbury that stands out in my mind at Bensons Lane without any details other than one wicket I took that was arguably the best ball I have ever bowled which was one of those inswinging leg cutters that takes the top of off stump.

Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?

Dominic Hodson, Matthew Bruce, Craig Waddell.

What are your hobbies?

Bream Tournament Fishing….yes it is a sport and it exists but it more a hobby for me. 

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

There is more than one way to skin a cat. My Mother provided this one, when I focussed so heavily on cricket and less so on my academia.

What is your occupation?

Managing Director - Head of Australia / New Zealand Distribution at Oaktree Capital.

Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?

I get involved mainly in off the field things like fundraising for NDCC where I am asked from time to time. 

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?

Don't overburden experienced coaching stocks who are primarily volunteers with red tape in maintaining a coaching accreditation, keep the experience involved to maintain and improve playing standards.

Don’t over complicate development pathways. I like sport science but I think the training and strength elements appear to overrule the bowling and batting elements today. Let bowlers bowl and batters bat. As I say one can be gym fit but not necessarily bowling fit.