Jarrod Bird - turf boss
South Brisbane District Cricket Club | February 02, 2023
Jarrod Bird made his first grade debut for south Brisbane District Cricket Club during the 1997/98 cricket season to become the clubs first grade player number 556.
He took 148 first grade wickets at an average of 27.15 and was a valuable member of the clubs 2000-01 first grade premiership winning team.
Jarrod involvement in the game continued after his playing days as he was the head curator of Allan Border Oval for 13 years. He contracts to various organisations to support and offer guidance to groundsman at various venues around the country
Cricket Australia acknowledges Jarrod Bird tremendous contribution to Australian Cricket
Let’s find out more about Jarrod’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1978
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I was about 9 years old when I got to play in a family cricket day between BP employees and Shell Employees in Darwin with my Dad across the road from Mindil Beach where the markets are held.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I was brought up on cricket from when I was a very young kid. My Dad had me out hitting cricket balls since I was about 3. I can remember being in the backyard with him at our house in Port Pirie in South Australia and waiting to watch the Boxing Day Test in front of the TV with him and my family back in 1981.
My first competitive game of outdoor cricket was with Tracy Village Cricket Club in Darwin when I was about 10 or 11. I started in Under 12’s under a coach, Mike Delforno, who taught me a healthy respect for the game and helped me fall in love with it.
I played one season of cricket with Mater Hill Cricket Club in Brisbane when we moved in 1994 and was snapped up by Qld Cricket and South’s Legend, Sam Trimble, after my Dad paid him to give me batting coaching. I played for John Paul College in 1994 and 1995 and was coached by another Qld Cricket Legend, Mike Lucas. Both these men taught me to love the game and really provided the drive to succeed in cricket.
From there I played for South Brisbane District Cricket Club. I played Taverners, all the way up to a first grade premiership side in 2000/2001.
After that I travelled to Neston Cricket Club in the UK to play as an overseas player and under the guidance of a fantastic mentor, John Mooney, who instilled a passion in looking after the turf for cricket which talked me into what I currently do as a Sports Turf Manager.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
I played Fourth Grade straight out of Taverners under a man who also had a huge impact in how to transition from junior cricket to senior cricket. Brian Donnelly was one of the best skippers I played under and he had his hands full trying to tame an opening bowler with anger issues.
What was the highest grade you played and can you remember what you were feeling when you were selected and how did you perform on debut?
I think it was 2002 and I was selected in a Sid Gregory Cup match in the old National Colts competition. Now it is known as State 2nd XI. I got the call up because Nathan Rimmington was injured and I had taken a fair few wickets the season before playing First Grade for SBDCC.
This is where I was introduced to ice baths, Moses Henriques and Phil Jaques. Have poor memories of all three! We were beaten quite convincingly and I didn’t take a wicket. I can’t remember my figures but I bowled plenty of overs and managed to keep the NSW talents under some control while still going for just under 4 an over.
Andy Bichel and Jarrod Bird
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I was an opening bowler who when young, took all his built up anger out on batsmen. I just wanted to bowl fast and intimidate. Over the years, with some fantastic management from my captains, I was able to learn to be a much smarter bowler and be far more effective for my teams.
What were your strengths as a player?
I wasn’t a bad fielder and could hold my own up in any position. Didn’t drop too many catches and wanted to win with a passion that made my insides hurt.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
38 N.O. at Fehlberg Park (SBDCC Home Ground) against University. I batted number 11 and with the number 9 bat, Brett Ambrose we were able to win a match we looked to lose. I hit a six to win the match.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
9 for 78 off 25.2 Overs for SBDCC against Toombul Cricket Club at their home ground, Oxenham Park.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Boyd Williams - scared the crap out of me! Quick!
Greg Rowell - could get a ball to rise off a good length with no effort at all due to his height.
Joe Dawes - always hit my bat very hard! (Great bloke though, never bumped me! Thanks Joey!)
Joe Dawes
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Didn’t face too many but pretty hard to go past Scott O’Leary, aery clever bowler.
Nathan Hauritz - Off-spinner that played for Australia and was always thinking you out.
Steve Paulsen - could bowl everything and kept you guessing every ball.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Martin Love - he had the patience of a saint. I could bowl three maidens and he would wait until I drifted onto middle stump and he would hit me for four!
Andrew Symonds - every shot known to man and could execute all of them 98% of the time.
Wade Seccombe - very patient and an absolute gentleman of a human being. Loved playing cricket against him for a short period.
Martin Love
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Martin Love scored 192 against us and it was one of the most exceptional displays of batting I have ever seen. He only got out because of fatigue! He was an absolute master of his craft.
Was there any bowler/batsman in particular who for whatever reason seemed to always cause you a few problems?
Brendan Schinnick from Valleys always found a way to get dropped early on and then make us all hurt. One of the biggest hitters I have ever come across and ferocious as a player!
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used?
Every time I bowled to Martin Love! I loved the challenge and benchmarked my success on how I performed bowling to him.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
By far it would be my First Grade Skipper for a number of years. Bradley Ruddell. One of the best gloveman I have ever been privileged enough to watch behind the stumps.
Brad Ruddell
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Gavin Fitness for Sandgate-Redcliffe. The most competitive and mentally tough cricketer I ever played against. A fierce competitor behind the stumps and one of the toughest middle order batsmen I’ve bowled against.
Trevor Barsby for Sandgate-Redcliffe. Fantastic human and possibly one of the toughest cricketers I have ever met. Nothing but awe for this man.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Bradley Ruddell. He made measured decisions and listened to me. There was a mutual respect and I would still do anything for him if asked. He was a great leader of men!
Who has been your funniest team mate?
I would have to say either Jack Hurst or Jeff Anning. They were always trying to keep the mood light hearted in every situation and their sense of humour or antics were always something we enjoyed as a team.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Our one day Captain at South’s, Mick Sippel, told all of us that the Eastern Downs team at Gatton had mentioned in their local newspaper that our bowling attack wasn’t strong enough to beat their team. This fired all of us big quicks up and we rolled through them pretty cheaply after a few heated words in the middle. We couldn’t understand the blank look on the batters face when we got stuck into them about the newspaper article……. Until Mick told us he had made the story up to fire us up! It worked but none of us are allowed back to Gatton! ?? ??
Who was your childhood hero?
My Dad and Joel Garner
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
I think I’ve met my fair share of Sportspeople over the years. I would rather have a chat with Brian Cox, Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Charlie Teo.
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
I do like Michael Holding
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Gold Coast Cricket Club, Kerrydale.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Curating the grounds and wicket for a Qld Bulls Sheffield Shield Final win at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Our SBDCC First Grade Premiership Match
South Brisbane DCC Forst Grade Premiers 2000-01
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Being 16 years ago, I don’t see too many of them anymore, but I would love to have all of them over for a BBQ at any time. I can’t break it down to three!
What are your hobbies?
Fishing, Crabbing, Charity
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Spinners aren’t spinners if you don’t let the ball bounce! (Sam Trimble)
What’s your occupation?
I worked for 13 years as Head Grounds Manager for Qld Cricket but have just taken a new direction working for Busy at Work, training long term unemployed in Conservation and Land Management. Something I really enjoy and find very rewarding. A big thank you to Katrina Mackenzie for giving me the opportunity.
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?
Invest in Community cricket and give more support to Junior Cricket through all of the age groups. Stop overcomplicating a simple game and treat it as a game not a reason for players to think they are superstars because they are paid superstar wages. There are plenty of people who make it possible for cricket to happen and it is not all about the players. It is about Cricket as a whole.
