Michael Sippel - watch the ball

South Brisbane District Cricket Club | April 10, 2023

Michael Sippel made his first grade debut for south Brisbane district Cricket Club during the 1995/96 and is the proud owner of first grade player number 548.

In 107 innings for the club he scored 2,799 runs at an average of 27.71 with a highest score of 141.

2001/02 was Michael most productive season when he scored 675 runs and hit 3 centuries in the season 141, 131, 121.

Michael was a valuable member of South Brisbane 2000/01 first grade premiership winning team.

In moving back home and playing in the Ipswich competition for Laidley District Cricket Competition Michael continues to dominate.

In over 250 first grade games for Laidley he has scored in excess of 10,000 runs and taken more than 500 wickets.

Let’s find out more about Michael’s journey in the game 

Michael Sippel batting for Laidley DCC in Ipswich

What year you were born?

1975

Can you remember your first game of cricket?

I think I was about 9 years old. My brother and I just couldn’t wait to start playing cricket as our older cousins were already playing. We played for our local club, Forest Hill, in the Lockyer Valley competition. I think I batted 11 and didn’t get a bowl.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

Growing up in the beautiful farming region of the Lockyer Valley, we were very fortunate as kids to have supportive parents who would drive us for hours at times to get to our junior cricket matches. As a junior I spent ages 9 through to 15 playing for Forest Hill. We only lost 1 game in that entire time. We had some brilliant young cricketers in that era. One of whom went on to play for Australia at Under 17 level. I was playing Senior cricket by the age of 14 and made my local A grade debut at 15. I spent the next season at Brothers Diggers in the Toowoomba competition and after making the Queensland Under 19 team, migrated to the South Brisbane District Cricket Club to link up with some of my teammates from that side.

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

Back then Country kids were offered the opportunity to experience the Grade cricket scene by being put with Brisbane Clubs in the Metway Cup (One Day Competition). I was fortunate enough in my last year of high school to play with the Gold Coast Dolphins which included some great people such as Bruce Oxenford, Matthew Mott, Scott Muller, Jeff Pfaff and Andrew Symonds. The following year I played my first full season of First Grade at the South Brisbane District Cricket Club.

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

Coming from the Country, I didn’t end up coming through the Grades at Souths. I was very fortunate to find myself batting at number 5 on debut for the Souths First Grade team. It had caused a big stir amongst the stalwarts of the club as I hadn’t done the hard yards to earn my spot.

My first game was at Dauth Park against Beenleigh Logan. My father drove me to the game and we pulled into a sports store on the way to buy a helmet. I had never worn one before and with all the hype around the pace of Eddie Marriner, I thought it best to be prepared.

I found myself padding up next to long time South’s opening batsman, Mal Edwards, after his dismissal. The bruises on his body were something I’d never witnessed on a cricket field. I was immediately scared.

The first ball I faced was from Eddie Marriner and it didn’t disappoint. It landed in his half of the pitch and collided with my newly purchased lid. As I watched it bounce into the pickets over the keepers head, I turned to find Eddie next to me breathing down my neck. I ended up settling into a good innings, being dismissed LBW for 98. 

South Brisbane District Cricket Club 1997 A Grade team - 100 year anniversary

Back Row - Lance Kahler, Michael Sippel, Andrew Harris, Paul Argent, Jack Rowan, Andrew Bichel.

Front Row - Brett Ambrose, Matthew Lunn, Brad Ruddell (Captain), Glen Rogers, Jason Lunt

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

For the 9 years I played at Souths, I was primarily a middle order batsmen. At times our captain Brad Ruddell would call on me to bowl a few overs but we were blessed with some very good bowlers including guys like Andy Bichel. My old teammates would agree that when Andy played club cricket, good luck getting the ball off him.

What were your strengths as a player?

In my 20’s I suppose I was often described as a hard hitting left hander. I loved batting against quick bowling and always thought I could score off most balls. Much to our captain’s frustration I would get going in an innings and find a way to get out. I went back to play for The Laidley Cricket Club in the Ipswich cricket competition and developed my bowling as well. It was there that I think I learnt the art of batting for long periods and made a few good scores along the way.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

261 for Laidley verse Swifts in the Ipswich competition.

Michael Sippel batting in the Darling Downs Bush Bash League

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

9 for 28 verse Eastern Raiders also in the Ipswich competition.

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

Just for sheer pace, it is hard to go past Shoaib Akhtar. I was playing for a Queensland Invitation Eleven in a match verse the touring Pakistan team at Allan Border Oval. In the match I had faced Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, but Shoaib’s run up alone was intimidating. Ball was definitely hitting bat that day.

I am the same age as Brett Lee, so we had grown up playing various underage State games against each other. I remember him ripping out our batsmen one after the other at a Syd Gregory Colts match in Sydney. He was a level above all of us.

Whilst I never played against our opening bowler at Souths, Paul Argent, I loved what he brought to our team. We were a group of young guys on a mission to win the Premiership. Sadly, he retired not long before we won the competition. He definitely left his mark on our young bowling group….. all bar the pre-game ciggies and can of coke. Not something you will see these days.

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

I my time in Grade cricket, guys like Nathan Hauritz, Scott O’Leary and Matt Anderson were dominating this space. On their day, all of them were equally as hard to handle.

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

The intimidation factor in Matt Hayden’s batting was something else. As young guys we would rock up to games at Valley’s to see his brother Gary throwing him balls in the nets prior to the game. He was the ultimate professional. From ball one he would walk down the wicket and smack the bowlers over their head. He scored about 160 against us at a game at Valley’s and I was just in awe of his clean striking.

I grew up playing with and against Andrew Symonds. His striking power was something I was fortunate enough to witness first hand when I played a few games at the Dolphins. He was captain of the Queensland Colts team when we played NSW at the Gabba in 1995. The NSW team had future stars in Brett Lee, Stuart Clark and Nathan Bracken. The 160 he scored was just a sign of things to come.

In the Ipswich competition, it would be remiss of me not to mention Brian May. His appetite for batting was second to none. In another era he would have played many games for Queensland.

Matthew Hayden

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

Having been fortunate to have played with, and still playing with my brother Gerard, it is hard to go past some of the innings he has played for our club. My teammates at Laidley would agree that when the chips were down, Gerard could turn a game on its head. I have stood at the non-strikers end many times over the years and marvelled at some of the innings he had played under tough circumstances.

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

There was a time when any bowler at Sandgate caused problems. Whether it was the famous Sandgate Ridge, just on a good length. Or the banter from behind the stumps. Guys like Brendan Creevey, Paul Pink and Nathan Rimmington knew how to exploit it.

Michael brother Gerard and Gerard'14 year old son Joe and Michael Sippel.

Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to? 

Not so much from a batting perspective but being scared for my life in the field. We were playing a 2 day match verse a full strength New Zealand side at Allan Border Oval in 2001. We scored over 400 on day one of the match. Jerry Cassel scored a century and Lee Carseldine a double. On day two we had them in early trouble. Enter Chris Cairns and Craig McMillan. Some of the cleanest ball striking I can remember through all my years of playing. Allan Border Oval is not the biggest field but it felt like an ash tray that day.

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

Brad Ruddell was very good behind the stumps at Souths. Hard not to admire his professionalism on and off the field. An absolute gentleman as well. I also can’t go past a guy not many will know in Adam Staunton. Even in his 50’s I am in awe of his glove work in local cricket.

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

For sheer determination, Matt Goggin from Sandgate was a dogged competitor. At times he would drag his side out of trouble in the toughest of circumstances. He would always make you work hard for his wicket.

From a skill perspective, Norths and then later, Brothers Diggers in Toowoomba had Mick Miller. Very skilful with both bat and ball. I remember him leaving Toowoomba to try his hand at Grade cricket at a young age. He was literally winning games with either bat or ball. Could have been anything.

Michael's cousin Chris Wilson and Michael after winning the darling Downs Bush bash League in 2021

Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with? And if you could add a few words to why

At Souths, Brad Ruddell was the right man to bring a young group of guys through to win a premiership. He was selfless in his own ambitions and managed a young team brilliantly well. He was critical of your performance when he needed to be and praised you when you stood up.

Who has been your funniest team mate?

Lance Kahler…. not sure he knew it though.

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

Not so much in recent times as the game has really mellowed. Backtrack 25 years ago and the banter was borderline at times. One thing was for sure though, both teams would always have a beer together and leave it on the field.

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

There has been many including hitting a straight drive back to the non strikers end and hitting my batting partner on the helmet and being caught. I think he ended up walking off with me retired hurt.

In more recent times, I was run out in a Grand Final without facing a ball. It wasn’t so much the dismissal but the burnout I did in the carpark through frustration. Did make me feel better though.

Who was your childhood hero?

Allan Border. My bedroom wall was littered with posters of players from that era.

Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?

Roger Federer, Usain Bolt and Michael Jordan.

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Kerry O’Keeffe when he was on the ABC some years ago. My wife is not a cricket fan but when Kerry was on, she was happy to listen. There really needs to be an uncensored cricket channel where the Commentators can stop being politically correct and tell it like it is. Andrew Symonds would be fantastic. 

What was your favourite ground to play at?

In the earlier years I loved playing at Allan Border Oval. Flat track and short square boundaries. These days I can’t go past Bichel Oval in Laidley. Many great memories there.

Was there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?

In the South’s days we looked forward to playing Sandgate at Sandgate. It was tough cricket and a measure of how good you were going. They played hard and didn’t give an inch. Those early years against them moulded us into a very good cricket team by the late 90’s.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Hard to say. My First Grade Career in both Brisbane and Ipswich has spanned 29 seasons. That’s a lot of cricket matches to look back on. Thanks to the wonderful work of Ipswich cricket legend, Wayne Jones, all of Ipswich Cricket’s History can be dated back well over 100 years. I am very proud of my contribution to this history. But personal achievements haven’t been anywhere near as enjoyable as achieving success with 10 of your mates at the end of a hard season. I’ve been lucky enough to win a few premierships with both Souths and Laidley. They have all been memorable.

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

To win the QCA premiership with Souths against University in 2000/2001 was a great achievement. I batted in partnership with Brad Ruddell to swing the momentum back in our favour on day 1. Our bowlers also did a great job against a highly fancied Uni batting line-up to keep us in the match. I felt we deserved it after the many lean years we had prior.

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

Adam Staunton, Chris Johnson, and Clinton McGrath. All great players in their day.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

The old throwaway line “Watch the Ball” is the best advice any batter can receive. My father used to drum this into us all the time. Turns out he was right.

Presentation to Michael Sippel from Laidley District Cricket Club

What is your occupation and who do you work for – we will give them a plug

I am the National Sales Manager for Terranova Seeds.

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

Yes, still playing for Laidley. While the body is holding up and the desire is there, I’ll keep playing. I’m also involved in the Ipswich Hornets over 40’s side.

If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities be to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?

• Every Club would love to find a way to keep retiring First Grade players in the game. Albeit back down through the Grades. Sadly, players are retiring at younger ages and with it goes the experience. There seems to be too much focus from State Cricket Administrators for kids to make it by the time they are 21 or they are considered too old. Many of the best batsman only begin to learn their craft by the time they are in their thirties.
• The Bulls Master’s program has done a lot for Cricket in Regional parts of Queensland. Keep supporting this program for all the great work it does.