Josh Holt - don’t get struck by lightning
Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club Sydney | July 26, 2023
Josh Holt made his first grade debut for Eastern Suburbs as a wicket keeper batter on 26 October 2002.
Josh is Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club first grade player number 597.
Let’s find out more about Josh’s journey in the game.
What year you were born?
1980, Paddington N.S.W
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
It would have been for Vaucluse Primary School. I did ok at that age as I ended up in the Public Schools NSW XI. The National Championship was held in the Riverina. I also joined Waverly Cricket Club as a Junior.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
In my late teens I played in the St Joseph’s College First XI, Combined NSW GPS First XI, and got picked in the Australian Marist XI.
After I left school, I joined Randwick Cricket Club playing second grade and Poidevin Gray. I wanted to play First Grade, so I moved to Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club.
I spent 2 seasons in the U.K and played for Hertfordshire.
I was selected in the NSW State League XI 2007 which was an amazing honour. Our team consisted of Steve Smith, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Moises Henriques, Dan Christian, Tom Cooper, Aaron O’Brien, Josh Holt, Trent Copeland, Nathan Bracken, Bert Cockley and Nathan Hauritz. Not a bad line up to be part of.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
It was with Randwick in 3rd Grade and Poidevin Gray straight after I left school. I was 18.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed on debut?
It was the 2002/03 season, and I was picked in First Grade for Eastern Suburbs against Parramatta at Old Kings. I took 5 dismissals and a sharp leg side stumping standing up to James Le Huray (who was no slouch) so I was happy with my first game.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Wicket Keeper Batter
What were your strengths as a player?
Certainly, my wicket keeping was my strength. I thought it was always of a high standard. I was proud of that. Unfortunately, when you play on a side full of NSW and Australian players you don’t get many opportunities with the bat. I was always supportive of my bowlers and kept my fielders going all day.
Who was the best spinner you had the good fortune to keep to?
Without a doubt Adrian Tucker. He was a freak. Tucks had an incredible ability to not only have wicket taking deliveries but also had the skill to tie down and frustrate batsmen for long periods. He was incredibly accurate. When Tucks came on you could feel the immediate pressure applied to every batsman. As a keeper you had to concentrate as he had so many subtle variations. I loved keeping to Tucks.
Adrian Tucker
Who was the best fast bowler you kept to?
It’s a long list. I felt in our 1st Grade Premiership 2003/04 season Kirk Powell had a great presence. It may have been his tall, scary West Indian appearance but batsmen were generally always on the back foot. Nathan Bracken was class and Paul Byrom had great line and length and Justin Dery always had a knack of getting an early pole or two with genuine swing. It was a great and balanced attack.
Was there anyone bowler who you really enjoyed keeping to?
I loved keeping to all our bowlers. Especially Tucks. Anthony Pratt (a good mate of mine) who came into the side in later years I thought was a fantastic bowling all-rounder. Always hit the gloves hard, charged in and was great in the field and in the change room. A great guy to have around any team.
Can you recall a catch or stumping that still fills you with pride and puts a smile on your face?
The leg side stumping standing up to fast bowler James Le Huray in my first game in First Grade was fulfilling. I took a nice leg glance catch up to the stumps of Adrian Tucker which I also liked.
Playing against my old club Randwick-Petersham in 2004/2005 at Waverly Oval I took 5 dismissals including the 3 stumping’s of Simon Katich, Usman Khawaja and Daryl Parmenter (keeper). That was a memorable win and a satisfying day.
What was your highest score in senior cricket? For which club and where
124 for Easts v Campbeltown at Raby.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Being a keeper I never really bowled, but I did take 7/55 for St Albans CC in a Hertfordshire Premier League game in the U.K while giving my knees a break in the off season.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Doug Bollinger was always tearing in and competitive.
Brett Lee even in the early days had that raw pace and talent. You knew he was going to play for Australia.
Don Nash always bowled well at grade level and got plenty of wickets. He had a great yorker.
Doug Bollinger
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Greg Mathews was always a challenge, extremely competitive and entertaining. I remember once he held up a game to come down the wicket and explain to me what was wrong with my batting technique while playing his deliveries and what I should do to improve. The umpires had to tell him to be quiet and just bowl.
Stuart Magill was absolute class and turned the ball a long way.
For a finger spinner Jason Krejza had the ability to turn the ball and had good drift.
Greg Matthews
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
This list could be 15 people. Simon Katich always had plenty of time. Phil Jaques scored a mountain of runs most times we played him. Michael Clarke for obvious reasons and Greg Mail whose concentration was phenomenal and he was always incredibly difficult to get out. Phillip Hughes was fantastic. Ed Cowan was super and scored plenty of grade runs but thankfully we nicked him out cheaply in the 1st Grade One Day Final against Sydney University in 2003/04. I was not going to drop that chance.
Simon Katich
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
There have been plenty. I would say the two digs Jason Swift played in the 2003/04 1st Grade Final were fantastic under extreme pressure.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
I just turned 18 and went straight into grade cricket after playing G.P.S cricket. I still had my Joeys cricket shirt on in my first game and the opposition certainly let me know in no uncertain way that I was not playing prim and proper cricket anymore.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Brad Haddin was great with good technique although most times he was back from higher duties I kept the gloves on which I appreciated. Nathan Pilon from St George also had lovely hands.
Who are the people that exemplified the spirit of cricket in your era?
We had some really top people at Easts. Steven Musgrave I thought was a great leader within the club and all the players admired him. A great guy. Our wonderful President at the time Bob Horsell was such a gentleman who made everyone including spectators and family feel so welcome. Bob Wilson was there every week lending a hand. Howard and Loraine Warner (David Warners parents) who were in the canteen week after week making sure everyone was fed.
Mick O’Çonnell our first Grade Manager, Owen Ridge our scorer and Peter “Chook Lovitt” who was always there making sure we had everything we needed to succeed. Great people. There were many more but this for me is exactly what cricket is all about.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Mark Patterson was an outstanding captain on every level. He had such a fantastic way of communicating with his players and he created such a wonderful playing environment which in turn was one of the main reasons we were so successful in 2003/04 winning 3 x 1st Grade Premierships. Patto fielded at slip and would regularly ask me my opinion on the game, the bowlers, and tactics. I appreciated that and it installed further confidence in myself and in turn made me a better and more confident player.
Patto always made sure you knew what was expected of you. I broke my finger keeping in the 1st Grade One Day Final and the following week we had a big game against Bankstown. He came up to me at training on the Thursday and said, “You right to play?” I said, “Yes.” Patto said, “Great, but just remember come Saturday nobody gives a shit if you finger is broken.” There were no excuses.
Mark Patterson
Who has been your funniest team mate?
The whole change room in the 2003/04 season was the best I have ever experienced. We had such a good team spirit and probably the reason we were so successful. The banter between Jeff Cook and Jason Swift was always incredibly entertaining and funny. Cooky loved his Rugby League trivia and had the ability to tell a great story.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
I was putting on my undies before a game and they ripped. Dave Warner was a young bloke then and thought it was very funny. I made the comment I needed some new undies. The next week when I arrived for Day 2 there was a brand new 10 pack of Bonds undies on top of my kit. I said who put these here? Dave Warner piped up and said “you needed some new undies, so I sorted it for you.” Dave use to stock the shelves at Woolworths at night while still at school. Whether or not he paid for the undies still remains a mystery……… It makes me laugh that one of Australia’s best opening batsmen sorted my underwear problem. That is Davy though. Loyal as hell.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
I was sent in as nightwatchman in my first 1st Grade game. Our skipper Mark Patterson said for me to keep my head down and get through to stumps. As usual Parramatta were very chirpy, and it go the best of me. I tried to pump their spinner in the last over down the ground and got out. Patto didn’t talk to me for an hour. Lesson learnt.
Who was your childhood hero?
Ian Healy. Still the best technical wicketkeeper I have ever seen.
Ian Healy
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
I would love to get Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and Shane Warne into a room. Imagine the stories they could tell!
Tiger Woods
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Hands down, Bill Lawry. There will never be another like him.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Waverley Oval.
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
I always enjoyed playing in the local derby against Randwick-Petersham. In those days we seemed to have the wood over them on most occasions. Playing Sydney University and Bankstown was always a good challenge and test, as they always fielded competitive sides.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Winning the 3 x 1st Grade Premierships in 2003/04. You can’t beat that really. It was such an enjoyable season not only because we won but the spirit of that change room is something I will never forget.
Playing at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) was also an incredible memory.
Michael O’Connell (Manager); Adam Ezekiel (12th Man); Kyle Thompson (Coach); Peter Lovitt (Vice President); Kirk Powell; Paul Byrom, Nick Berry, Josh Holt, Adrian Tucker, Will Somerville, Bob Wilson (Secretary); Bob Horsell (President)
Jeff Cook, Justin Dery, Michael Maclennan, Mark Patterson (Captain), Jason Swift, Andrew Jeffrey, Brad Haddin
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
I would say everyone from the 1st Grade Premiership team of 2003/04. We are well due for a reunion. That would be a great day.
What are your hobbies?
I love my golf and I do enjoy getting out on the water and having a fish. Although I have been so busy over the last couple of years finishing off my Postgraduate University work that both have suffered greatly.
What’s your occupation?
T.V Weather Presenter, Network 10. Meteorologist & Climate Specialist.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Don’t get struck by lightning.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Not at the moment. I found it very difficult stepping away from cricket due to my work career when I was still playing well in 2007. Now that I am older, I would like to go back to Easts at some stage and be involved at some level.
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?
I have obviously not played in a while, but I have been told that the Grade competition is not as strong as it once was. I guess grass roots is where you must put your money but at the same time ensuring you have a very strong and competitive competition. Too much cricket and too many teams will dilute the standard of cricket over time.
