Lee Kirk - never took a backward step
Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club Sydney | March 20, 2023
Lee Kirk made his first grade debut for Waverley Cricket Club during the 1991-92 season. Waverley Cricket Club is now known as Eastern Suburbs Cricket Club,
From 1991 to 2007 Lee scored 5,320 first grade runs at an average of 24.85 and hit 5 centuries and 27 half centuries.
Lee was awarded the tremendous accolade of being nominated in the top 50 players for Waverley/Eastern Suburbs team of 125 years.
Lee Kirk is Waverely/Easts first grade player number 550 and is a very proud Life member of the Club
Let’s find out more about Lee’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1975.
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
I don’t recall the game or how I went but I do remember the nerves rolling up to Rowland Park Daceyville Playing for Botany United. Under 12s. I was a late starter.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I learnt to play cricket in my street growing up in Botany. Playing Cricket on the road with two South African kids. The road wasn’t wide, and they loved to bowl fast. The Telegraph pole was the stumps.
From there they talked me into playing competitively around the age on 11.
Junior Clubs were Botany United, Randwick Botany and Coastal.
Chelmsford Cricket Club in the UK in 1996 and One Sydney Grade club only, Waverley Cricket club now Easts Dolphins. I’m a proud Life Member and First Grade Player #550.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
My grade cricket debut was in 3rd Grade for Waverley at Trumper Park when I was 14.
At what age did you make your first-grade debut in grade cricket, and can you remember how you performed in debut?
It was a week before my 17th Birthday against Manly in 1991/92 at Waverley Oval.
I made 9 opening the batting. We were 2 for 0 off 2 balls. David Gainsford dismissed Greg Small and Darren Kingdom the first two balls of our innings as I stood at the other end.
I was caught second slip by Michael Bevan off Warren Evans.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Opening Batsman. I certainly wasn’t entertaining but I never took a backward step.
NSW Under 19s Cricket team 1993-94
Back row - Robert Smith, Ben Rennie, Garry Sheen
Middle row - Steve Thomlinson (Manager), Robert Aitken, Ashley Shoebridge, Matthew Nicholson, Greg Trevena, David Moore (Coach)
Front row - Brett Lee, Shane Deitz, Corey Richards (captain), Graeme Cunningham, Jason Holley, Lee Kirk
What were your strengths as a player?
Probably my concentration. I was limited but knew my game and strengths.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
156 not out in first grade for Waverley v Sutherland at Waverley Oval. This was in my last season of First grade in 2006/07.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I didn’t bowl for long in grade cricket. But I do recall taking a few in a 5th grade match. 6 for 36 of 18 overs. Balgowlah Oval v Manly playing for Waverley.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Being an opener. There are so many that come to mind.
Brett Lee – Genuine Pace.
Pat Cummins – The fastest bowling I ever faced. Bowled a seriously quick spell to me at Waverley Oval in my last season. It was a gloomy day, light rain and wind coming from the south. He obviously bowled with it and gosh it was quick. Pinned me in the head the second week. A great challenge. He was picked for Australia about 8 months later.
Glenn McGrath – Lucky I played him on a dirt rolled mud slow wicket at Waverley Oval which limited his effectiveness, but he was still so good. Steep bounce consistently.
A couple of others come to mind Simon Cook and Steve Nikitaras
Pat Cummins
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Tom Shiner. In my first full year of first grade, I made a pair against him. I was a shot duck. No Idea as a youngster. Bowled with pure consistency and perfect fields set.
Stuart Macgill – The revs. Biggest spinner I ever played against by a long way.
Ken Hall
Tom Shiner
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Ricky Ponting – His record speaks for itself
Brad Hodge – Should have played so much more test cricket. Incredible player and balance.
Trevor Bayliss & Phillip Hughes.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen first-hand playing with or against?
Trevor Bayliss made a hundred in a session on a windy day at Waverley. Swept everything. Circa 1997. Incredible Innings on an inconsistent wicket.
Trevor Bayliss
Was there any bowler who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Craig Hughes – Mosman. I was embarrassing batting against him for a while there.
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?
My first full year of first grade in 1992/93. As mentioned earlier a pair v Wests at Pratten park certainly comes to mind.
Waverley Cricket Club First Grade Premiers 1991-92
Back Row – Paul Riik (Manager), Lee Kirk, Greg Small, David Boden, Peter Lovitt, Greg Matthews, Gordon George (Scorer), Bob Horsell (President)
Front Row – Mark Pratt, Kyle Thompson, Mark Patterson, Paul Prichard, Darren Kingdon, Malcolm Marshall, Gareth Townsend
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Brad Haddin – Great hands and one of the cleanest hitters of a cricket ball I ever played with or against.
Brad Haddin
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
I have one that stands out.
Kyle Thompson – Superb allrounder, a complete weapon. Fit too. My first picked in any team. 2 time Bill O’Reilly Medallist in 1991/92 & 93/94
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Nick Berry, very smart and a great communicator. Owned it.
Who was the umpire you admired most in the way they managed a game?
I had a good rapport with Marty Edgell. I would often field at square leg, we would talk some absolute dribble as I stood near him.
I also thought Ben Treloar was a very good umpire across all aspects of the game in the period just before I finished playing. Not at all surprised he has gone on to Umpire at higher levels.
Who has been your funniest teammate?
David Cracker Hourn. Without doubt.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
It wasn’t so much on the field. But in the old back room at Waverley oval. A line delivered by Dennis Hourn.
After quite a few drinks in the packed bar. Dennis came staggering into the doorway of the adjoining room and said… (Shouted to the minors he was looking after)
“Get ready kids. We are leaving in 2 HOURS” A funny moment still talked about today amongst a few that were in the room at the time.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Wayne Bennett, Ash Barty and fearless mountaineer Nimsdai Purja.
Nimsdai Purja.
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Kerry O’Keefe. A very funny man.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
North Sydney Oval comes to mind. A beautiful ground and wicket.
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Randwick. The local derby and the nights out with them afterwards were always entertaining.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Probably the day I was called into the SCG as a substitute fielder for the Australian Cricket Team. It was an Ashes Test match v England in 1999. Fifth Test. Steve Waugh tweaked his hamstring, the NSW team was away playing in WA and Aust team management called the closest First grade ground.
I was playing at Waverley Oval in Bondi when they called and requested a sub.
I remember jumping in a cab straight to the SCG. I was escorted into the Australian dressing room and was lucky enough to hang out with them for 3 days. Stuart MacGill took 12 wickets in the match and Darren Gough took a hat trick.
I remember running up the hill at the back of the SCG to Paddington to buy celebratory bottles of Moey in the tea break for Stuart MacGill.
No idea why this type of grog wasn’t already at the ground. A memorable few days.
Stuart MacGill
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
These blokes
Mark Patterson, Kevin Roche, Greg Matthews, Peter Lovitt, Adam Smith, Adrian Tucker, Kyle Thompson, Glen Giddings, Lee Kirk
What are your hobbies?
I paddle a surf ski. It’s completely invigorating in the great big ocean.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Cricket is a great Leveller. Never take it for granted. (Greg Mathews)
What is your occupation?
ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions. I sell hotels Locking solutions and Energy Management.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
I coach part time as a contractor to Cricket NSW as a batting specialist. Pathway programs Under 17s and 19s Male. I’ve also recently started some coaching on the Central Coast for a Country NSW Youth Academy program.
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?
Reintroduce two day matches in State Carnivals.
