Shane King - nothing comes easy
Paul Ryan | May 10, 2023
Shane King was a talented wicket keeper batter from the ACT and was selected in the Australian Under 19 Development Squad in 1991-92.
Shane moved to Victoria to further his cricketing journey and over many years has made a significant contribution to the game as a player, coach and volunteer.
Let’s find out more about Shane’s journey in the game.
Shane King - wicket keeper
What year you were born?
1973
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
It was for the Ginninderra U11s. I remember taking a one-handed diving catch at square leg and taking two wickets. I obviously did not make many as I can not remember how many I scored with the bat.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey.
I started playing for the Ginninderra Cricket Club in the ACT. We moved house when I was 15 and I played for Northern Districts (Norths). I had one year at Tuggeranong Cricket Club and then moved back to Norths which had merged with City Daramalan and became Canberra North Daramalan CC. The ACT was playing a four day game against the AIS and at lunch on one of the days Rod Marsh sat next to me and told me I had to move interstate if I wanted to take cricket to the next level. I had clubs from Sydney and Queensland contacted me, but I opted to move to Melbourne as my father lived there. I started at Essendon Cricket Club, and it did not work out as I would have hoped, and I finished the second half of the season at Port Melbourne Cricket Club in the Sub-District competition. For the rest of my cricket, I played and coached at numerous cricket clubs.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I was 15 in the 4th Grade at Norths.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I was 17 and I can't remember how I went, so I assume I didn't have on influence on the game.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I was a wicket keeper who batted in the middle to lower order.
What were your strengths as a player?
I thought I was mentally strong.
You were selected in the Australian Under 19 Development Squad in 1991-92 along with Ricky Ponting, Martin Love, Jimmy Maher and Shane Lee, what do you remember about the games you played and the experience?
I was selected in Under 19 Development Squad at the end of the Under 19 National Championships, I was already representing the ACT against State 2nd XI teams, so I went into the carnival extremely confident.
From memory, I averaged 40.00 odd with the bat and my keeping was good. I remember playing against Tasmania and Ponting was only 16 or 17 and he made 100odd against us and was all class. Unfortunately, that year the Australian U19 side did not play any international games, we just went on a camp at the AIS in Adelaide
Who was the best spinner you had the good fortune to keep to?
At the camp at the AIS, I kept to Shane Warne but I would say a leg spinner named Graham Bush.
Who was the best fast bowler you kept to?
Phil Newport was all class.
Was there anyone bowler who you really enjoyed keeping to?
I have two, Stuart Karppinen as we were great friends growing up and I enjoyed keeping to Chris Killen as he was just a nasty piece of work.
Shane King - batting
Can you recall a catch or stumping that still fills you with pride and puts a smile on your face?
Once again, I have two. A one handed diving catch to dismiss Tim Nielson off the bowling of Mark Steel at the Adelaide Oval in a state 2nd XI match and a leg side stumping off Graham Bush in the final of the NSW country cup.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
My highest score is 219 not out for Werribee Centrals Cricket Club.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
It was the last round of the 2013/14 season and I was the captain of the Footscray 4th XI and we played St.Kilda. We had such a young side and with the overs limit restrictions for junior players, I had to bowl. I took 4 for 45 from 17 overs, I’ll never forget it as I couldn't walk for three days !!!!
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Shane George was fast and nasty. Was probably the only time I thought I could get hurt batting.
Phil Newport, an outstanding swing bowler with control
Arron Edrich, a left armer who I only played club cricket with but I have no doubt he could have made the grade if it was not for injury.
Shane George
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Stuart McGill, we played a four-day game against the academy, and from memory, he bowled 60 overs straight. He spun it and had control.
Mushtaq Ahmed, struggled to pick him.
Peter Such who had bounce and control.
Stuart MacGill
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Michael Slater, two weeks earlier we had played a tour game against England and Slater had yet to make his first-class debut and I thought he was a nicer player than any of the England batsmen. Adam Gilchrist, I played against him three times from memory, and he made a 100 each time
Ponting ended up pretty good.
Ricky Ponting
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Darren Webber in a 2nd XI game against South Australia, scored a 130 odd and he did not look like getting out, it was just full of class and he had all the shots.
Was there any bowler or batsman in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Gilchrist, his lowest score when I played against him was 110.
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?
Batting against Shane George, I gloved him over the keeper's head twice for four and he was angry. I deadset thought I could get hurt.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I worked a few times with Ian Healy, and he was brilliant. We played a game against England and Jack Russell was special. His hands were so soft and you could not hear the ball hitting his gloves.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Nick Speak, was the first professional player that I had come across and was a huge influence on my game and John Bull, you always knew you were in a game when he was on the opposition team list.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Nick Speak, saw things before they happened.
Nick Speak
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Scott Cawsey, just made you laugh with what he did.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
I was batting and David Hookes asked me if I had just oiled my pads (that's the edited version).
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
Greg Irvine was bowling leg spinners and I hit a chest high full toss straight to mid wicket.
Who was your childhood hero?
Ian Healy.
Ian Healy
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
James Macdonald, Zac Purton and Nash Rawiller.
Nash Rawiller
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Michael Atherton.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Manuka Oval in Canberra
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
I have two. Watching my son Lachlan make his Victorian Premier 1st XI debut for Greenvale CC and also watching Lachlan make 109 for Footscray 4th XI at 14 years of age.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
1992-93 from memory Canberra North chased down close to 400 against Ginninderra who had Phil Newport (Test Cricketer) and Steve O’Shaughnessy (first class player) in the attack.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
David Buchanan (Werribee CC), Trent Milne (Werribee Centrals CC ) and Damien Roach (Werribee Centrals CC ).
What are your hobbies?
Socializing with friends, Horse Racing, EPL and AFL
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Nothing comes easy.
What’s your occupation?
I work for a company called Action Engineering Service Group. Anything maintenance related we are your people.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Not currently, the last involvement I had was in 2016/17 where I did a little bit of coaching and was 3rd XI captain at Greenvale Premier CC.
Batting for Greenvale Premier CC 2016/17
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 would reward Premier Cricket performances over junior potential and I would try to close the gap between the top and bottom premier clubs, so the Premier competition is strong.
