Peter Dickson - do the basics well
Fitzroy Doncaster Cricket Club | March 28, 2024
Peter Dickson spent 20 years making a name for himself as one of the most prized wickets in Victorian Premier Cricket. After coming through the junior ranks at Melbourne, ‘Dicko’ moved to Fitzroy Doncaster, turning out for the Lions 246 times in the top grade while captaining them to flags in 2015/16 and 2016/17, before retiring at the end of last season.
Peter is a member of the Cricket Victoria 200 club having played 298 first games and scored 10,045 runs at an average of 37.67 including 15 centuries and 54 half centuries.
With the ball Peter took 200 wickets at 22.96 with best figures of 7 for 42 and took 5 wickets in an innings on 4 occasions.
Let’s find out more about Peter’s journey in the game
Austbrokers Countrywide Insurance Brokers are proud sponsors of Fitzroy Doncaster District Cricket Club
What year you were born?
1983
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I was 6 years old, playing U12’s. My Dad told my Mum it was U/8s because she wouldn’t have let me play against kids 6 years older. I remember making 0 but bowling economically.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I went to Trinity Grammar where I played school cricket, from there is I was selected in Melbourne’s Dowling team. After Dowling I moved into Melbourne’s senior team. After 5 years at the Melbourne Cricket Club I moved across to Fitzroy Doncaster where I played until I was 37 retiring last season.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
16 in the 2nd XI for Melbourne Cricket Club.
At what age did you make your first-grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I will never forget it, I was 17 playing against Frankston-Peninsula. Washed out week 1, the second week Frankston batted for 60 overs and left us (roughly) 30 overs to get 220. I was pushed down the order as I wasn’t known for my fast scoring. Melbourne got the runs and players like Ayres, Kent, McDonald, Anderson all got runs and I remember thinking how good these guys are. It was some of the best batting I have ever seen.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Initially was an opening batsman, after several stints in the UK I also become a medium pace bowler. Didn’t really start bowling properly until I was 24 or 25. As I got older I began batting at 2nd drop, particularly if I had bowled it gave me the chance to reset before having to go out and bat.
What were your strengths as a player?
As a batsman I tried to bat for long periods and put high value on my wicket. Bowling wise I lacked pace but was accurate and could swing the ball, a lot of premier wickets suited my bowling with low and slow type tracks.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
226 for Fitzroy Doncaster in 2015/16 Grand Final v Ringwood
Dickson celebrating his ton in the 2015/16 Grand Final
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
7 for 42 v Camberwell at Camberwell
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Darren Pattinson – was super competitive and barely bowled a bad ball. You always felt like he could knick you out (often did)
Chris Street – played with and against him. Was a phenomenal talent who could have not picked up a ball for 6 months and would run in and bowl the perfect outswinger on a length. His first ball and last ball were always the same too, tremendous competitor
Shane Harwood – the best I have ever played against. Not only could he swing the ball at pace, but he also loved inflicting pain on the batsman. His radar for bouncers was the best I have ever seen, regularly hit batters. Was tremendous at working out a batsman’s weakness
Shane Harwood
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Bryce McGain – never bowled a bad ball and always had the courage to continue throwing the ball up above the batter’s eye line. For such a tough art he made it look easy, always played with a smile on his face too
Fawad Ahmed – Bit like Bryce, made leg spin look easy and had such beautiful rhythm. A very good wrong-un which was almost impossible to pick and changed up his pace so well.
Brenton McDonald – Never played as much state cricket as he should have. Bowled fast leg spin and made the batsman play all the time. Could never pick his wrong-un and was the hardest bowler to start your innings against.
Bryce McGain
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Graeme Rummans – Most people would say the same thing. Ability to score runs, making it look so easy. Was too good for Premier Cricket and had a way of getting to 20 odds without blinking
Warren Ayres – As a young player at Melbourne, I was in awe of him. When I left Melbourne, I watched him make some big scores against Fitzroy. He looked perfect and played all the shots.
David King – Probably a bit different to the above two but his appetite for runs and big scores was elite. Had a method which worked and just couldn’t get him out. One of the best accumulators of runs I have ever seen. He could very well become Victorian Premier Cricket’s greatest every run scorer
Graeme Rummans
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Matthew Frith for Fitzroy Doncaster v St. Kilda. Fitzroy had recruited him from St. Kilda after he had moved to Melbourne from Sydney. It was a tense game, and he came out and made a run a ball 100 and didn’t play a false shot on a slow, hard to score wicket. One of the most talented batting all-rounders I have ever seen. Always showed up on big occasions also.
Was there any batsman that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted their wicket?
Nick Jewell from St. Kilda. Loved a scrap and was always so hard to get out. Had a terrific record in finals and was often the backbone of St. Kilda’s innings. Had a terrific first class record also and was part of a very successful era at St. Kilda CC.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Peter Roach was one of the most competitive people I have ever played with. Tremendous gloveman and batsman. Knew what it took to win games and really changed my outlook on how the game was played.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played with?
Matt Frith was one of the best all-rounders I have ever played with. Always had an impact on games whether it was with bat or ball. Also played better against better teams and in finals.
Lloyd Mash one of the best players to ever play at Fitzroy Doncaster. Classical left-hand batsman who made it look so easy. Fantastic back footy player and played a huge role in our 2016/17 premiership when he made a match winning 95.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Peter Roach came to Fitzroy after a tough season and instilled a winning culture in the group that year. Was super competitive but also had a great way of bringing his teammates into the game
Who has been your funniest teammate?
Ben Waterman otherwise known as Moose for his abnormal melon size head. Great competitor on the field who gave some great send offs but was still loved by opposition.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Fitzroy Doncaster played Prahran. We were getting belted everywhere. Neil Schlittler was having a field day and was fast approaching his 100 at tea. During the tea break I decided I would steal his inners. When the game re-started Neil would not commence batting until his “lucky” inners had been found. Fitzroy players were heckling him to start and we didn’t have time to wait around until he had found his inners. Eventually he turned to me and said, “What’s that in your pocket”? I emptied the wrong pocket, eventually having Neil ask your other pocket in which his two lucky inners fell out. It didn’t end well for me or Fitzroy with Neil ending up with 160 and I was labelled a thief by his teammates. Still to this day we have banter and a laugh about that day.
Peter Dickson bowling
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
Handled ball vs Melbourne. Still to this day I swear it came off my elbow
Who was your childhood hero?
Steve Waugh and Dean Jones
Dean Jones
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Fitzroy Doncaster home ground Schramms Reserve. Clubs hated playing there, but we loved it and had a period of 3 seasons where we lost 1 game at home.
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
My final few years it was always a heated game against Melbourne University. Think it bought out the best in both teams and created some rivalry which hopefully continues.
What did you enjoy most about playing cricket?
I loved Premier Cricket for so many reasons. You got the opportunity to play against state / international players. I know the thrill Fitzroy guys get when Glenn Maxwell would walk into the change rooms.
Premier cricket was always played in a tough non-compromising manor, you couldn’t get away taking short cuts no matter how good you were.
Peter Dickson on his way to 226 in 2015/16
The scoreboard as Peter Dickson reaches his double century in 2015/16 final
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
The 2015/16 premiership at Fitzroy. It had been 16 years since the clubs last win. Was a great few day celebrating with so many who had been loyal to the club for so many years.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
A semi-final against Dandenong where they needed 1 run to win and we needed 2 wickets in the final over. Trent Lawford bowled one of the best overs I’ve seen to get two lbws.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Glenn Maxwell because he would pay for the meat and beers
Trent Lawford because he would drink all the beers and eat all the food Maxwell bought.
My best mate and premiership team-mate Tim Sheehan who is very sensible and would keep the others in check.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Peter Petricola Italian Cricketer, Cameron Smith Melbourne Storm and Tyrone Mings English footballer
Tyrone Mings
What are your hobbies?
Cooking even though not great.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Do the basics the best!
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
I am playing at great local club in Eastern Cricket Association called East Doncaster. So far have really enjoyed the club, plenty of great people involved.
If you were running Cricket Vic what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
This maybe more of a Cricket Australia decision but I would love to see state second XI come back rather Future U23’s competition. I feel like this would make Premier Cricket across the country more relevant and meaningful to guys 25-30 who could still carve out a first-class career. Would also make the state seconds competition stronger.
Also, more assistance and resources for coaches, the turnover of coaches at premier level is far too high. A job which is basically full-time but pays part time wage because most clubs don’t have resources and assistance available
