Leigh Watts - hard work and commitment
Fitzroy Doncaster Cricket Club | February 06, 2023
Leigh Watts made his first grade debut for Fitzroy Cricket Club (now Fitzroy Doncaster) during the 1981/82 season and in 253 matches until 1999-2000 he scored 6,889 first grade runs at an average of 30.75. Leigh hit 7 centuries, 41 half centuries and took 100 catches.
With the ball Leigh took 155 wickets at 29.25 and took 5 wickets or more in an innings on 5 occasions.
A member of the Cricket Victoria 200 club Leigh is also in the Fitzroy Doncaster Hall of Fame and a Life Member.
Let’s find out more about Leigh’s journey in the game.
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What year you were born?
1964
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
It was for Dunolly Under 18 making up the numbers. I was about 8 and fielded fine leg to fine leg, in white shorts and did not bat or bowl.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I started my cricket at Dunolly then moved to Maryborough to live at played for Maryborough juniors and a few games of cricket in the seniors. I played for Fitzroy in 1978 starting in the 4ths and playing with Fitzroy and the Edinburgh Under 16’s in the morning. I played at Fitzroy/ Fitzroy- Doncaster until 1999. I Played 3 seasons with Rosebank CC and was lucky enough to play a few games with my son at Banyule CC and a few games at Fitzroy-Doncaster CC 4th XI with him.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I played in the 4th X1 at 13.
At what age did you make your first-grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I made my 1st X1 debut at 16 and had a blinder. I made a first ball duck bowled by Simon Davis, never got a wicket, and bowled 5 wides in my first 2 overs. A positive was I didn’t drop a catch.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I was a batsman that bowled some medium pace (thought I was quick).
Australian Under 19 team 1983-84
What were your strengths as a player?
Commitment, team player and fielding. Played well square of the wicket and played spinners well.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
231 for Rosebank CC.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
7 for 59 V St Kilda CC at Junction Oval.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Richard McCarthy Nth Melbourne CC he was fast and skiddy.
Shaun Graf got me out for fun which was hard to take.
Paul Wilson Ringwood who never gave me anything in my half of the wicket.
The Watts brothers playing for Fitzroy - Gary, Rod and Leigh at the front
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Shane Warne for obvious reasons.
Leigh Baker had so much variation and guile.
John Emburey as he landed it every time where he wanted and had great fields to support.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Dean Jones because he could take anyone down and nominate it.
Jamie Siddons also could do whatever he liked and had no fear
Warren Whiteside who was one of the most natural players I saw.
I was very spoilt to have played the majority of my cricket with my brother Gary and Brendan Joyce.
Gary Watts batting for Fitzroy Doncaster
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Robert Bailey playing for Fitzroy against Prahran in 1985 at Brunswick St Oval. He made 180 plus in an era that individual scores weren’t that big.
Was there any batsman in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted their wicket?
Michael Sholly Melbourne.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Darren Berry.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Tony Dodemaide and Mark Ridgway.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
John Scholes. He was a very good reader of game and could get the best out of people.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Aaron Dyer off the field, Mark Ridgway on the field and Steve Cottrell both on and off the field.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Len Balcam walked me to wicket one day yelling to his teammates that I was the ugliest of the Watts brothers and having to remove a guy from the Brunswick St Oval when he pitched a tent on the oval to dry it out whilst we were playing.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
Trying to hook Shaun Graf (more than once) and getting caught at Short Leg.
Who was your childhood hero?
Greg Chappell.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Junction Oval.
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Essendon because it was always a tough game and a good time afterwards.
What did you enjoy most about playing cricket?
Playing a tough game of cricket and then enjoying a chat and beer afterwards.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Winning the unwinnable Grand Final against Melbourne CC in 1993-94.
The team
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
We beat Prahran on the last ball of the day with a freak catch at short leg.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Steve Cottrell, Shayne Watts and Merv Hughes.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Tiger Woods, Ash Barty and Chris Judd.
Chris Judd
What are your hobbies?
Golf and Family.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Hard work will always pay off.
What is your current occupation?
National Sales Manager at Kookaburra Sport.
Always an opportunity to promote Kookaburra
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
I am still on the committee at Fitzroy-Doncaster where I try and assist where I can.
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?
Reward performance not perceived talent.
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