Greg Sheens - at least look like a cricketer

Penrith Cricket Club | August 28, 2023

Greg Sheens is Penrith first grade player number 88 after making his first grade debut against North Sydney.

A local junior Greg came through the grades at Penrith and has a wonderful historical connection to the club.

In 1983/84 Greg was awarded the Penrith Rookie of the Year award. In 1987/88 he was the clubs Poidevin Gray Player of the Year and in 1989/90 he won Penrith most outstanding all-rounder.

Greg took 226 wickets for Penrith across all grades.

Let’s find out more about Greg’s journey in the game.

What year you were born?

1966

Can you remember your first game of cricket?

As a nine year old, I played on the Glenbrook Village Oval against a red hot Springwood team. I got a duck and a couple of wickets

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

Started my junior cricket with Emu Plains then Penrith RSL. Joined Penrith Grade club as a 15 year old Green Shield player and was selected in the fourth grade team the following year (1983/84). Left grade cricket in my late twenties and played local first grade with St Clair, Penrith RSL and Emu Plains. Now reside in West Wyalong and just gave up playing over 35’s.

In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?

I was 16 when I played my first year in fourth grade at Penrith 1982/83.

At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?

Penrith first grade player number 88. First grade against North Sydney at Howell Oval. I got 4 wickets including Trevor Chappell, my first 1st grade wicket. Ken Hall was the captain of Penrith and Steven Small, and Trevor Bayliss were in this side.

If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?

I was an allrounder who usually batted in the top 6 and would bowl medium pace swing and then John Benaud worked with me to bowl some off spinners in first grade. We were lacking a quality spinner and I didn’t improve the situation. My successes came more as a medium pacer and as a middle order batsmen.

What were your strengths as a player?

Aggressive bowler who lacked pace and an attacking batsman who tended to be tad overzealous.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

I managed to get 120 against Scott Thompson in a 2nd grade game at Bankstown Oval for Penrith. This was my best innings as we chased down 360 against a good Bankstown team. I managed to get a couple of hundreds in second grade and a few in the local first grade competition. I was always too impetuous and didn’t show enough respect to the bowlers.

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

I got a few 7 wicket hauls for Penrith second grade, 7/40 was my best effort.

Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?

The quickest would have to be Andrew Jones after I made the mistake of egging him on. I lost my off stump not too long afterwards. He gave me a well-deserved send off all the way off the field. I remember passing our captain Trevor Baylis on his way to the crease and my way off. He wasn’t very happy with my performance.

Paul Stepto. He bowled some of the quickest spells in a couple of different games against Saints. I opened the batting against a young Green Shield Stepto at a green top Hurstville Oval and it was quite frightening. I never wore a helmet and it was probably the first time I considered the idea.

Chris Killen was rapid when he had his tail up.

Paul Stepto

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

I played with a few great spinners and regularly faced them in the nets – Gary Donlan, Ken Hall, Tom Shiner, Paul Thomas and Graeme Beard. Tom Shiner had the best wrong un.

Probably the best I played against would be David Freedman, he also had a great wrong un.

David Freedman

Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?

Phil Marks - we always played him into form and he seemed to love scoring hundreds against us.

Wayne Seabrook – seemed to do it easy whenever we played against him. He had plenty of time and smacked the ball hard

Steve Waugh – just a class above the others

 

Phil Marks

Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Steve Waugh got a superb 100 against us after losing his spot in the Australian team. It was scary if you were fielding in the covers on this day. I remember fielding a couple off my own bowling after the ball ricocheted off the boundary fence back to me.

Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?

Neil Maxwell, was deceptive and cleaned me up a couple of times. We had played against each other through juniors as well

Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to? 

Playing at Howell Oval on a long weekend against a star studded Western Suburbs team. A great article was recently written about this game on stump to stump. I remember playing against internationals and state players in many opposing teams. This was always a buzz for me. Playing against Wayne Daniel, Winston Davies, Angus Fraser and the likes of the Waugh's always put my game in perspective.

Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Mark Atkinson (Balmain) the best I played against and Laurie Renshaw (Penrith third grade) was the best I played with. He was freakishly quick and skilled.

Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?

The most determined cricketer would have to be Michael Wholohan and the most skilled and competitive would have to be Ken Hall. Madly competitive with the skill to back it up. In local first grade, Martin Romer was very similar to Ken Hall.

Ken Hall

Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?

Trevor Bayliss was a quiet, unassuming guy with a great knowledge of field settings and anticipated players extremely well. He captained our successful PG team in 1982/83. His continued success as a captain and international coach is testament to his knowledge of the game. A terrific guy who modelled his captaincy and coaching on Bob Simpson’s values.

Trevor Bayliss

Who has been your funniest team mate?

Without a doubt Michael Wholohan. He had the ability to bring a laugh to many hot and humid days at Howell Oval.

Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?

I tended to say too much when I was bowling. I was an aggressive medium pacer without the speed to back up the aggression. I managed to get a couple of big scalps including Mark Waugh. I regret questioning his ability to play state cricket. I was young and stupid. Although I tell anyone who wants to listen about the times I got M Waugh out. I probably failed to say that he seemed quite bored with my style of bowling.

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

I can’t remember too many embarrassing dismissals however I remember dropping the easiest catch off the bowling of Ken Hall. You couldn’t have underarmed an easier catch and I put it down. Needless to say, Emu was a little upset. It was one of the last overs of the day after we declared and the batsman was Rhys Banwell.

I think Emu was heard to say “I ask for first graders and they give me *$#! School kids. Fair call in hindsight, however, I had to stand beside him in the slips next over. A great competitor but quite volatile.

Who was your childhood hero?

Doug Walters and Allan Border. The ability to score runs when your back is to the wall, always inspired me.

Doug Walters

Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?

Tiger Woods, Dennis Lillee and Shane Warne

Tiger Woods

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Kerry O’Keefe

What was your favourite ground to play at?

Howell Oval - (named after my great grandfather WP Howell)

W.P Howell

Was there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?

I loved the competition against Bankstown. My old school teacher Geoff Spotswood played with them and there was always great banter between both sides. Lots of feeling in those days when Penrith recruited Graham Pitty, Steve Small and Rod Bower. I had the privilege of playing with these guys and even after they moved on, there was always an added spark to these games. The local derby against the new team, Hawkesbury (with lots of ex Panthers) was also fiery. Lots of sledging and quality games.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Winning the PG’s in my first year with Trevor Bayliss at the helm. We beat Randwick at Old Kings in an exciting game. I got four wickets and snicked a couple of runs. We just fell over the line 9 wickets down. David Knox was the star for Randwick and they had several top grade players. We had quite a mix of players, mostly third and fourth grade players. The celebrations at the Wholohan residence afterwards was a great memory (sort of).

Back Row – R. Clarence (Manager), M. Gouldstone, B.Coad, S. Dickson, G. Sheens, G. Dixon, T. Middlebrook

Front Row – C. Tuckerman, M. Wholohan, P. Ryman, T. Bayliss (Captain), P. Thomas, S. Hogan, D. Morris

What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?

As a young first grader with Penrith, I played a couple of games with Graham Pitty, Rod Bower, Steve Small, Phil Blizzard, Ken Hall, Gary Donlan and Trevor Bayliss. I was a little star struck.

Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?

Michael Wholohan, Darren Morris and Jason Penrose still provide entertainment at a BBQ. Actually, they would provide entertainment anywhere. We are all a little greyer however not wiser!

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

If you can’t play like a cricketer at least look like one.

Avoid wiping Dencorub onto your shower towel. And avoid showering next to certain players.

What is your occupation?

High School Principal – West Wyalong

Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?

After I finished playing I coached junior representative teams in the Penrith area including a Green Shield side that contained Jordan Silk, Pat Cummins and Ryan Gibson. I moved to West Wyalong and played over 35’s and have recently retired. I now enjoy the odd game of golf.

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?

Invest more time in promoting the game at grass roots level including our local schools. Touring teams to the country were also a hit in my younger years of cricket. I remember tours with players like John Saint, Jason Penrose and Michael Wholohan to play Western Districts in Mudgee and Gulgong. A great way for our club to see some of the quality country players. We never see anything like Toohey’s cup matches any more. Country cricket has been responsible for the early development of many stars and this needs to be fostered.

Grade cricket seems to lack depth and we rarely see our star players on a Saturday at our local grounds. It would be nice if this could happen on the odd occasion so our kids can get closer to these players.