Barry Coad - keep the ball on the ground
Penrith Cricket Club | February 02, 2023
Barry Coad made his first grade debut for Penrith in 1983 and is Penrith first grade player number 71.
At the completion of the 1982/83 Barry was awarded the John R Turk Trophy for the Rookie of the Year at Penrith Cricket Club and went on the form a formidable opening batting partnership with Brian Wood – both Barry and Brian were players from NSW Country.
In 1985/86 Barry moved across to Hawkesbury Cricket Club for their inaugural season in Sydney Grade Cricket before moving back to Penrith.
Let’s find out more about Barry’s journey in the game
Barry batting against an Indian touring team in the 1980s. Wicket Keeper is former India test keep Syed Kirmani.
What year you were born?
1963
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
From memory I was 9 years old in Dubbo
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I started in Dubbo playing for Dubbo CYMS (now Cougars) in the 1970’s and moved to Penrith Cricket Club in the early 1980’s. I joined Hawkesbury Cricket Club in their inaugural year and then back to Penrith CC. Played local cricket for Glenbrook Blaxland for fun starting at age 51. Macquarie Valley Vets last 2-3 years in over 50’s state carnivals.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
18 years old, debut with Penrith in third grade
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
Age 20 as opening bat. Remember very well as it wasn’t a great day. We had to bat the final 10 minutes of the first day at Hurstville Oval against St George. LBW Brute Bernard for a duck.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Opening batsman and a very part time left hand wrist spinner.
What were your strengths as a player?
Solid opening bat with sound technique (at the time). Honest and safe gully fieldsman
Barry batting for Penrith - who's the slip fieldsman?
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
138 in a one day first grade game at North Sydney Oval for Penrith Cricket Club.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
2 for 10 for Penrith and Trevor Bayliss took me off straight away.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Geoff Lawson—quick with great bouncer and leg cutter.
Wayne Daniel - (just bloody quick)
Mike Whitney – great competitor who always let you know about how you were going.
Wayne Daniel
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Murray Bennett - wily customer with great arm ball
David Hourn – freak
Bob Holland.
David Hourn
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Steve Smith – timing and best cut shot ever
Rod Bower – played with and against Rod, hardest striker of the ball I have seen
Frank Smith from Nyngan West NSW--- should have played higher level
Steve Smith
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Jason Arnberger century at Old Kings on wet wicket against a top class attack
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always you to cause you a few problems?
Murray Bennett got me with his arm ball after a good start
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 and you really had to knuckle down to survive?
Yes playing against Western Suburbs at Howell oval against Dave Gilbert, Greg Mathews etc. hardest first hour ever and at a high level
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Steve ‘stumpa’ Rixon
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Ken Hall and Trevor Bayliss
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Ken Hall – always got the best out of his players. Played ‘tough’ cricket with the highest respect for the game
Ken Hall
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Kenny Gentles - best fantom race call ever
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Too many but the game I played with Hawkesbury against Penrith at Owen Earle Oval was gold. Listening to the banter between former team mates playing for neighbouring clubs was very funny.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
Being run out in a Poidevin Gray under 21 game at Jubilee Oval for Penrith by Brian Wood (wood duck) for 10.
The score at the time was 1- 20. I was the only dismissal in the 50 over game with Trevor Bayliss getting 200 not out and Woody 150 not out – we were 1-360 approx after 50 overs.
Who was your childhood hero?
David Gower
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Ian Botham, Tiger Woods and Brian Lara
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
The great Richie Benaud
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Coogee Oval – by the sea and other sights
Was there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Petersham (now Randwick Petersham) – always played tough and hated us from the start
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Playing in a semi-final at Howell Oval for Penrith Metro Cup against North Sydney. I was 50 years of age batting with my son Lachlan who was 17.
The game was tight and the North Sydney captain was sledging Lachlan, including “wow did your dad teach you that shot” when beaten outside off stump.
I replied with” yes that’s why he missed the ball but I am having fun with my son what are you doing with yours’s “(knowing his son was a little off the rails). The umpire had the last say on the matter and just said “fair call – let’s move on”.
Barry with son Lachlan
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Winning the Poidevin Gray in 1983 at Old kings against Randwick – first Penrith team to win this competition.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Ken Hall, Rod Bower and Ken Gentles
What are your hobbies?
Playing golf, having a punt on the races and playing over 50 cricket with old mates from Dubbo.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
“Keep the ball on the ground son until you are set”
What is your occupation?
I’m property valuer contracting to John Virtue valuers
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Yes I am treasurer of Macquarie Valley Vets cricket club and still trying to play a few times a year with the over 50’s, almost over 60’s.
If you were running Cricket NSW what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Review the ‘pathways’ process in NSW cricket and pick players for representative honours on form in grade cricket (too many contracted and chosen few getting a gig with no performance criteria)
Remove agendas and politics from Sydney Grade cricket – very tough in the modern era. Selection of mates or personalities over good honest players is my biggest gripe in the current grade scene. The successful grade clubs have great culture and the selectors are without bias.
