Paul Goldsmith - understand your own game

Penrith Cricket Club | February 03, 2023

Paul Goldsmith is Penrith First Grade cap number 116 and he took 452 wickets at an average of 22.58 including 13 five wickets hauls. In all grades for Penrith he took 572 wickets at 22.43.

In 2018/19 Paul was awarded the Perce Hargraves Club Person of the Year Award and continues to make a significant contribution as President of Penrith Cricket Club.

Let’s find out more about Paul’s journey in the game

What year you were born?

1972

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

Not really, it’s too long ago and too many cricket nights out have blurred the memory. I do remember it was for Blacktown City but I have no idea how I went. I’d like to think I whacked a quick 50 but that’s highly unlikely.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

I played all of my junior cricket for Blacktown City, their home ground was literally around the corner from my house. I started playing when I was 10 years old and continued with them until I was 18. I didn’t make the move to Grade cricket until after I had completed my HSC. As Blacktown didn’t have a Grade or Shires team at the time, Grade cricket was never really on my radar until I played school representative cricket and met a bunch of guys who were nearly all associated with a Grade club. They convinced me to make the move to Penrith after school. Thus began my long association with Penrith who remain the only Grade team I have ever played with.

I also made the obligatory trip to England to play club cricket and was fortunate enough to play 3 seasons in the Birmingham League with Knowle & Dorridge. They were great times and to this day I stay in contact with a number of friends I made in those 3 seasons.

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

As I noted above I didn’t make the move to Grade cricket until I was 18 and I debuted in 4th Grade. I do remember that game and how I went, it was against Waverley (now Easts) at Trumper Park and I took 6/39. Next game was up to 3rd Grade.

Goldie stretching

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

I can, it was my second year in Grade so I was 19 years old and it was against Gordon at Howell Oval. I don’t remember exactly how I went, I certainly didn’t set the world on fire but I did pick up a couple of wickets. I still clearly remember my first wicket, it was ‘Radar’ O’Reilly caught behind down the leg side by Michael Wholohan; he can consider himself very unlucky. I remember it because the over before I bowled him on a no-ball ! 

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

I’d love to say allrounder but those who played with and against me would have a strong view about that. I was most definitely only a bowler and solid number 10 at best, I still dine out on a couple of 30s I scored in First Grade. I’d consider myself a medium-fast swing bowler who got excited about away games to move away from Howell Oval.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

In a second grade game against University of NSW I scored 59*. It was at Village Green and it was very much a flat track. I might take the opportunity to also share my 122 in a Sunday league game in England. It also happened to be my very last game of cricket in the UK so I was a little dusty at the start of play.

What were your best bowling figures in first grade cricket?

In 1992/93 I took 7/45 against Western Suburbs at Pratten Park.

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

This is an exceptionally tough question as I was fortunate, or maybe unfortunate actually, to have played in the 90s before T20 was a thing, and so the state players played a significant amount of grade cricket. My top 3, excluding players who played Test cricket, would be:

Scott Thompson – in addition to being very quick he was such a competitor. He never had an off day and never let you settle. Not that I was around long enough to settle.

Warwick Adlam – big, strong and fast; a good combination. Wick was such a competitor and used his height to good advantage.

Grant Lambert – had such a big engine and could bowl all day. His last over was as fast as his first and was a big reason he took so many wickets.

Grant Lambert

Who has been the best three spinners you have played against? 

Again, I’ve ignored those players who played Test cricket.

David Freedman – Can you still call a left arm leggie a ‘Chinaman’ ? Well he had great control and a wrong’un that I couldn’t pick. I should’ve stayed in my crease.

Anthony Clark – he was a tough cricketer with such high standards. He was patient with subtle variations. Another who was great to have a beer with after the game.

Anthony Kershler – another bowler who always challenged you. Never let you settle into a rhythm and had a great arm ball.

Anthony Kershler

Who has been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against? And if you could add a few words as to why

Greg Mail – knew his game so well and was so patient and mentally strong. Had such a great game that he made bowlers bowl to his strengths.

Matthew Phelps – Phelpsy was able to dominate attacks because he played all the shots. Was particularly good at hooking and pulling so it was always a great contest.

Rod Davison – he had such an appetite for runs and loved being a part of the niggle. He was such a big wicket because he rarely failed.

Matthew Phelps

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

This is a tough one because I’ve been on the wrong end of many hundreds, but it’s a team mate. Trevor Bayliss scored a double ton against Petersham at Howell Oval in which he dominated from the first ball. To make matters worse for Petersham, Rod Bower hit a hundred at the other end. It was a magnificent day to watch.

Was there any batsman in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted their wicket?

Richard Chee Quee was always a big wicket. His numbers at State and Grade level provide an insight into his ability but it was more so because he was always looking to dominate. He enjoyed a chat as a batsman also which added to the challenge.

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

I’ll go with Mark Atkinson, had such great hands and there was probably no one better up to the stumps.

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

Grant Lambert would be one. As a genuine allrounder he was always in the game and he bowled so many overs, he was wonderful for his team. He was a tough cricketer but rarely said much and would always have a beer after the game.

The other would be Graeme Rummans. He dominated grade cricket and was so tough to get out cheaply. Like Grant he didn’t say much on the field but he put such value on his wicket that he was the big wicket when playing against St George.

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

Easy one, Trevor Bayliss. It’s fairly obvious based on what he has achieved as a coach but he has such a great cricket mind and was always a step ahead of the batsman. He was big on getting players to think about their own game and made everyone a better player.

Trevor Bayliss

Who has been your funniest team mate?

Kevin Geyer, mad as they come and does enjoy getting a little loose occasionally.

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

We were playing a game against Sydney University at Howell Oval and before he went out to bat our keeper Luke Morrissey was giving us a rundown about how he was going to take on (he may have said ‘take down’) Stuart MacGill. Now obviously Stuart could bowl a little bit so we weren’t expecting fireworks but the very first ball Luke faced he rocked back to cut it through cover only for his cap to fall off and land on the top of his stumps. I was in 3 wickets later and the keeper and first slip were still laughing when I arrived at the crease.

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

I don’t recall any embarrassing ones, I got out so many times they all blur together.

Who was your childhood hero?

D.K Lillee – no more needs to be said.

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

Roger Federer – the first goat.

Tiger Woods – would love to know how he deals with pressure.

Mike Tyson – for pure entertainment value.

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Richie Benaud, had such a love and respect for the game that was so evident in his commentary.

What was your favourite ground to play at?

Hurstville Oval, it is such a picturesque ground and the wicket was always true and offered good pace and carry. Was also the scene of my second highest first grade score.

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

I always enjoyed playing Balmain (now Sydney). They played the game hard but in the right spirit and so over the years I developed some good friendships with them. After a tough days cricket they were always up for a beer and chat which seems to be missing from the game today. A Neil Maxwell snap was also always entertaining.

What did you enjoy most about playing cricket?

I love the competitiveness of playing a game that goes for so long and challenges you both physically and mentally. Perhaps more than the competition I valued the friendships that develop when you spend so much time with your teammates.

Paul Goldsmith - Penrith Club President in 2018/19 when their First Grade team won the premiership for the first time in 36 years

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

It is being a part of Penrith’s one-day title in 1999. It had been 16 years since our first-grade team had won a title in any format.

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

There is one, and it stands out because it was so entertaining, it came down to the last ball of a one-day game. We were chasing against Balmain and Gavin Robertson was bowling the last over. I think we needed 9 or 10 to win and were 9 down. My brother Michael and Paul Thomas were at the crease. It’s fair to say Thommo didn’t trouble too many bowlers so we weren’t confident. But they managed to edge a few and take a leg bye and leading into the last ball we needed 6 to win and 5 to tie. Naturally that means a boundary would leave us 2 runs short. Gav tossed the last one up and my brother cleared the boundary at long on by about 15 meters. Naturally we were ecstatic but Balmain not so much.

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

Kevin Geyer - loud, funny and mad.

Dale Turner – still super competitive so would be in charge of Euchre

David Taylor – captain sensible, he’d make sure the BBQ actually went on

What are your hobbies?

I really enjoy running although find the term ‘fun run’ an oxymoron. I also enjoy playing golf and still stay involved with my club Penrith.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

“You should marry that girl Goldie” – I listened and have a wonderful wife of 16 years. But in terms of cricket it was to understand your own game and what works for you.

What is your current occupation?

Product Lead in the insurance industry.

Let’s give your employer a plug, who do you work for?

IAG, better known as NRMA Insurance in NSW.

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

I am, and now the President of the Penrith Club. It’s challenging at times and I’d rather be a player but I really enjoy seeing young players develop and succeed.

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?

It’s always easier when you’re not accountable but I would say:

1.     Allow the kids in the pathways programs to have an off-season that is long enough so that they can play winter sports and have a complete break from cricket. I’ve seen a number of young men leave the game because they’ve had enough cricket by the time they were 18.

Remove the scoring of grounds. We bemoan the fact players in Australia struggle when wickets seam or turn too much yet we incentivise wickets to be batsman friendly by the way we rate them. We should encourage and welcome wickets that are green or deteriorate quickly so that batsman are able to develop their games on a variety of wickets.