Brett Newman - Penrith Cricket Club first grade player number 145
Penrith Cricket Club | November 17, 2024
Brett Newman is the proud owner of Penrith Cricket Club first grade cap number 145.
At the time of publication Brett has scored over 6,200 runs across all grades for the club and taken more than 380 wickets.
In 1998-99 and 2000-01 Brett was awarded the Penrith Cricket Club men’s player of the year and he features in the clubs first grade highest 4th, 5th and 7th record wicket partnership in Penrith history.
Brett played NSW 2ndXI cricket and in season 2024-25 Brett continues to give back to the club and helps nurture the younger players in the club as 5th grade captain.
Brett Newman has made a significant contribution to Penrith Cricket Club for many years. Let’s look back at his journey in the game.
What year were you born?
I was born in North Sydney, NSW, 1978
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
I don’t remember my first game, but I was 7 years old playing U/9’s for my local club the Colyton St Clair Colts, Penrith district.
From a young age I always played cricket with my brother and his mates in the backyard who were 10 years older than me, they never went easy on me and I loved it.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I started playing cricket at 7 years of age for the Colyton Colts. I played junior cricket until I was 15 years old then I started playing U/16’s Green shield and Grade cricket for Penrith.
I played NSW 2nd XI and I had a couple of seasons in England playing for Olton & West Warwickshire cricket club in Birmingham and a season with Bradshaw cricket club in Bolton.
I’m currently playing and captaining the 5th grade side for Penrith CC to help develop the juniors and play alongside my son.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
I debuted in 4th grade for Penrith as a 15 year old.
What was the highest grade you played, and can you remember how you performed in your first game in that grade?
I vaguely remember my 1st grade debut, it was against Northern Districts at Howell Oval.
I debuted in 1st grade as an opening bowler. My first wicket was Brad Haddin, caught on the boundary. I can’t remember how I went with the bat.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I was a medium pace bowler who turned myself into a top order batsman.
What were your strengths as a player?
I scored runs when my team really needed them. Never gave up and believed we could always win no matter the situation of the game.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
149 not out against St George in 1st Grade for Penrith at Howell oval.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
6 for 53, for Penrith CC at Howell Oval
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Brett Lee, Wayne Holdsworth and Mark Cameron. All 3 bowled fast and scary spells in games that I played.
Brett Lee
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Stuart MacGill, Greg Matthews and Danny Waugh. I remember padding up to a wrong-un from MacGill first ball one game, not picking it and being given out for a golden duck, and he let me know all about it. Mathews was always chatting and commenting with every ball and Danny was an underrated left arm orthodox spinner who always seemed to get me trapped LBW.
Stuart MacGill
Who were the best 3 batters you’ve played against? And if you could add a few words as to why
Greg Mail - never played a bad shot, very disciplined and scored all around the ground. Matthew Phelps - strong driver of the ball and if you missed your length would pull you to the boundary.
Nathan Pillon - wicket keeper/batsman who scored 200 against us. Hit balls to every part of the ground with ease.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
It would have to be from my team mate and still great mate Kevin Geyer. He scored 160 odd from memory in a One Day game at Howell Oval. He went into bat with around 20 overs left in our innings. There was a young bowler on debut from the opposition who bowled a dot ball first ball of his first over then got hit for 30 off the next 5 balls.
Was there any bowler or batter in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Shaun Bradstreet. Whenever I played Manly he seemed to always get me out early.
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?
Yes, when I was 16 years old playing Green Shield. I was selected to play in the Poidevin Gray (U/21’s) quarter final against Campbelltown. Brett Lee opened the bowling against us. He bowled a bouncer at me first ball, it narrowly missed my helmet.
I thought to myself, I may be a little out of my league here.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Brad Haddin against but I loved playing with Luke Morrissey.
Who are the two players you admire most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Grant Lambert and Shaun Bradstreet. Both excellent allrounders, equally as good with the bat and ball.
From my own team, Kevin Geyer and Paul Goldsmith. I modelled my batting from watching Kev play. He was a phenomenal batsman, awesome fielder and always wanted the ball to come his way. Paul Goldsmith was an outstanding opening bowler, he made some very good batsman look very ordinary on occasions. Goldy was unlucky not to play state cricket. Both were my captains at different stages and I learnt so much from both of them. Mainly on a Saturday night celebrating a win.
Paul Goldsmith
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
I played under some great captains through all the grades. Michael Wholohan and Greg Douglas were my 2nd grade captains. I loved playing under there guidance as a young cricketer, they both played the game hard on the field and loved celebrating a win afterwards. Trevor Bayliss was my 1st grade captain when I debuted. He taught me a lesson that my boots should be cleaned before every game by painting my entire shoe white, covering the branding on only one shoe. I played my debut with one dirty shoe and one painted completely white.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Kieren McDonald comes first to mind. Over many years there has been some great banter and laughs with many of my mates, Luke Morrissey would always be entertaining
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Playing at Mark Taylor oval against Northern Districts in 2nd grade. We bowled the first week on a flat wicket and 30+ degrees. ND’s scored 350 plus. We turned up the following Saturday to find a wet, green, uncut wicket due to there mower breaking down midweek and a full week of rain. Our captain Michael Wholohan was batting at the time with most deliveries rearing off a length and popping up at your face. After a ball hitting him on the glove in front of his face he turned to the square leg umpire Laurie Borg, throws his bat in his direction and says “You can bat on this Laurie”
Who was your childhood hero?
My Dad and brother I have always looked up to both them.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Andrew Flintoff, Roger Federer and Steven Gerrard
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Hurstville Oval
What particular team did you especially look forward to playing against?
St George, I scored most of my centuries against St George and loved playing at Hurstville Oval.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
I was fortunate enough to win a first grade limited overs competition, a 2nd grade premiership and a narrow loss to Sydney University in a first grade grand final, and this season being able to play alongside my son.
The best part of playing cricket is the mates that you make for life.
First Grade Limited Overs Win
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Early in my first grade career we were playing against Eastern Suburbs at Waverley oval in 2001/02. We bowled first and bowled Eastern Suburbs all out for 250. We had around 40 minutes to bat to see out the first day.
Ex Australian fast bowler Anthony Stuart was steaming in and we found ourselves 5 for 10 after 10 minutes or so. I was batting number 7 and my childhood team mate Kieren McDonald was new to first grade also batting number 6.
We survived the night and continued to put on a great partnership the following week.
We both achieved our first centuries together in 1st grade and passed there score 5 down.
We put on 242 runs for the 7th wicket partnership and both remained not out.
It’s still a club record for Penrith.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
I’m still great mates with a lot of them still today from my early years of cricket.
One of my best mates who I met through Penrith grade but unfortunately didn’t get to play grade with is Chris Joseph (Joey), couldn’t ask for a more loyal mate and my great mate from my recent years of cricket Brock Balgowan.
What are your hobbies?
Golf and Fishing with my sons
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
You can’t get out from the non strikers end.
From John Benaud when I was a young teenager.
What is your occupation and who do you work for?
Firefighter for the NSW Fire Brigade
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Yes, playing 5th grade with my son at Penrith and coaching this years Green Shield side and also my 10 year olds representative team for Penrith.
This season will be my 20th season for Penrith, 10 of those were in 1st grade before retiring due to work and family commitments.
I came back to play for Penrith in 2018 and captained 4th and 3rd grade where I got to play with some great young players who have since became great mates, many of these players have since debuted in 1st grade.
Jack and Brett Newman
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities be to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
It seems that these days it’s all about the youth and pathways setup to make a career in cricket.
If you haven’t “made it” by the age of 25 the current system says that you won’t.
The era in which I played allowed the best 1st grade players (no matter your age) to be picked in the state 2nd XI competition.
If you were performing regularly at 1st grade level you had the opportunity to play representative cricket. Not just limited to the young players that have gone through the pathway system and show some promise.
The second priority would be that state or Australian players play some club cricket. In my era we always seemed to be playing against representative players every second game. I believe the standard was a lot higher by having the best players available to play every week for there prospective clubs.
