Stephen Kennaugh - all achievements come from hard work

Penrith Cricket Club | February 26, 2023

Stephen Kennaugh is the proud owner of Penrith first grade cap number 100 and the first player in Penrith history to score 5,000 runs and take 300 wickets.

In 1989/90 Stephen was joint winner along with Ray Hudswell and Greg Sheens of Penrith Club Player of the Year. In 1988/89 he was Penrith Poidevin Gray player of the year and in 1993/94 Stephen was awarded Penrith’s most outstanding all-rounder

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

What year you were born?

1969

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

I used to go to my older brothers’ games (Parramatta Marist Brothers Cricket Club) dressed in my whites hoping for a game if they were short but Br Flavian (later Brother Francis) always said I was too young and wouldn’t allow it. I was finally allowed to play a game near the end of the season. I don’t think I scored many or got any wickets, but I was stoked I got on the field and played a game. I was 8.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

 I started playing cricket for Parramatta Marist Brothers Cricket Club who later joined with Winston Hills Cricket Club. I didn’t know much about the representative scene when I was a junior so never trialled for Green Shield or CCC Representation throughout my schooling.

I played Durham Shield for Parramatta and made the NSW U/21 Junior Team when I was U/19, and then the Australian Merit Team.

I went to Penrith to trial as Col Morris, my Durham Shield Coach had a contact with Brian Wood at Penrith Grade Club. I started in Third Grade and worked my way up to First Grade by the end of the first season 88/89.

I played with Parramatta and Campbelltown in the over 40’s Competition and Parramatta in the Over 50’s Competition.

I played 1 game of Fifth Grade in 2018/19 with Campbelltown Grade Club with my son Timothy.

I played for Smethwick in the Birmingham League in 1992 and toured Zimbabwe, England and Wales with the AOC that year. Also toured New Zealand with the AOC in 1991.

What other sports do you play?

Golf, Swimming, Surfing and Running.

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

Third Grade 1988/89 for Penrith.

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

1988/89 for Penrith v North Sydney. I am #100. I had heard a lot about Trevor Chappell and Graham Spring so I was honoured to be playing against players of that calibre.

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

All-rounder. At stages I opened the bowling and the batting in First Grade depending on the needs of the team.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

150 not out v Western Suburbs at Pratten Park. I was a bit dirty because Trevor Bayliss declared with an hour to go in the day and we were 1 for 342 with Rod Bower still sitting in the sheds (pretty rare that), but it was best for the team and we had then 1 down at the end of the day if I recall correctly.

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

For which club and where 7 for 35 v Hawkesbury for Penrith at Howell Oval.

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

Wayne Holdsworth (because of the late swing he would get as well as his pace), Warwick Adlam (deceptively quick and was always mixing it up), Phil Alley (good pace and I found him hard to pick up as he had such a high release point – often over most sight screens in Sydney at the time).

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

David Hourn – Waverley (I was unlucky enough to be a fresh-faced grade cricketer in Third Grade when David opened the bowling that year. I had no idea of his history or his wrong-un (or even what a wrong-un was). Stumped twice by a spinner as an opener is the evidence. Played him later in First Grade. If he had better knees who knows what could have been.

Stuart McGill – Always trying to get a wicket and had great knowledge of his game and control in his execution. Could really give the ball a rip.

Ken Hall – His control and competitiveness was unmatched by any spinner I played against.

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

Graham Hughes – made a comeback for Petersham later in his career and was still the best batsman in the team. Had so much time and knew his game so well.

Phil Marks – Hit the ball so well and was always looking for ways to score.

Graham Rummans – had so much time and his execution was effortless. Was a prolific scorer in grade cricket.

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

Trevor Bayliss v Waverley at Waverley Oval. If you played them before Christmas you always looked forward to a ground that was still beaten up by the Rugby Season just passed. It always seemed to rain there and nowhere else in Sydney as well. On a juiced-up wicket Trevor dispatched them to all parts including a pull shot for six over the stand. Great to watch.

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

Phil Emery. He was especially effective up to the stumps to fast-medium bowlers.

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

Ken Hall, Steve Small and Randell Green were three of the most competitive people I played against. They were always in your face and never let up. Tim Fraser was a fast bowler who I played with at Penrith who always put in. You would take him to war with you.

Who would you have liked to play with in their prime?

John Benaud, Les Johns, Keith Miller and Garfield Sobers. I played cricket with John and Les as part of AOC cricket. They were both class players then when they were in their 50’s. Keith Miller and Garfield Sobers were the best all-rounders to have played the game in my opinion. Both naturally talented and played the game in the right spirit.

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

I always remember the banter that happened both ways as part of a competitive game. As long as it stayed on the field I was fine with it. Fast bowlers often came up with some interesting one liners or actions.

What was the funniest call someone has made?

When playing a game v UNSW a young Michael Slater was opening the batting. We almost had him caught at fine leg from a short ball late in the first afternoon and at the team talk during the week one of the team (I think it was Tim Fraser- but it was many years ago now) said I think he has a weakness with the short ball. As Captain I thought it was worth a shot so gave him permission to have a go at it. I think he would have done it anyway, but nevertheless I gave him permission to do it. The first short ball was flat batted into the fence and he went onto get plenty that day. I think we may have assisted in his State selection to be honest.

Who was your childhood hero?

Keith Miller (how good would he have been in today’s game)

Who’s the sports person you’d most like to meet?

Michael Jordon,

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Richie Benaud (his insight was the best)

What was your favourite ground to play at?

North Sydney Oval due to the pace and trueness of the wicket.

Who were the biggest influences on your cricket?

My father (who taught me how to catch. He always emphasised how fielding can make the difference)

Syd Cooke (who was a prominent coach in the Parramatta District when I was growing up. He gave me his time, at no cost, in the nets at John Curtin Reserve Winston Hills)

John Benaud, Ray Hudswell, Ron Halse and Trevor Wholohan (who gave me opportunities and support as a player at Penrith).

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

Bankstown and St George were both teams I always looked forward to playing against as they had all the stars at the time and I knew it was going to be a battle. Bankstown Oval and Hurstville Oval were always nice grounds to play cricket as well.

What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?

I love the comradery, the competitiveness/battle, the tactics, hard work you need to put in, the mind games, and the stories (they seem to get better with age??). It’s a metaphor for life.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Playing a game with my youngest son Timothy. I hadn’t picked up a bat or ball for at least a season so I was a bit nervous. I was lucky enough to take 5 wickets and top score. I was sore for about two weeks after, but it was worth it.

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

Chasing down over 400 at Howell Oval v Fairfield Liverpool in First Grade when we got smashed by a thunder storm in the afternoon losing a number of overs. It was the emergence of Paul Maraziotis and Geoff Sullivan who both scored 50 to steer the team home with wickets in hand.

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

I don’t see them now but Tim Fraser, Steve Nikitaras, Paul Maraziotis and Tim Sullivan. The banter would be hilarious.

What was the most interesting experience you had as a player?

I was playing a PG’s game v Manly at Manly Oval and we were chasing 202. Tim Blank was the captain and they had Shawn Bradstreet and David Gainsford in the team. We had John Saint and Jason Arnberger in our team. We were cruising at a couple down when we lost 7 for 0 and lost the game. I think we managed to get on Wide World of Sports as a result. Would love to see the footage again.

Who is your favourite sports movie or documentary?

The Last Dance

What’s the one thing about you most people don’t know about?

I enjoyed training even more than playing.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

My father always said work hard. I have taken that on board. I see many talented people achieve nowhere near their potential due to a lack of work ethic.

What is your current occupation?

Principal at St Andrews College.

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

Catholic Education Office Parramatta. A very forward-thinking educational body who think outside the square in terms of education. It is led by Greg Whitby who allows leaders in schools to make the call and do what is best for their communities to enable the best learning for to students.

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

I was on the Committee at Penrith Cricket Club for a number of years as well as coaching my son’s cricket team once I stopped playing Grade Cricket. I gained my Level 3 coaching qualification while coaching the St Gregory’s College Campbelltown First Grade Team but have not been active for a few years now due to my work and PhD studies.

If you were running Cricket NSW what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in NSW remained strong and successful on and off the field?

Ensure pathways to the top levels are not pre-determined and that Representative Teams are not the only method of identification.