Peter Drinnen - do it well

Valley District Cricket Club | February 03, 2023

Peter Drinnen is the Director of Coaching at Valley District Cricket Club

In a decorated playing career Peter played 5 first class games and 3 one day games for Queensland and is the proud owner of Valley first grade cap number 588 after making his debut for the club in 1989/90.

Peter had previously played first grade cricket in Brisbane Grade Cricket for South Brisbane.

From Bundaberg in Queensland Peter played Under 16s and 19s for Queensland and represented Queensland Country at the National Country Championships before moving to Brisbane.

Peter was also part of the inaugural intake to the Australian Cricket Academy in Adelaide in 1988.

As a cricket coach, Peter has excelled and continues to make a tremendous contribution to the game. He’s a highly regarded Level 3 cricket coach, operates his own coaching business and coach Scotland to the 2007 World Cup and The Netherlands to the 2001 World Cup

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

What year you were born?

1967

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

To be honest, not really, but I seemed to take a liking to it very young and I remember my Dad playing the odd game and I used to go along with him. I really was into the game at a young age with all the books on World Series Cricket, I remember receiving my first spikes as a birthday present, my first bat, a crown, and then a magnificent set of stumps. I ended up creating my own ground on the farm, slashed the outfield, rolled a wicket and pitched stumps though always keen to win the toss as the wicket wasn’t all that flat. I played every afternoon after school with my neighbour, Noel Stitt whose parents had a farm a few miles down the road. Either at his place under the mango trees or at mine. We always kept score and some games would go for days. Light often played a part or maybe Mum had called for dinner first.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

Started in Bundaberg for Clubites, now known as Across the Waves. Moved to Brisbane on a Prudential Bank (I think) Scholarship, the club I joined was Souths with Rod “Rocket” Rice allowing me to come in and play the one day games. That was 1987, in1988 I was fortunate enough to be selected in the first intake of the AIS Cricket Academy in Adelaide. During our tour to Queensland in 1988, Brett ‘Hottie” Henschell came to the ground and met with all us Queenslanders suggesting when we return to Brisbane, we should head to Valleys. That is what happened, and I spent 6 great years there both coaching the underage teams and playing. I then spent a few years in the Ipswich competition playing and coaching for Redbank Plains. This is where my senior coaching started. Whilst all this was going on, I travelled back and forth to the UK playing 11 seasons over there, firstly for Ribbledale Wanderers in the Ribblesdale league 1990, then Milnrow in the Central Lancashire League 1992 before moving to Scotland to play for Forfarshire 1994-2002. Whilst in the UK I became a member of the MCC and was lucky enough to play quite a few games for them over the years.

After the Waves Division One Premiers 1985/86

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

Age 15, played First grade for Clubites in Bundaberg.

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

Age 19 when I played for Souths in Brisbane. Sorry, really can’t remember too many performances but I can remember coming into a fantastic side, so many quality players. One game I do recall though, was a one day game at Felburg Park, Souths V Wynnum. A side lead by Mark “Eddie” Gaskell and this was to be some game. Wynnum led by Eddie with 96 smashed 349 (scores may be slightly out but close) and Souths lead by Glen ‘Chips” Trimble had to chase them down. I remember Ian Seib, the coach of Souths writing down some targets on a XXXX carton and away we went. The Souths batting line up was amazing and I can’t remember exactly who the key contributors were, but we managed to chase it down in what was a remarkable chase for that era.

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

Always been a wicket keeper batsman. Went alright with the bat through the junior ranks but certainly should have done better as I transitioned into senior cricket. Loved the keeping, it was my passion, and I was a cricketer with limited ability, though I was happy to do the work to see what could be achieved.

What were your strengths as a player?

Pretty tough mentally I suppose, opposite now, and I did enjoy the competition.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

142 Clubites in Bundaberg.

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

I’ll should leave this one though I do remember a funny incident that happened at State training. My state captain, Greg Ritchie was batting and for some reason I was having a bowl, he hit one back that passed me much quicker than it went down so I thought I’ll have one more crack. So, I put a helmet on and steamed in, it came back slightly quicker again with a few words of advice from Greg. I stopped there and went and grabbed my gloves. Short lived bowling career though I did bowl in Scotland when I was playing there. When you have Pro beside your name everyone’s seems to think you can play, well I bluffed them for a week or so then all hell broke loose, even the sheep were wearing helmets in the adjoining fields.

You played 5 first class games for QLD, can you share with us how you found out you’d been selected to play for QLD, who did you play and what do you remember about your first class debut?

I was at the AIS in Adelaide and I got the call, it was pretty amazing as one of my ambitions was to represent the state at all levels. I was with Darren ‘Chuck’ Berry at the time and I will never forget him saying, “how do I get my first game Drinno”, and now looking back, how fantastic was his career.

I flew to Brisbane and stayed with John ‘Moose’ Maguire and he took me under his wing, helping me through that first game. As with most on their first games, very nervous and a little ill actually, but we got through it. This game was made slightly easier given I had been training and playing with the SA guys for the past 6 months whilst at the Academy. There was certainly plenty of banter in the middle. We were in a spot of bother when I walked to the crease at 6 for 132, you may need to check the scorecard for exact numbers, long time ago, though we still had our skipper at the crease, Greg Ritchie. A very special player and someone I certainly enjoyed watching and here I was in the front row. 

My memory is not great, but I will never forget my first run in First Class cricket. I pushed it just forward of point and what I thought was an easy single appeared not when I turned around at the non-strikers end to see the ‘Cat’ flat out on the turf. 

He proceeded to dust himself off and then called me down mid over for a chat and suggested that if I ever did that again, it would be the last game I played for the State. I still have a laugh about it now, but it did change the way we went about our running. I did manage to hang in there with Greg for a while, he got another 100 and we managed to get things back on track. I think myself and Carl Rackermann managed a 50 run partnership for the last wicket if I remember correctly, Mocca scoring most of them and after 7 hours of batting, I was last man dismissed for 74 off 1000 balls and with no one left watching. We managed to get first innings points so a reasonable outcome. How the game has changed.

Peter Drinnen at the 1988 Australian Cricket Academy - back row, 5th in from the right

Can you remember your first dismissal in first class cricket?

Andrew Hilditch caught cutting off Peter ‘Crazy’ Cantrell. Never straight forward over the top but I’m sure I was pretty happy that it stuck.

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

Wasim Akram – I’m not sure I was there long enough to claim I faced him but found the pace and angle around the wicket uncomfortable though from square leg I was never in danger.

Ian Botham – Intimidating for a young country lad.

Ezra Moseley – too quick.

Wasim Akram

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

Tim May – against for SA and with at Kensington in Adelaide. Turned it square and a great competitor. I missed stumping David Hookes off of Tim in a grade cricket and this has stuck with me, mainly due to being reminded about it numerous times - by both parties.

Brett Henschell – quality cricketer and played mainly with Brett. Really enjoyed keeping to him.

Peter Sleep – great competitor.

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

David Gower – made it look so easy.

Ian Botham – destructive.

David Hookes – great to watch and a true competitor.

There’s so many more I could add.

David Gower

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

I’m mentioning this guy a lot but as a young player, Greg Ritchie supported my development as a young keeper and I certainly enjoyed watching and learning when he batted.

Greg Ritchie southern tour 1990. 167 not out against Victoria then a few days later 213 not out against SA. Amazing to watch in full flight.

Greg Ritchie

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

Paul Nobes, always felt you were a chance, but the chance never came. Just kept scoring runs, often not all th pretty, though pretty effective.

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

Yes without a doubt, my first game for the State was a tour game against Pakistan in Mackay. As mentioned earlier, facing Wasim Akram at his peak was way out of my league.

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

Peter Anderson. Very special with the gloves and a great bloke. I felt privileged to be in the squad and training with Ando and Heals. Heals was pretty special also. No one trained harder than Heals. We tried but could never match his workload.

In terms of wicket keeping which catch and stumping still brings a smile of satisfaction?

This one is an easy one. For some reason growing up, my 2 idols were David Gower and Allan Border. Both left handers which fascinates me, neither of them keepers. Now I admired them for different reasons but to get the opportunity of meeting both then playing with AB and against Gower was a dream come true. 

I played a 3 day game in Bundaberg, my hometown at the age of 18 for Queensland Country. It was against the touring English in 1987. They had a pretty handy side captained by Mike Gatting who scored 187 not out in this game and although we didn’t dismiss too many, I managed to stump David Gower off Kerry Emery down the legside. Very special moment though not as special as sitting in the dressing room post-match, Gower on one side and Botham on the other and the young 18 year old lad from the farm in the middle.

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

Allan Border – tough as nails, took over the Australian team at a challenging time and turned them around and as a player, took on any situation, no matter the level of difficulty confronting him and was often successful. Scoring hundreds against the might of the West Indies at the height of their powers, how hard must that have been? As a young player I learnt so much from AB, whether that was listening in a dressing room, training alongside or watching him play, I wanted to do it like AB.

Allan Border

I’ll give my mate a wrap here. Scott Prestwidge was and is a true competitor and a fantastic allrounder. Could impact on a game with both bat and ball. I remember a Colts game NSW V Queensland in Sydney in 1988. We all flew up from the Academy to compete against each other and Presto ended up knocking me over first ball LBW in the first innings and in the process broke my foot. There was no sympathy at that moment, though he did push me around town that night in a shopping trolley so we could enjoy the festivities together. I suppose that qualifies him as a true mate.

Scott Prestwidge takes a wicket for Queensland and celebrates with his team mates

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

Allan Border

Who has been your funniest team mate?

Greg Ritchie.

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

Playing for Colts in the Grade competition against Wynumm at the Gabba, Peter Charles our captain coach when trying to save the game decided to bat Ian Hansen before me. As far as I was concerned, that was time to give the game away and batting 11 I went to the crease passing Hanno on the way out fuming at this point and then having to face 4 balls to save the game, unfortunately I did not achieve this, Foxy knocking me over and Hanno, though disappointed we had lost found this quite amusing.

Well that was me done, off I went home ready to retire, and I must have been all of 23ish. What followed was pretty special. I lived with Scott Prestwidge who was playing that day for Wynumm and we got the call from Hanno who lived just up on the hill, best we commiserate, celebrate for Presto and off we went to the Gold Coast. What a night, hours earlier we were going at it and then we had one of the best nights out I can ever remember. I realised there and then what the game was about.

Who was your childhood hero?

Allan Border and David Gower.

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

Greg Norman – grew up admiring the shark.

Jessica Springsteen – hopefully she invites the old man along.

Lionel Messi – great story.

Jessica Springsteen

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

The late Tony Cozier.

What was your favourite ground to play at?

Hard to split, MCG and the WACA.

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

University of Queensland, good side, good competitors and many good blokes. Always a good win if you could get it.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

As a player that first innings against SA in my first game was quite special but too be honest, I only played a handful of games at the higher levels, many have played many more, and I just feel so privileged to have had the opportunities I have.

My greatest moment in the game has been as a coach. June 5 2009, opening game of the World T20 England V the Netherlands at Lords. A tricky preparation given the weather and such an important stage, we needed to compete and in theory, they should have been far too strong for us. In the end we managed to sneak home, the cricket gods were looking down and what followed was a night in orange I will never forget. The staff at Lords were so good to us, it was truly a special occasion for all involved.

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

I only had 4 blokes and their wives at my wedding, 3 cricketers and a school mate. These 3 guys are very important to me, back then and now.

Ian Hansen, Geoff Foley, Scott Prestwidge

What are your hobbies?

Enjoy getting out on the water.

Enjoy spending time at our beach/fishing house, a world away from the world.

Raising 3 young children.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

If you are going to do something, do it well.

Peter Drinnen coaching an up and coming wicket keeper at a Bundaberg Cricket Clinic

You run your own cricket coaching business PD Cricket, can you tell us a little bit about it, who your ideal customers are and how can people get in contact

I launched PD Cricket way back in the 1990’s when I used to design and implement coaching programs within many of the private schools in Brisbane and relaunched it on my return from overseas in 2014.

Since then, in conjunction with my Club, Valleys DCC, we have created an Academy that runs for 3 Terms per year and operates 11 programs covering all facets of the game for all levels of players, all ages, male and female.

This has been incredibly successful over the years and continues to grow as we would be one of the few Academies around that have Level 3 coaches leading each skill set supported by quality Level 2 coaches. 

We simply have highly qualified and motivated coaches guiding our young players with a coach to player ratio that allows for plenty of one on one support.

On my return to the club, I was asked about setting something up and I stated clearly, I want to coach, improve players and this operation has provided the vehicle for me to do this.

As well as my work with Valleys, I have a contract with Churchie to coach their First XI along with other coaching roles within the school and I thoroughly enjoy doing work for the Bulls Masters and any other clubs, associations who feel I can add value to what they offer.

My website will provide an overview of what I do, the areas I may be able to help with and all of our activities.

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

Yes fulltime professional coach and consultant. The game has been incredibly good to me, and I feel I am one of the lucky ones who has managed to make a living out of doing something I am truly passionate about.

I have a lot of people to thank for this and one comes to mind. Toot Byron, he put me on a coaching course many moons ago and made a throw away comment whilst assessing me stating, had I ever thought of coaching (I was very much focused on my playing at this point)? I said no and he replied, well you should, you seem to be very natural and communicate very well. Looking back, Toot just may have played a larger part in my career than first thought.

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?

Continue and potentially increase the investment in grassroots cricket. Ensure we are focused on identifying and then developing our next crop of cricketers.

Invest in club infrastructure. Clubs are the heart of the game. Ensure clubs are able to provide the appropriate environment through facilities, coaching support and strong administration that will ensure the above point is achieved. It will also help bridge the gap between club cricket and State as this gap is widening.