Chris Lanagan - make the batsman come to you
Valley District Cricket Club | April 22, 2024
Chris Lanagan made his first-grade debut for Valley District Cricket Club in 19894-95 and is the proud owner of first grade cap number 621.
A right arm swing bowler Chris took 210 first grade wickets at an average of 24.24. He took 138 wickets at 27.16 in two-day cricket and 72 wickets at 18.65 in one day cricket.
In all formats Chris took 395 wickets for Valley DCC.
Chris plays veterans’ cricket in Queensland and was a member of the successful Queensland team that won the Over 50s Division One national Championships in Melbourne in December 2023.
Let’s find out more about Chris journey in the game.
Lead image – Chris Lanagan dismissing former Queensland batter Peter Clifford first ball on his way to taking 7 for 32 in the first innings against Toombul.
Keith Dudgeon Cricket Specialist is a proud sponsor of Valley District Cricket Club
What year you were born?
Born in 1973 in Monto, Qld and moved to Toowoomba when I was 4 years old.
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
My first official game of cricket was when I was 7 years old for Norths Junior CC in Toowoomba
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Growing up in Toowoomba I played for Norths as junior from U9’s to U16’s, playing in junior rep teams along the way. Started playing permanently at senior level for Railways CC from age 15 where I was able to play alongside my dad and moved over to University CC (Toowoomba) for a first grade opportunity for 3 seasons and played in the inaugural premiership winning first grade side in 1993/94.
I made the move to Brisbane at the start of the 1994/95 season where I began play for Valley District Cricket Club playing in the first grade premiership side that same year and have been at the club ever since.
In 1998 in played in the UK for Bangor CC in the North Wales Premier League and spent 1 season at the Across the Waves CC in Bundaberg in 2003/04 when I was transferred there for work for 2 years.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
I made my senior cricket debut at 11 years old filling in when my dad’s 4th grade team was short for a one day match. From memory I bowled first change and took 1-25 off 8 overs.
What was the highest grade you played, and can you remember how you performed in your first game in that grade?
Played first grade in Brisbane for around 10 seasons. I took a wicket with my first ball in grade cricket and took 3-71 off 23 overs on debut.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Right arm swing bowler and right hand batter
What were your strengths as a player?
My strength is being able to swing the ball both ways, although predominantly outswing. Capable with the bat and also a good in the field with safe pair of hands (on most occasions).
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
Now some of the people reading this won’t believe it but I have scored 1 century. I scored 121 not out in a league game whilst playing in the UK for Bangor CC.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I took 8/33 in first grade for Valleys at our home ground of Peter Easton Oval against Toombul
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Andy Bichel – fast away swingers and tremendous competitor
Brendan Creevey – the ultimate competitor who could bowl at a lively pace and do plenty with the ball
Mark Shackel – great bowler who swung the ball and was always at you
Andy Bichel
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Scott O’Leary – good offie with consistent areas and great control
Matthew Anderson – very good left armer with good variation
Geoff Foley – great bowler with all the skills and came from a big height which often made him hard to read
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Martin Love – a tremendous batsmen who played all the shots with majestic ease
Matt Goggin – seriously good hard hitting batsmen and another one who should’ve had higher honours
Brian May – the “Bush Bradman” who still hits the ball as well today as he did 30 years ago
Martin Love
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Easy question……Lee Carseldine 165 not out in his first grade debut as a 17 year old!! Against a quality University attack he shared a 300+ run partnership with Matthew Hayden.
Was there any batter in particular who whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Martin Love. As a swing bowler I like to pitch the ball up and with his driving ability you only ever had a very small margin of error and Lovey would be dispatching you along the ground to the fence.
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?
The first grade semi-final I played in against the Gold Coast in 94/95 was probably a step up from the round games we’d played in that year. Quite a tense final and we held on with 1 or 2 wickets to spare. The last hour was played in pretty ordinary light, but the umpires didn’t want to go off and we were able to survive the second new ball and hang on for a draw and progress through to the grand final.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Wade Seccombe was the best gloveman and probably by some distance. Brendan Shinnick and Gavin Fitness on a par for the best wicketkeeper/batsman with different abilities to take the game away from their opponents. Also, a notable mention to Steven Baker, who I have had the pleasure to play with now at veterans’ level, great batsman and tremendous gloveman.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
My good mate Darin “Hooch” Turner is easily number 1 for his competitive spirit and his skillset. Very unlucky not to play at a higher level, in my humble opinion of course.
Micheal Ephraims is the second. The absolute competitor in everything he did from cricket, rugby or table tennis just had to win everything and had the skills to be able to do it!!
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Micheal Ephraims was my captain for most of my first grade career. Tactically good and knew what buttons to push to get the best out of his players. Also had the good fortune to be captained by Allan Border in a one day final at the Gabba which was a tremendous experience and honour to be able to say I got captained by the great man.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Brendan Shinnick, he was our Valleys wicket keeper and was usually saying or doing something that had us in stitches.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
There were probably plenty but none that stand out…
Who was your childhood hero?
Allan Border and had the very fortunate pleasure of being able to play alongside him and be captained by him. Was even able to get the “teapot” experience from AB when I dropped a hot chance off his bowling at short cover one day…
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Tiger Woods
Keiran Perkins
Cameron Smith (the golfer……but the other one would be ok too)
Kieran Perkins
What was your favourite ground to play at?
The Gabba, lucky enough to play there on 4 occasions, and they were all finals of some description, with a 3/1 win/loss record…
Was there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Toombul. Bit of northside Brisbane rivalry between us and we always played out some pretty good games. Plus, I had good success against them so that probably helps…
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
There have been a few, but if I had to pick one it would be that my first wicket for Valley DCC was caught A. Border bowled C. Lanagan
Chris Lanagan and Allan Border
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
There have been a lot of memorable ones, but I’ll go with the most recent. Winning the Over 50’s Division 1 National Championship played at Junction Oval against Victoria was pretty awesome. A great group of old blokes that played some great cricket across 4 days. I think you appreciate the wins a bit more when you get to our age and are still playing competitively.
Back Row – Mark Horswill (Manager and Scorer), Simon Milton, Chris Lanagan, John Short, Jason Simmons, Damien Meek, Chris Holding (Vice Captain) Craig Trindall
Front Row – Ashley Sippel, Andrew Kratzmann, Clint Keble (Captain) Mark Kratzmann, Shane Riley
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Gavin Brown, Richard Anderson, and Jeff Mays. We all enjoy an “occasional” beer and punt so it would no doubt be a good afternoon.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy playing golf and working on renovation pieces around my house when I get the chance
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Bowl your areas and make the batsman come to you
What is your occupation?
I am currently a Continuous Improvement Project Manager for the Kmart Group in Wesfarmers
Valley District Cricket Club First Grade Premiership winning celebrations 1994-95
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Yes, still involved. On the playing side I play in the Qld Veterans competitions and am a current member of the Qld Division 1 side and on the administration side I am a member of the Valley DCC Executive and also look after the supporter’s association for the club.
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?
Premier Grade cricket performances being the focus of selection for State squads (not just underage potential) and having all state squad players playing as much Premier grade cricket as possible. These 2 priorities would ensure a strong grade comp and lead to a stronger state side.
