Trent Ryan - strive to be better
Queensland Veterans Cricket | May 06, 2024
Trent Ryan is a strong advocate for the goodness of Veterans Cricket in Australia and has had a long and successful cricket career in Queensland. He is the proud owner of Queensland Veterans Player number 49 and equally proud Australian Over 50s cricket team cap number 37.
Trent played Queensland Premier Cricket for Sandgate Redcliffe, the Colts, and Northern Suburbs.
Trent made his first-grade debut for Sandgate Redcliffe in 1985-86, and he is first-grade player number 144. For Sandgate Trent scored 3,687 runs at an average of 32.91 and took 113 wickets at 23.48.
Let’s find out more about Trent’s journey in the game.
What year you were born?
1968 at Redcliffe
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
There have been plenty of first games at different levels, so given I now play Veterans Cricket I will go with my first Over 50’s game. It was played in the first week of July in the balmy tropics of Toowoomba. The outside temperature was but due to the gale force wind it feels like minus 1.6. It was that cold that the locals all wore beanies and the scorers for the day sat in a car with the heater on. We had a good win; I think I took 2 for 4 off 9 overs and was a dozen or so not out and hit the winning runs.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I started at Redcliffe Kippa-Ring Juniors when I was around 7 or 8. First game as 10-year-oldld in the under 12’s (youngest age group in those days) and finished at the age of 16. Then it was Sandgate Redcliffe to play Under 18’s before moving into Grade Cricket in 1984. My first game in the Senior’s was in First Grade. I played for QCA Colts for 2 seasons, had a season cut short by injury for Norths and finished off at Sandgate before an injury finished me off for good.
I played some winter cricket in Brisbane Warehouse competition for Caribbean, run by a little old white West Indian treelopper named Karl. That was some of the most fun I had playing cricket.
My “old people” cricket started back at Sandgate playing in their Over 40’s team and this will be my first year in around 10 years since I will run around with them, leaving it to the younger ones now. I now play Over 50’s for Brisbane Region in the Queensland Veterans Comp, this will be season number 5 or 6. This is also played with some great blokes and we have some fun and play some good cricket.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
First senior game was at age 17 for Sandgate against Valleys, did not bat or bowl. Second game against Wests and again didn’t bat or bowl. Third game was a split round, one week in First Grade and second week in Reserve grade, just my luck I fielded both days.
Round 4 Trevor Barsby was playing Shield Cricket so I got my first bat of the season opening against Toombul and after a nervous 20 minutes or so I scored my first runs with a drive through the onside for 3.
Trent Ryan - Australian Over 50s player number 37
What was the highest grade you played, and can you remember how you performed in your first game in that grade?
I played 2 one day games for Queensland against the West Indies.
In the first game I batted 6 or 7 and came in with 8 balls to go and made a masterful 2 not out off 2. I batted without a helmet and was allowed to live by Malcolm Marshall , he said he could have bounced me and killed me if he wanted. Did not see either ball he bowled to me, the 2 runs remain a mystery.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I was one of many that would be described as, did not take advantage of his abilities. I batted anywhere in the top 6 and bowled off spin. I captained a lot of sides I played in and I would like to think my opponents and teammates would consider me to a shrewd tactician with a very good cricket brain. As with anyone that played First Grade Cricket in Brisbane in the 1980’s and 90’s I played the game very hard.
I was an attacking top order batter, off spin bowler, good pair of hands in the slips and strong throwing arm.
What were your strengths as a player?
The better the opposition, or bigger the match, the better I played. I was very competitive and strong belief in my abilities when the game was on the line or in a final.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
Opening the batting for Sandgate Redcliffe in First Grade 165 vs Toombul. I scored a bucket load against them over the years, except when Harry Frei played.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
7 for 49 against University of Queensland in first grade, including a hat-trick with 2 test players as victims.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
As previously mentioned, I faced 2 balls from Malcolm Marshall, when he was nearing retirement, and I did not see either of them. In his prime he must have been a nightmare.
Greg Rowell, super competitive, very quick, never played at less than 100% intensity, stayed quiet but his stare said it all.
Any decent left-hand bowler that swung it into me. My balance fell a bit to offside so I played around my front pad a bit and at times struggled against these blokes. I guess Tazelaar was the pick as he was a couple yards quicker and got great bounce off a length.
Alistair Lynch and Trent Ryan
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Trevor Hohns and Malcom Francke for the same reason. Very accurate, did not spin their leggie much so they bowled a similar line for their leggie, top spinner and wrong un. Hohns had his flipper as well. Also, both were spinners with a fast bowler’s aggression.
Not that he was one the best, but Graham Whyte played Shield cricket for Queensland, and he took every game so seriously. I only played him in a pre-season trial, and he started his bowling to me with bouncer, bouncer, beamer, and a bucket load of sledging and swearing.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
I will go to non-First-Class players for this one as I played against plenty of them, so I will go with 3 that should be in that list.
Dean Tuckwell, he hit the ball as hard as anyone that has ever played cricket. Pace or spin bowling, it did not matter, and he never looked flustered, hurried, or nervous. He thought part time or partnership breakers bowlers were just there for him to have fun with and it was never a smart option if Tucky was set.
Dominic Ovenden was classy with bat and a good keeper. Technically good and like Tucky he could play quicks and spin well and scoring options to both sides of the pitch. Very good concentration skills and a thirst for runs.
I never played against him, but I must include a teammate from Sandgate, Matt Goggin. Just like Tucky but a bit better.
How these 3 never played higher is one life’s great mysteries.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Trevor Barsby played a first-grade game against Wynnum and he was in the 120’s or so at lunch and we were 0-191. He was out before drinks in the middle session for 170.
I don’t think he miss hit a ball, certainly not in the first over which finished at 0 for 24. He was seeing it that well he hit balls to boundary fielders and would just send me back, no singles for him that day, he just wanted the strike.
Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Left hand swinger bowlers, Harry Frei, Paul Twible, and Dirk Tazelaar were the main culprits.
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?
Playing against the West Indies in 1992-93 and opening against Patrick Paterson was one of those times. Anderson Cummins scared me shitless with one delivery that day. I hit him over his head for 4, the next ball bouncer would be the quickest ball I ever faced. David Williams was keeping on the 30-yard circle for a good portion of that day.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Easily, Peter Anderson
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Allan Border and Matt Hayden, not a lot of fun playing against Valley when they were both available. Every game was a Test Match to them, or that was their persona!
The good thing about it was it brought out the best in me as well, I had a good record against them when they were playing.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Peter Charles played the game as hard as anyone, and we had as much fun off the field as you could. I really enjoyed the 2 seasons with Colts with him as captain and he inspired me to be progress into the coaching ranks.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Brendan Creevey hands down, he was funny, full of mischievous deeds but could play the game.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Most of these events can’t be repeated here and they were amongst our own side at Sandgate, we had some characters.
Who was your childhood hero?
Greg Chappell, Jeff Thomson, and Viv Richards.
Greg Chappell
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Tom Brady
What was your favourite ground to play at?
I was lucky enough to play quite a few at the Gabba, it’s a pretty good place to play cricket.
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Valley and Toombul, very good challenges as they both had strong sides with plenty of good players and I enjoyed a lot of success against them.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
World Cup win for Australia Over 50’s in Sydney 2018, great blokes, hard work, perfect celebration.
2018 World Cup squad
Back Row - Michael Van Zuyden, Manager Tim Sargent, Billy Blair, Darren Smith, Gavin Brown, Stephen Gollan, Darren Hill, Joe Santostefano, Greg Biggs, Ross Mcllveen (Physiotherapist), Mark Bury (Selector), Trevor Chappell (World Cup ambassador)
Front Row - Bradley Manty, John Short, Todd O’Keefe, Peter. Solway (Captain), Rowan Harry, Craig Gislingam, Trent Ryan, Tony Clark
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Qld Colts vs NSW Colts at the Gabba. We won by one wicket win chasing only 124 in the last innings of the game. I batted at 8 and we were 6 for 40 odd when I went in, shortly after 7 out but I managed to be there at the end hitting the winning runs. There were some great players in both sides.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
That is a hard one to narrow down, Peter Charles (RIP) Brendan Creevey and Brett Mortimer.
You’re now playing over 50s cricket, what’s the best part of playing veterans cricket and what advice would you offer anyone over 50 who is thinking about playing again?
The social side the game, you get to renew old friendships and I have found it good for my mental health. I have had a few issues and I notice that I am in a much better space when I get to play cricket.
For anyone thinking of playing and you are doubting your athletic ability, that is not going to be a concern as we are all in the same boat. Saying that, if you want to play National Championships or International games you need to work hard for it as it is tough work playing multiple days in a row.
You’ve played for the Australian Over 50s cricket team. What did it mean to you personally to be selected in the Australian Over 50s team and how have you found the experience?
For me it was pretty much a childhood dream come true. It also gave me the satisfaction in knowing that hard work can pay off, stay positive and persistent is the key.
I had a bad injury 20 years ago, so it was a challenge for me physically. One of favourite quotes is “There is no traffic jam on the extra mile” and that was my mind set. Ability wise I always thought I would be good enough as a batter and a bowler.
The experience has been great, another set of mates gets added into your life, and there is nothing better than reliving a World Cup win. Given the next World Cup is in Sri Lanka I think I might give that one a crack as a spinner, so its back to the gym with a bit more purpose from now.
What are your hobbies?
Golf and cricket coaching.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
If its not broken, you can still make it better.
What is your occupation?
I’m the Principal at a real estate office on the Sunshine Coast – Sunshine Coast Property Rentals and the same business has a development company – Partners in Property, I do some selling for them as well.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
I have been doing a lot of coaching the last couple of years, but unfortunately full-time work has got in the way bit the last 6 months. I really enjoy coaching, love seeing players get better and surprising themselves.
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?
Funding for veterans’ cricket is obviously priority number one. Veterans cricket contributes on so many levels of cricket.
We are players, coaches, administrators, club volunteers, paying spectators, the list is endless, yet there’s no funding at all.
Number two is to always listen to your constituents, as they will tell you what you're doing wrong. They won’t always be right, but they aren’t always wrong either.
