Paul Talbot - don’t give up and enjoy yourself
Bankstown District Cricket Club | May 15, 2023
Paul Talbot, affectionately known as ‘Straws’ started playing for Bankstown Cricket Club during the 1973/74 season and spent the next 27 years as a one club player taking 586 wickets at an average of 19.83 in all grades.
Paul is Bankstown first grade cap number 130 and took 263 wickets in first grade at an average of 22.78 from 1978 to 1995. He took 5 or more wickets in an innings on 7 occasions.
1988/89 and 89/90 were very productive seasons for Straws as he got pipped at the last hurdle to come 2nd in the Bill O’Reilly Player of the Year Medal and played NSW 2nd XI cricket.
Let’s find out more about Paul Talbot’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1959
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
It was Under 10s playing for Bankstown sports. I batted 11 and ended up not out not many. Bowled a few overs of medium pace.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Played junior cricket with Bankstown Sports. At 13 years of age I tried out for Green Shield at Bankstown. My junior coach suggested I bowl spin. I didn’t bowl spin in junior cricket. I was picked in the team and ended up taking 26 wickets that year in Green Shield. I played a couple of games in fifth grade that year after being called up from the juniors. The following year I was graded and made my first grade debut, cap number 130. I played all my cricket at Bankstown. Played NSW 2nd XI in 1989/90
Sydney Morning Herald - 30 November 1988
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I was graded in 3rds at 14 years of age.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I made my debut in 1978-79 and took 18 wickets at 27 in my first season.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I was a left arm orthodox spinner who could bat a bit.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
Scored 71 against Balmain in 2nd grade.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Playing for Bankstown, 7-39 v Sutherland 1987-88 and 7-56 v Gordon 1988-89. I think at Bankstown Oval.
Sydney Morning Herald - 23 February 1989
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Malcom Marshall at Trumper Oval in 1991-92 on a green top. After hitting him over slips a couple of times he then hit me on the body 3 times. 2nd top score in first dig before I stepped on my wicket.
John Skilbeck was quick. He knocked me out at Hurstville Oval whilst batting with Rod Bower (Log)
Evan Gordon had some pace when we played him on a wet track at Bankstown, It was interesting. Quicks didn’t land many in my half when I came into bat.
Malcolm Marshall
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Murray Bennett bowled the same as me but better.
Greg Mo Mathews was always a tough competitor and never stopped talking.
Tommy Shiner was always hard to get away and was a funny man.
Who has been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Rod Bower. Played with me at Bankstown before he went to Penrith and was one of the hardest hitters in the game.
Dirk Wellham was extremely hard to get out. He could bat for a long time.
Dirk Wellham
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I’ll never forget Sean Pope scoring 275 v Hawkesbury at Hawkesbury. I was actually playing third grade at the adjacent ground but was watching Popey most of the time. He wacked them from the time he got in. Champion bloke and bloody good cricketer.
Also Steve Smiths 200 in Poidevin Gray was unbelievable to watch.
Was there any batsman in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted their wicket?
Two batsmen in one game in particular. We were at state training and Rod Bower and Trevor Bayliss came up to me and said they were going to hit me out of the attack at Bankstown Oval. I had TB caught at mid-on and Loggy bowled trying to sweep me. Ended up with 6-58. That was good fun. Few drinks had after the game with the Penrith boys.
Rod Bower
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Terry Davies. Brilliant keeper to spin.
Terry Davies keeping for Glamorgan County
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Mark and Steve Waugh were obviously brilliant players. Junior effortless and Stephen the toughest player I’ve seen. One more player though I loved playing with and watching was Steve Smith. He was an unbelievable player who sometimes made it look easy. They were probably the best fieldsmen you’ll ever see.
Steve and Mark Waugh
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Two captains were outstanding, Bobby Vidler and Terry Davies. Both were very smart cricketers and I learned a lot from both of them. Also John Dunn in 2nd grade was a reason I played 1st grade at a young age.
We hear tales about an infamous NSW 2ndXI game in Canberra, what are your memories of the game and trip?
Not a great deal. Details are a bit sketchy. I know we went out to a Canberra nightclub with a few of the boys and 2 of them bought me undone badly. Tommy Shiner and Mark Atkinson. I wanted to get home early but the drinks kept coming. I did eventually get back to the hotel as the sun was rising. Got to the ground late, tried warming up but not very successfully. Tommy and Mark looked pretty good but I don’t think they got back to the hotel the same time as I did. One good thing was that we had to follow on. Probably didn’t do my representative chances any good.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Dean Waugh. Funniest man I’ve ever met.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Playing 2nd grade at Coogee Oval against Randwick I was bowling and taking a while changing the field when Doug Elfey yelled out hurry up big nose. I had to do something as he hit me and Freddy Freedman for 16 sixes that day.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
It wasn’t embarrassing but the day I trod on my stumps facing Malcom Marshall.
Who was your childhood hero?
Doug Walters was my favourite cricketer but all sports, the football genius George Best
George Best
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Jack Nicklaus, Pele, Darren Clarke [loves a pint]
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Junior Waugh and David Lloyd
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Bankstown, always turned. Also Manly and Coogee
Was there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Loved playing against St George. Always tough and good blokes. Also Waverley at Waverley, great keg setup under the grandstand after the game.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
Always loved the game and being with good mates. Not just first grade but mates in all grades. Played with some of these guys for 20 odd years.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Winning the 1st grade premiership against Petersham in 1987-88. Played in an outstanding team in that final.
Bankstown First Grade 1987/88 team photo
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Again the final in 87-88. Outstanding win after batting first on a wet deck scoring around 200 then rolling them.
Bankstown 1987/88 First Grade Premiers - celebration photo
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Might have to name more. David Thompson (big Tom), Craig Hogan (Hogey), Darren Stocks (Boots) Steve Small (Jack), Gary Crowfoot (Crowie). Played a lot of cricket with these guys.
Paul Talbot with David Thompson
What are your hobbies?
Golf, lawn bowls when I can fit them in
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Don’t give up and enjoy yourself. My old man Geoff.
What is your current occupation?
Fireman and lawn mowing run
Let’s give your employer a plug, who do you work for?
NSW Fire Brigade
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
No
If you were running Cricket NSW what would be your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Look after the youngsters coming through and country cricket. Lot of brilliant cricketers come from the country.
