Chris Holding - back yourself in everything you do
Toombul District Cricket Club | May 21, 2024
Chris Holding is Toombul District Cricket Club first grade player number 488 after making his debut during the 1989–90 Brisbane Grade Cricket season.
A very talented right-hand batter, Chris celebrated his first hundred in first grade in the grandest of style when he steered Toombul to their first premiership in first grade for 28 seasons when they defeated Easts in 1990–1991.
Chris spent several seasons in the Queensland Sheffield Squad and played Queensland 2nd XI cricket, demonstrating his batting talent, and run scoring.
Chris was selected for the Australian Over 50s cricket team to tour New Zealand in March 2024. He is Australian Over 50s player number 70. Chris was also a member of the successful Queensland Over-50s cricket team that won the 2023–24 National Championships when they defeated Victoria in the final.
Let’s find out more about Chris's journey in the game.
In Safe Hands is a proud sponsor of Toombul District Cricket Club
Where were you born?
Brisbane. QLD
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
I was 9 and played for Toombul in the Under 10s. Dad was the coach. From memory, I got 20 not out (I had to retire at 20).
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey.
I started playing cricket at Toombul DCC in under 10s and played the majority of my cricket at Toombul. I played a season of 1st Grade Colts and one season at Souths in Brisbane. I played overseas in England, Toronto, Canada, and Malaysia.
In which grade and at what age did you debut in senior cricket?
I played my first game of senior cricket in 5th grade at the age of 12 for Toombul.
What was the highest grade you played, and can you remember how you performed in your first game in that grade?
I played first grade for Toombul. From memory, I was slashed in first and second grade, so I fielded both weekends.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Top order batsman and a reluctant medium pace bowler.
What were your strengths as a player?
Patience and bat within my skill set. I always thought that bowlers needed to bowl at me and would let balls go so the bowler would change his plan and start bowling at me.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
156 not out for Toombul vs University at Ken McKay Oval (Toombul’s home ground)
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
5/33 playing Colt’s 1st grade against Norths at Windsor Park.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Michael Kasprowicz – Bowled fast and moved the ball around—a great guy off the park also.
Brett Mortimer – Bowled fast and was at you constantly. Only wish he pitched a few up occasionally!!
Craig Jesberg – Not that quick but constantly bowled a great line and length and moved the ball around.
Who were the best 3 batsmen you’ve played against?
Andrew Courtice – Always scored runs against us and they were big 100’s
Matt Hayden – For obvious reasons
Martin Love – you knew you were in trouble when Lovey called for his wide brim hat. He was in for the long haul, then!!
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand, playing with or against?
Peter Clifford – Cliffo made club cricket look so easy, no matter who the bowler was. I saw him score plenty of 100s. He scored a 171 in a 1st grade final; this one was the best I saw.
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Any bowler who could bowl fast and swing the ball always caused me problems. I played in the era when there were no short ball rules, so there were days when you didn’t get too many in your half, so there was plenty of ducking, weaving, and sledging.
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?
I played around 10 2nd X1 games for Qld, and that level was always a step up from grade cricket. Being in the shield squad and attending training was a huge step up. Facing McDermott, Rackemann, Rowell, Kasprowicz, Dirk Tazelaar and Scott Williams with brand-new balls was always a test.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Adam Gilchrist was the best wicketkeeper I played against. I played Adam in U19s and U21s when Qld played NSW. I saw him in both age groups stand up to the opening bowlers and get plenty of leg-side stumpings. Wow
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Matt Hayden – Matt and I have known each other since we were 12, and I have never seen anyone like Matt work so hard on his game so he could be the best, and he was the best.
Scott Williams – Willo never gave up and was a fierce competitor. He bowled his heart out with every spell and just wanted to kill the batsman.
Matt Hayden
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Peter Skuse – Skuzza was a great captain and a good mate. I enjoyed every minute of playing with him.
Who has been your funniest teammate?
Scott Williams for club cricket and Jimmy Maher for representative cricket. Both guys made me laugh always. There was never a dull moment with these guys in your team.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Playing against University. They beat us easily in this round. In the second innings of the game, late in the afternoon we organised with the umpire to bowl the 1st ball with a shiny red apple instead of the ball. The apple went splat, and the apple went everywhere. It surprised the batsmen, but it still makes me laugh.
Who was your childhood hero?
The Master Blaster – Viv Richards
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Viv Richards, Frankie Dettori, Mohamed Ali
Viv Richards
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Ken McKay Oval - Toombul
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
I always looked forward to playing against Sandgate-Redcliffe. They were competitive games, and no player from both sides ever took a step back. Sometimes, it did get a little out of hand, but it was always fun to have a beer with them after the game.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Scoring my 1st grade hundred in 1st grade in the final against Easts in 1991. Toombul had not won a final in 28 years. I remember the shot to bring up my hundred, a square cut of Brian Brix for four at the Gabba. Brixy still has the ball and said he would give it to me one day. Brian?
Toombul DCC First Grade Premiership winning captain Peter Clifford on Chris Holding
"In the first-grade grand final against the Easts at the Gabba, Chris Holding made a gritty century. His strength was that he made bowlers bowl at him; this was the key at the Gabba.
The grand final hundred put him in the state squad the following summer.
Chris was a well-liked player who fitted in well with a very determined and focused team, and he was part of the Toombul "dynasty" in the early 1990s.
He’s also a great guy. "
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
The 1991 1st grade final against Easts. After losing the previous year to Souths, it was a great win for the club after a long 28-year wait.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Andrew Pilgrim, Scott Williams and Tony O’Hara
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?
Get into it, and its great fun. Playing cricket with plenty of old foes and talking about cricket with guys that want to talk about cricket. Absolutely enjoy it!!!
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?
It is a great honour to play for Australians over 50s. I toured New Zealand with a great bunch of guys, and hopefully, there will be more opportunities in the future.
Chris Holding receives his Australian Over 50s cricket cap from Queensland team mate Damien Meek
What are your hobbies?
Watching NRL, punting with my mates, drinking a nice chardonnay (with ice, of course)
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Back yourself in everything you do
What is your occupation?
Software Asset Manager for the CIMIC group. I have worked for them for 28 years. The only job I have ever had.
Andrew Kratzmann and Chris Holding celebrate their match winning partnership against the United States in the Tri Series Final in New Zealand - March 2023
Are you still involved in cricket, and if so, in what capacity?
Yes, I am. I am chairman of Selectors and an Executive member of Toombul District Cricket 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?
· Invest in club cricket and make it your breeding ground for state cricketers.
· Listen to the clubs; they are on the ground, and they know what they need to be successful. Club cricket is about winning 1st-grade premierships and getting club players ready for state cricket.
