Peter Clifford - a game to enjoy

Toombul District Cricket Club | February 05, 2023

Peter Clifford played first class cricket for NSW and Queensland scoring 2,864 runs in 48 first class games. He scored 6 centuries and 14 half centuries averaging 38.70.

Peter left home in Bellingen NSW to join Randwick Cricket Club in Sydney and played during one on the most successful eras of the clubs history.

On moving to Queensland Peter joined Toombul Cricket Club in 1986 and was the captain of the First Grade Premiership winning team in 1991/92. He was also awarded the Peter Burge medalist in the same year for being the best and fairest player in Brisbane premier grade cricket.

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

 

What year were you born?

1959 

Where did you go the high school?

Bellingen High School on the Mid North Coast of NSW

Do you remember your first ever game of cricket?

First game of cricket was at the back of our shop against my cousins and they were always very spirited games. I was about 7 and never liked getting out.

Where did you play your junior cricket?

I played all my junior cricket in Bellingen. There was only had 4 teams in the two so we played against each other a lot. We started at 9am and finished at 1pm and then I got on my push bike and rode to men’s cricket.

All our cricket was on cement, I didn’t play on turf until I was 17.

When you moved to Sydney why did you chose to play with Randwick Cricket Club?

I moved to Sydney to Coogee to play for Randwick as Alan Turner drove up to Coffs Harbour to meet my parents and we thought he was a decent man and he proved us right as he was the perfect role model on and off the field. Randwick was rebuilding with a young side and I fitted in well.

Coogee had great pubs, clubs and the beach so it was an ideal place to live.

What age did you make your first grade debut?

I was 20. I only made a few and was out Mick O’Sullivan, left arm spinner from Sydney University.

Who were the three bowlers you admired most in terms of skill, their competitive spirit and how they challenged you in Sydney Grade cricket?

I admired David Hourn as I could never pick him and was such a good bloke off the field.

Merv Black was an overweight medium pacer from Sutherland who never gave up and just wobbled the ball about all day.

Len Pascoe never gave up and in grade he always wanted to hustle the young punks.

Murray Bennett had the ball on a string and had everything a spinner needs. He was the best spinner I played with and also a very funny man.

Murray Bennett

Who was the fastest bowler you played against in Sydney?

Len Pascoe was the quickest and meanest however when if you did well he was always congratulated you.

Who was the best spinner you played against in Sydney?

David “Cracker” Hourn had me in knots. I couldn’t pick him so I just swept him to get off strike.

Who were the best three batsman you played against in Sydney grade cricket?

John Benaud - so powerful and had so much presence about him.

Rod Bower and Wayne Seabrook could turn a game in 3 hours. They were remarkable strikers of the ball and well before the big bats

Who played the best innings your saw in Sydney Grade Cricket?

Alan Turner made a big 200 in a grade final just batted and batted and would never give up. He batted the opposition out of the game. I made a quick 30 in the game and got out and boy was Alan shitty. I quickly realised what had to be done to perform to get to the next level.

Who were the two players you admired most in Sydney Grade Cricket in terms of their skills and competitive spirit?

Mike Whitney was a team mate who typified the spirit at Randwick. He bowled in a grade match after an arthroscope and his knee was bleeding through his pants and he told me “unless I get through this I won’t play the next shield game”. He got 5 wickets and played the next shield game.

Greg Matthews was very competitive, a real pain and we didn’t get on however I rated him as a bowler.

You were part of a great era at Randwick, what was it about the club, team that made it so good?

Randwick enjoyed a great era. We beat most teams, had great quicks, solid bats, a good chatty keeper (Alan Campbell) a tight spinner and at Coogee we were unbeatable.

We played for each other, we trained hard, played hard and socialised together.

Roz and Lyle Gardner treated us like family.

When did you make your first class debut for NSW and what can you remember about the game, who against and where?

My first class debut was against Tasmania’s on a green Davenport wicket in January 1984. I top scored with 74 in a drawn game.

What was your most memorable moment playing for NSW?

My most memorable game was 1984 Shield final between NSW and Queensland when we won on the last day 9 wickets down. It was a very aggressive and fiery match, I loved it.

What prompted the move to Queensland?

I wanted to live in Brisbane that’s why the move. I’m from the country and it felt like a big country town than Sydney

What attracted you the play with Toombul?

I played for Toombul as it was Jeff Thomson club and it was easier to play with him than against him. It was actually the best wicket in Brisbane.

Who was the fastest bowler you played against in Brisbane?

The quickest bowler I played grade cricket against in Brisbane was Greg Campbell. When his team turned up late I claimed the toss and batted on a very hot day at Toombul and he was pissed off. It was only for about an hour but he was really nasty (and funny).

Who was the best spinner you played against in Brisbane?

Best spinner I batted against was Cameron Boyce. He still is the best spinner and why he’s not picked for QLD is a joke, everyone knows he’s the best still.

Who were the best three batsman you played against in Brisbane Grade cricket and if you could add a few words as to why?

“Rowdy“ Freeman from Easts would have averaged 70 against Toombul. He was a little unusual, great runner between wickets and batted well with the tail.

Ken Healy was a master at digging in and never giving up. Great competitor and a top tourist.

Kim Evetts from Wynnum a very handy player, he could have been anything.

Toombul DCC 1993-94 First Grade premiership winning team

Back Row – Chris Smith, David Blake, Matthew Pascoe, Scott Williams, Ian Venamore, Chris Pascoe, Darren Millard

Front Row – Peter Clifford, Tony. O’Hara, Peter Skuse (Captain), Andrew. Pilgram, Andrew Knight

Who played the best innings your saw in Brisbane Grade Cricket?

Best innings in Brisbane was by David Blake (RIP) against Wynnum in a Semi Final on a Gabba green top. Prestwidge, Dale and “Steely “Dan were frightening that day and Blakey got hit everywhere but never gave up, sheer guts.

Who were the two players you admired most in Brisbane Grade Cricket in terms of their skills and competitive spirit and if you could add a few words to why?

Gavin Fitness a great keeper and grade bat and he held sides together. I used to try and annoy him when I was batting to shut him up to get some peace and quiet. He actually finished playing at Toombul and he’s a good mate now.

Gary Cosier was well past his prime when he played for Colts. The innings I saw and the sheer power was something to watch. He’s a great person, top man.

Malcolm Francke who is still playing at 70, considers himself a better bowler than Warne and coaches kids at Valley to this day.

John Bell was a great captain, administrator and coach ahead of his time, if Qld had better administrators and selectors at that time we would have won the Sheffield Shield earlier.

Malcolm Francke

Back to your First Class Cricket, how do you look back on your career?

I loved my time playing first class cricket. The friendships, the travel and I’m so glad I played when I did. Sponsored by a brewery, cigarette company and single, it doesn’t get any better.

I always thought it was a game to enjoy

What was your most memorable moment playing for Queensland?

The Queensland team inn 1989/90 was a really close outfit and we played NSW in the Shield Final. We were outplayed and lost the final but it was a special team to be part of.

We had a memorable win against the West Indies in Mackay, it was great to be a part of.

In the 48 first class games you played for NSW and Queensland what innings do you consider your best and why?

My best innings in first class cricket was 83 not out in the 198484 Shield Final when I playing for NSW against Queensland. To be 9 down and be not out when we won in such a pressure situation was very satisfying. An innings I’m very proud of.

Who were the best 3 batsman in first class cricket you came up against?

Allan Border, David Hookes and Graham Gooch – they were wonderful to watch and hit the ball in the gaps more often than not. They prepared in the warm ups their own way and played the way they knew.

Allan Border batting with Ian Botham at the Gabba

Who was the quickest bowler you played against in first class cricket?

Patrick Patterson was the quickest and Malcolm Marshall was frightening.

Anyone on their day was quick however I thought Patterson was physically intimidating.

Who would you consider to be the best spinner in your time playing first class cricket?

Tim May made the ball curl away and then rip back into you. He had a great arm ball and at Adelaide Oval he was always hard to play.

Was there a particular moment in any game where you thought, wow, this player is a step above the rest – if you could describe that wow moment and why?

Javed Miandad took us apart at the Gabba one day and he just worked the angles so well, ran hard and used to annoy the quicks with his quirky comments.

Who were the two players you admired most in first class cricket in terms of their skills and competitive spirit and if you could add a few words to why?

Imran Khan I admired as he had everything and apart from a great cricketer he was a leader and helped Dirk Wellham turn NSW from a good side into a great side.

John Dyson was a valued team man and he bought humour and guts to any team. If I had to pick someone to bat for my life its Dyson.

Who was the best wicket keeper you saw firsthand playing with or against?

Peter Anderson was the best keeper I ever saw. He made it look easy, a great tourist and handy bat.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

My most memorable moment was any win. I used to love winning and celebrating with the guys. That’s why you play, it’s to enjoy each other’s success.

Toombul team mates celebrating after a win

Who’s been the biggest influence in your cricket career?

My dad, he was always taking me to training and showing me the enjoyment of the game. Growing up in the country and playing cricket with the older guys helped the kids become better people.

Who would you consider to be the best Captain of the team you played in and why?

Dirk Wellham is the best captain. He was 3 hours ahead of the play, very clever and a great man manager. Allan Border not far behind and led by example.

Who was the funniest cricketing team mate?

Greg “Fat Cat” Ritchie. He was the funniest player I played with. Accents, funny walking, and jokes he kept everyone amused while flying, which he was terrified of

Who is your favourite all time cricketer?

My all-time favourite was Ian Botham. He had flair, power and did it his way and always a character and did a lot for charity.

What did you enjoy most about playing Premier/Grade Cricket in Sydney and Brisbane?

I enjoyed playing in both states. I enjoyed seeing young players coming through I loved the mateship and talking shit with everyone after the game.

Was there much of a difference between playing in Sydney and Brisbane?

Sydney grade cricket was played under more intensity than Brisbane. The grade rules here are ridiculous, wickets too flat and negative teams will dominate in Brisbane

If you’re in the middle seat of the middle row of Qantas QF1flight to London which team mates would you choose to on your left and right?

If I had to be on the flight and I have the freedom to choose I’m going with Nigella Lawson who is a great cook in case we run out of food. On the other side would be Faith Hill a great singer and apart from my wife, the most beautiful woman in the world.

Did you have any cricketing superstitions?

I had no superstitions but apparently I didn’t like anyone moving my gear in the dressing room.

You turned your hand to umpiring sometime after retirement. What was the attraction to start umpiring?

I umpired first grade for 3 years and was in the state development team. I did it as it’s the best seat in the house to watch cricket and I wasn’t overly impressed with the standard of umpiring in Brisbane grade cricket. I wanted to make a difference.

Peter Clifford as coach of Toombul District Cricket Club First Grade team

Do you like the modern game and what can the game do to make it better?

I would recommend getting rid of the Kookaburra turf ball and use the duke ball as it’s the best ball by miles and helps the game to be more of a competition between bat and ball. I’d like to see the administration recommend the wickets at first class and grade cricket also bring out the competition between bat and ball. At the moment the wickets are too flat

Also I’d like to see the new ball be taken after 100 overs, not 80 so it can bring spinners more into the game.

Pathways seem to be nearly gone, fingers crossed. Give money back to the clubs as they know how to bring players through better than anyone. The gap between Shield and Grade cricket has never been wider so pathways hasn’t worked. It’s time to go back to what worked.

What advice would you offer a young 18 year old who has the ambition of playing test cricket?

My advice to any young player is that it’s only a game and we are just the minders of the great game, no more.

What are your hobbies?

Candle making and relaxing with my family.

Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general? 

The lessons I have learned in sport, work and life “people only remember your last day so finish well.”

and

“Keep your brand clean, your personal brand is all you have”