Dean Morrison - LassWho

Toombul District Cricket Club | February 26, 2023

Dean Morrison started his cricket journey with Toombul District Cricket Club asa junior in the Under 10s and made his way into grade cricket in 6th grade.

During the 1996/97 season Dean made his first grade debut to become Toombul DCC first grade player number 515.

At the age of 24 Dean moved to the UK to play some cricket and has since also enjoyed a successful career in finance and accounting. Recently he launched an exciting new business venture called “LassWho”.

Dean also represented the Jersey national cricket team in numerous International Cricket Council tournaments, as well as for the Australian Indigenous XI in 2003.

Let’s find out more about Dean’s journey and his business. 

What year you were born?

1978

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

Brisbane – U10s Toombul Red vs North Star White on a Saturday morning at Geebung State School. I would have been 9 years old.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

I grew up in Brisbane and played all my junior cricket at Toombul District CC. Then on to seniors from 6th grade to 1st grade. Before moving to the UK when I was 24, I briefly played a bit of 1s and 2s at Northern Suburbs District CC. Both clubs have an incredible history of state and international representatives and even more so servants who gave so much to the game like Ces Anstey, Errold La Frantz and Roger Harris. Australian Indigenous XI in 2003 after representing Qld in the Imparja Cup.

In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?

Would have been 14 in 6th grade for Toombul vs Norths at St Pauls School.

At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?

It would have been 1996, so 18 years old. It was a great step up.

If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?

Wicket keeper that could bat a bit anywhere in the order.

What were your strengths as a player?

Energy on the field – enjoyed giving it a go.

Before we delve further into your cricketing life, we understand you’ve launched a new business and App called LassWho. Can you tell us a little bit about the business and your target market?

LassWho was born out of the COVID lockdown in 2020. My club in Jersey was doing Zoom calls every Saturday, so one week I introduced a few friends who were either current or former players to the session (Brendan Nash, Clinton Perren, Ben Dunk, Peter Clifford and Daniel Bell Drummond). All guys I had known from district cricket days in Brisbane.

LassWho offers fans and followers the opportunity to connect directly with you their heroes or inspirational people for live video chats. The booking process is simple. Within minutes you can have a meeting booked and confirmed. Our target market ranges from the young to 30+ to clubs, schools, associations and corporates.

LassWho removes additional costs associated with booking heroes, such as travel and accommodation costs and also unnecessary dead time travelling to get to the event.

LassWho can be downloaded from the App Stores through this link 

What was the motivation for the LassWho concept?

At the heart of LassWho is the ability to break down barriers and connect people with their heroes for moments of genuine inspiration and knowledge sharing that will leave an indelible memory in the life of a fan.

There are a few marketplace engagement platforms Cameo, Swhysh, how does LassWho differ from your competitors?

The marketplace is growing with many participants at different levels of maturity in terms of success so far. Every participant has their sweet spot and target audience.

LassWho differs as we are dedicated to live video chat exchanges for genuine moments of sharing knowledge, stories and experiences that will leave a long lasting impression on fans. We want to create moments that live forever and help people discover what is possible.

Who are the cricketers we’ll recognise on your platform and what’s been one of your most satisfying video engagements to date?

The connections through our network have been key – in terms of cricketers we have a first class line up including the following international heroes:

Eoin Morgan, Simon Jones, Darren Lehmann, David Gower, Pat Cummins, Courtney Walsh, Graeme Smith, Charlotte Edwards, Daren Sammy, Brendon McCullum, Chris Jordan, Jonathan Trott, James Vince, Tammy Beaumont, David Boon, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Alex Hartley, Dwayne Bravo, David Willey, Danni Wyatt, Matthew Hoggard, Jason Gillespie, Adam Voges, Danny Morrison, Mark Butcher, Shane Lee, Mark Waugh and many more.

Chris Jordan and Tammy Beaumont have been two of our favourites so far as the reaction of the audience was special.

We have pivoted into other fields now that include some of the biggest names in Rugby, Golf, Netball, Horse Racing and the Olympics.

Ok, back to your cricket - What was your highest score in senior cricket?

218 not out v East Redlands for Northern Suburbs in 3rd Grade.

Dean Morrison plays a cover drive batting for Jersey

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

Not much of a bowler but I do recall burgling 2 wickets for a couple of runs vs Valleys in a second grade match in the second innings. I don’t think they landed.

Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?

Marlon Black (West Indies), Scott Prestwidge and probably Mitch Johnson (in the nets at club training but never fun on astro turf even at half pace). Anyone with extra pace and around the waste to throat region never made for giving much away.

Marlon Black

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

Brett Henschell (Valleys) I thought was so crafty. Kept wicket to Scott Moodie who could give it a rip and was always in the game. Matt Anderson did well against Toombul. He took 9 wickets in an innings once and then played for Queensland.

Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?

Justin Poole, Stuart Law, Adam Voges.

Stuart Law

Who played the best innings you’ve seen first-hand playing with or against?

James Hopes in Maryborough around 2001 was fairly destructive – could hit a really clean ball.

Was there any bowler/batsman in particular who for whatever reason seemed to always cause you a few problems?

Anyone over 80 mph

Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Gavin Fitness was a pretty good operator and Chris Hartley was a master. Toombul and Norths boasted arguably some of the finest glove men to play – Don Tallon, Wally Grout, Ian Healy and Chris Hartley. Outstanding tradition.

Chris Hartley wicket keeping for Queensland

Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?

Brendan Nash and Aaron Nye who I played with and against since we were about 11. Aaron was pure class, looked great and should have played tons more for Queensland.

Toombul played Norths in 1999 in a second grade final and I clanged Nashy on not many. He batted all day for 80 odd of a lot of balls and put a score on the board for his team. He turned around an average season, to then be leading run scorer in first grade the following season. Queensland and West Indies followed and the rest is history. His mental ability was outstanding. Both such nice guys as well.

Brendan Nash

Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?

Andrew Knight was a good leader, great cricketer and top man.

Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?

Too many, Toombul is a great club and banter was never short.

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

Pair in a day opening vs Gold Coast was fairly special for the wrong reasons.

Who was your childhood hero?

Ian Healy and Mike Gatting.

Ian Healy

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

It’s a tie - Danny Morrison, Kerry O’Keeffe and Graeme Swann (maximum entertainment)

What was your favourite ground to play at?

I was fortunate enough to play at Lord’s once. It is so special. MCG was incredible as well.

MCC tour to Thailand in 2018

What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?

Toombul vs Sandgate was always a great fixture – particularly during the mid to late 90s when Sandgate were at their best.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Jersey vs Nigeria (ICC World Cricket League at Bayumas Cricket Ground in Malaysia 2011) – we needed to win to remain in the ICC structure. There was a few hundred grand in ICC funding riding on the fixture. It was great to play a part.

What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?

The above win as there was so much riding on it and meant so much to the team and Jersey supporters.

Jersey Cricket team

Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?

Socials are important – Brad Wigney, Greg Maher and Clinton Perren. Jon Hopes as a backup.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

When my brother was apprentice to Ron Hall – 4Ds ‘Desire, Drive, Determination, Dedication’.

Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?

I am a Life Member of the Marylebone Cricket Club at Lord’s and still stay involved by managing the Channel Islands Tour every year and a few years ago was fortunate enough to manage an overseas tour to the far east.