Jeff Thorpe - believe in yourself
Sydney Cricket Club | June 13, 2024
Jeff Thorpe made his first grade debut for the Balmain Tigers at the age of 16 during the 1986/87.
A tall wicket keeper batsman Jeff had the good fortune to keep to many first class bowlers and played in some very talented Tigers team in the late 80s and was part of their premiership winning team in 1998/99.
Let’s find out more about Jeff’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1970
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
My first official game was in 1978/9 for Rydalmere DCC at Ryde public school. I scored 17 not out and remember packing my small kit & realising I didn’t wear a hector. That never happened again.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
All my junior cricket was for Rydalmere DCC before going to grade with Balmain DCC. I had 3 seasons with Fairfield DCC & 2 at Parramatta DCC before returning to Balmain. Played 1 season of Shires with Holroyd DCC after that
What other sports do you play?
Had a crack at most but grew up playing rugby league with Ermington-Rydalmere JRLFC & played a few seasons of rugby union with Drummoyne
Who is your favourite sports movie or documentary?
Major League
What’s the one thing about you most people don’t know about?
My intelligence if they believe that
Jeff with Neil Maxwell - 1998/99 First Grade Premiers
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
152 n.o. for Balmain vs ND’s in 2nd grade at Waitara
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Glenn McGrath - could put every ball on a 5c piece
Brett Lee - just purely quick
Wayne Holdsworth - not only quick but could hoop them
Who has been the best three spinners you have played against?
Never really rated spinners but
Mark O’Neill – consistent
David Freedman - heaps of turn
Mick McMahon - got me out more than any other, somehow
Who has been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Mark Waugh - just elegance
Mark Taylor - so resilient
Rod Bower - just awesome power
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I’ve seen some belters, Phil Marks, Steve Smith. Rod Bower, Greg Hayne, Darren Tucker, Craig Haworth to name a few but the one which has been mentioned a few times was Scott Hookey when I was at Fairfield with his 200 at Rosedale Oval which is a fair sized ground. I wasn’t keeping that day and did more miles than a Bart Cummings galloper and it was only the 40th over when he got out. Just brutal
Who has been the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Having never been coached I watched keepers more when I was younger, Allen Turrell was exceptional, but I would have to say Phil Emery as he so consistent
Who was the fastest bowler you kept to?
That’s easy Andrew Jones hands down
What was your favourite catch behind the stumps?
He’ll hate me to say it but Chris Madden when he was playing for Mosman at Drummoyne Oval of Dudley Slater. The ball was going down leg and jagged away and Maddo did well to get bat on it and it stuck diving the other way
Who were the best spinners you kept to?
Probably couldn’t go past Greg McLay & Adrian Tucker. Greg was always consistent & Adrian could always rip them
What was your favourite stumping?
In a 2nd grade game I was keeping at to the stumps to Paul Lakeman vs Manly at Drummoyne and they we’re 9 down and only needed a couple to win. Lako bowled a slower offie & got the stumping to win the game. Otherwise stumping any opposing keepers but won’t name names
Who were your top 2 bowlers you enjoyed keeping to?
I’d have to say Andrew Jones & Greg McLay
Milton (Jones) was just menacingly quick and hurt a lot of batsmen and me as well. Hollywood (McLay) was just so consistent with line and length
Balmain Tigers 1989/90
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
I’d have to say Mick Haire as he had a great knowledge and always had faith in me
Who has been your funniest team mate?
So many but I’d have to say Craig Haworth. He’s just a lunatic and still to this day
Who was your childhood hero?
In cricket Greg Chappell
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
I guess the big boys Tiger Woods, Roger Federer & Michael Jordan
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Billy Birmingham – and Bill Lawry
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Drummoyne Oval easy
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Phil Marks and Steve Smith
Phil Marks
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
Just the competitiveness and camaraderie
What has been your most memorable moment in cricket?
My 1st grade debut for Balmain vs Parramatta at Old Kings in a Tooheys Cup game when I was only 16. Got a few snares and a couple not out. We played against Bob Aitken who was old enough to my my grandfather
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Not so much a match but winning the first grade competition with Balmain in 1998/99 after having returned to the club that season after playing my last game the previous season batting in 4th grade at Parramatta.. It was nice to prove a few people wrong
What are your hobbies?
Don’t really have hobbies but love the horses
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Just believe in yourself
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
No haven’t been since I hung up the gloves
