Ian Stenhouse - loved the competition

Redlands Tigers Cricket Club | February 16, 2023

Ian Stenhouse grew up in Rockhampton and despite being just over 600 kilometres from Brisbane was identified as a very talented young cricketer. His talent and performances were rewarded with selection in Queensland under age teams from 11 through to the Australian Under 19s at the age of 17.

Cricket took Ian around the world at a very young age and its been quite the journey. Let’s find out more

Queensland Under 11s - Ian with brother Paul

What year you were born?

1967

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

I don’t recall it, but I was 7, so 1974. Mum tells me I sat down in the field as I was ‘tired’. No Milo Cricket back then. I would have been playing Under 11’s with my two older brothers in Rockhampton.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

I was fortunate to have a dad and older brothers that were decent cricket players. Mighty competitive backyard games were probably the best training you could get. Brother Paul bowling massive no balls on a 15 yard pitch with a taped-up tennis ball! That was tough!

Captained Qld Under 11’s in 1977. 2 week cricket trip to Western Australia as a 10 year old! Had to billet everywhere as well. Brother Paul was in the Under 13 team. Not sure we talked to each other the whole trip! Made all state and national under-age sides from Rockhampton. Under 19 Australian carnivals in Hobart and Sydney. In 1985 I was fortunate to make the Aussie squad to tour India and Sri Lanka March and April. That was one of the few Aussie teams to have won a series in India. What an experience as a 17 year old Rocky boy!

Home test series against New Zealand and my final year in 19’s against India again. State colts (U/24 in those days) with Paul playing at the Gabba v NSW with Ian Healy as skipper and John Buchanan as coach. We were both still country lads back then as well. Played a couple more years in the State Colts team before they changed it to Under 21.

Chosen for the initial intake at the AIS Cricket Academy in Adelaide, 1988. In those days it was a full year where we boarded at St Mark’s College opposite the Adelaide Oval. Fun times and still great mates with the squad. We were guinea pigs for sure.

The AIS squad of 1988 - 30 year reunion in 2018

Played a couple of seasons over in the UK which was such an awesome experience. I hope my boys get the same experience one day.

Toured NZ with a Rockhampton team back in the early 80’s as well.

I was very lucky to have played cricket in 5 countries before I was 20.

Clubs

• Rockhampton – Frenchville
• Brisbane – QCA Colts, Easts, Wynnum, Norths
• Adelaide – East Torrens
• UK – Winton CC (Manchester Association) Ashton Under Lyne (Central Lancs)

Australian Under 19 team - 1986

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

Rockhampton – A Grade 16yo

Brisbane - 1st Grade at 19

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

19 year old playing for QCA Colts v Valleys at Ashgrove. Not sure how many I got, not a lot, but I do remember being nervous.

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

Left-handed top order batsman and medium-slow right-handed bowler

Queensland Under 16 team in 1982

What were your strengths as a player?

In my younger years I had a simple technique. Punchy.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

First Grade – 97 or 98 v Sandgate at Deagon. I did score some hundreds in Rockhampton senior cricket, the UK and Warehouse cricket a few years later after I had ‘retired’. Not sure exactly of the score though.

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

East Torrens v Salisbury at home. Only got 1 wicket in first grade. Darren Lehmann -caught on the boundary for around 150!! I think it was his first year in first grade. He smashed us. Not sure of the figures though. 1 for plenty!

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

• Ezra Moseley – fast and fast
• Joel Garner – Big and legendary
• Carl Rackemann – always hit the length and seam

Ezra Moseley

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

All Leggies

• Trevor Hohns – super accrurate
• Adrian Tucker – what a competitor. Angry.
• Abdul Qadir – could spin subtly each way. Quick too.

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

• Peter Clifford - I’ll never forget his 280 plus at Toombul
• Darren Lehmann – even as a kid had the ability to hit it everywhere
• Allan Border – Legend. Tough.

Peter Clifford

Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Very close between Peter Clifford and Darren Lehmann. Probably Peter’s. Just played with us.

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

Probably my brother Paul. He knew my game backwards from all those backyard games.

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 and you really had to knuckle down to survive? 

In 1987 as a 19 year old facing Ezra Moseley in the UK. I didn’t know who he was at the time, but he was quick and we didn’t use helmets. Boy you had to watch the ball. A couple of years later he broke Goochies hand!

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

Peter Anderson (sorry Chuck and Drinno)

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

Scott Prestwidge had so much skill. Bat Ball and fielding. He was outstanding. Loved a bit of biff as well!!

Loved having Craig Jesberg in the team as well. All round skill and always up for a fight! Loved the dogs at the Gabba on a Thursday night!

Scott Prestwidge surrounded by his QLD team mates after taking a wicket

Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with? And if you could add a few words to why

I always thought Peter Charles (RIP) was a great captain. Broke tradition as a thinking fast (medium) bowler!!

Who has been your funniest team mate?

I loved Joe Scuderi’s straight humour, although many wouldn’t. Clearly Evan ‘Banger’ Bancroft the legendary Eastie has the most stories and keeps everyone in stitches. My boys loved his Viv story at the Gabba!

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

In hindsight, probably some of the banter in Rockhampton A grade as a 16 year old makes me giggle. Country folk let you know where you should be playing.

Queensland Colts team - 1985

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

Caught on the boundary on 98 in the Under 19s Australia v India going for my 100. Idiot and embarrassing.

Who was your childhood hero?

Allan Border, Dennis Lillee and Viv Richards

Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?

Roger Federer, Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Skull closely followed by Evan ‘Banger’ Bancroft

What was your favourite ground to play at?

Gabba – back in the old QCA Colts days, it used to be our home ground.

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

NSW – just loved the competition. Scotty Prestwidge and his mates.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

On the field – 128 for Australia Under 19s in my first ‘test’ in India in ’85. Off the field, meeting Bradman in ’88

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

Winning first grade premiership with my brother in 1989/90 with ESDCC (Easties)

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

Outside of my brothers, Paul Carew, Allan Langer and Evan Bancroft

What are your hobbies?

Golf, gardening and driving my kids to sport. Love cruising but that is a distant memory!

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

The dressing room is that way, tell your story walking!

What is your occupation?

Management accountant for Australian Country Choice in Brisbane.

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

Coach my boy’s local club team – Holland Park Junior Cricket Club. I drive my youngest lad to the Redlands a couple of times a week for cricket training. He’s a 14yo left-handed bat and bustling right hand quickish bowler. Older boy is 17yo left-handed bat and medium right-hand bowler. My daughter doesn’t play cricket. Netball only. Great kids.

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?

As a priority, I would have elite juniors playing grade cricket as much as possible with and against older, experienced players. This is where they will learn their trade.

In premier junior club competitions remove all the limitations on balls faced and balls bowled. Participation players can be left in lower-level competitions.