Allen Turrell - just loved wicket-keeping
Parramatta District Cricket Club | February 09, 2023
Allen Turrell made his first grade debut for Cumberland, now Parramatta at the age of 18 in 1973. Guess who was at first slip when he took up his position behind the stumps?
All up Allen took 633 dismissals across the Grades at Parramatta, 340 in First Grade including 280 catches and 60 stumping’s.
Let’s find out more about Allen’s journey in the game that’s been ongoing for 58 years.
What year you were born?
1954
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
It would have been in the 1962-63 season when I was 8 years old, playing with my older brother in the Under 10’s. No idea what happened but it obviously wasn’t memorable.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
A bit boring really, only ever played for two clubs, Wentworthville Waratahs as a junior and grade with Central Cumberland/Parramatta.
What other sports do you play?
I played rugby league for a few years then changed to baseball at about 15 and enjoyed it into my 50’s. Since retirement I have been playing golf more regularly and love it.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
Next question? Got a number of half centuries in First Grade but I was lucky to play in an era where your wicket-keeping ability was valued more than your batting ability. Fortunately for the game that bias changed a long time ago.
Who were the best fast bowlers you have played against?
Len Pascoe, Geoff Lawson, Dave Gilbert, Steve Bernard, Wayne Daniel were all very fine fast bowlers and there were plenty more, particularly in the 70’s. By far the fastest bowling I ever faced was Evan Gordon playing for Randwick at Coogee Oval in 1981. A green wicket and southerly wind helped but it was seriously scary. I remember being at the non-striker’s end and I heard the ball flick John Benaud’s ear and half volley into the sight screen. I think it was Peter Clifford, who was at short leg, in his article mentioning that JB said to him ‘I’m too old for this shit’.
Who were the best spinners you have played against?
Someone who has been mentioned a number of times is David Hourn and I’d have to agree. As a keeper I thought I could read spinners reasonably well, but I can recall facing a whole over off him at Waverley Oval and had no idea which way any of ‘em were going. Would have loved to see him play Test cricket, not only because he deserved to but also to see how the world’s best batters would have handled him.
I also rated Murray Bennett and Mike Pawley highly, not big turners but great control of their variations and drift.
Who has been the best 3 batsmen you’ve played against?
I was lucky to play in an era when State and Test players were often available for grade cricket. If I had to pick three it would be Bob Simpson, Brian Booth and Mark Waugh.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
In 1987 a couple of First Grade rounds were played with an experimental orange ball. It moved around a fair bit even as it got older and had a very small seam so I thought it wasn’t easy to bat against. Nobody told Mark Waugh that, he smashed us for a century in a session with shots everywhere. Brilliant innings to watch from behind the stumps.
I was fortunate to make my First Grade debut and play many matches with my childhood hero, Doug Walters. Got to see him play some amazing innings under all conditions. At times we’d all be struggling and at the other end he made it look like a picnic match. A career highlight having the privilege of playing with him.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Steve Rixon, brilliant keeper. The thing that impressed me most was even as a young keeper when he first came to Sydney his ability up to the stumps set him apart. I also highly regarded Greg Dyer (Sydney/Wests) and Les Andrews who played for Bankstown and Penrith.
Who was the fastest bowler you kept to?
Easy one. Jonathan Agnew, the BBC commentator, played for Cumberland in 1982-83. He took an all bowled hat-trick against North Sydney, knocking over three state players, Jeffrey, Spring and Chapman with good length out swingers. He played three tests for England but from memory sprayed them a bit and didn’t get another opportunity.
Who were the best spinners you kept to?
Both off-spinners, Bob Aitken (RA) and Greg Matthews. Both tough, determined, in-your-face competitors (and a bit crazy at times). RA took 816 First Grade wickets at 23.2 and while he gave me many filthy stares at my lapses, in the long run he made me a much more determined and resilient cricketer and person. Greg probably didn’t have the variations that RA possessed, but he succeeded at every level by sheer determination and imposing himself on the batsman. Never a dull moment with Greg around!
What was your favourite stumping?
More memorable to me, I always enjoy (now, not at the time) reflecting on my favourite missed stumping’s, those of two Test captains, Bob Simpson and Mike Gatting, both off RA as well. No wonder I got so many death stares! They both got big hundreds to make it worse. I reckon I was too busy focusing on their brilliant batting than doing the only thing I had to do, watch the bloody ball!
Who were your top 2 bowlers you enjoyed keeping to?
Again it would be RA because he had so much variety for an off-spinner and worked so hard to get his wickets. I enjoyed his individual battle with each batsman and the chat. Bob Aitken versus Brian Riley was pure theatre every time.
The other would be Ken Gentles, a left arm wrist spinner who had a massive wrong ‘un. There was always something happening when he was bowling, sometimes lots of runs, but he always backed himself to beat the outside edge. He was a funny bloke and great team mate. He often upset the batter as he had this habit of yelling out to me ‘get em off’ before the ball had even beat the bat!
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
I really enjoyed playing under Bob Anderson and Ross Shepherd as a young player and at First Grade level both John Benaud and the Englishman, Chris Cowdrey, were outstanding leaders. Chris also went on to captain England during his brief test career.
Who was your funniest team mate?
As a up and coming player in Second Grade I had a couple of really enjoyable seasons playing with guys such as Bob Anderson, Rex Flindt, who had been a First Grader for many years and was one of the most stylish batsmen I have seen and Mick Inwood. They were funny guys and were great for team spirit.
Who was your childhood hero?
Never been much of a hero worshipper but when I was around 12 years old and a bit older I would often go to Cumberland First Grade matches and was in awe of the power hitting of Doug Walters and John Benaud. They instilled in me the desire to play grade cricket but never once did I believe I would get to play with these legends.
Although I didn’t get to see him play much, Gary Sobers was another I admired. It was amazing when he turned up to coach at Parra in 1985-86, albeit his appearances were brief if there was a race meeting on or golf course nearby.
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Alan McGilvray.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
I was selected for a few Cricket Association matches at the SCG which were highlights. Old King’s Oval has always been a special place for me after so many years playing and coaching there. It’s such a peaceful environment for cricket.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
You would never find two more competitive blokes on and off the field than the Aitken brothers, John and Bob. They were relentless trainers and taught me a lot about the effort you needed to put in to get the most out of your ability. You only have to look at the wonderful careers that Rob, James and Glenn have had to understand their influence.
Bob Aitken bowling
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
The competitiveness, the satisfaction from putting in a good performance, but most of all I just loved wicket-keeping. I would have been more than happy to field every week of the year.
What has been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Definitely making my First Grade debut in November 1973. It was a Round 2 Rothmans (am I allowed to say that these days) Cup one day game against Nepean at Old Kings. This was a newly introduced knock-out competition of 35 overs per side. I was 18 and remember taking up my position and looked across to see Doug Walters next to me at first slip. I thought what the hell am I doing here! Special moment.
Looking back later I realised how lucky I was not to be selected to make my debut in Round 1 as it was against Bankstown, who had Jeff Thomson and Len Pascoe opening the bowling. Could have been my first and last match! Our opening bat, Bruce Neill, who later played in Tasmania’s first Sheffield Shield side, made a brilliant hundred against them.
A fantastic old Sydney Grade Cricket Club match clipping
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Without a doubt the Parramatta First Grade premiership in 2017-2018. It was our first since 1964-65 when the team included the Benaud brothers, the Aitken brothers and a young Doug Walters.
Apart from a club perspective as one of the coaches, it was a special moment as my son, Adam, was a part of the team and played a pivotal innings of 55 when the game was evenly balanced. To see your child involved in something like that far exceeds any joy you had yourself as a player.
What are your hobbies?
Enjoying life with my partner and my amazing canine companion, Archie. He loves a day at the cricket. Cricket coaching and watching, following the poor old Wests Tigers, playing golf, travel , live sport, live music, kids, grandkids. There are many wonderful things to enjoy in life. I’ve been retired for 6 years and have plenty to keep me busy.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Not really cricket related but ‘It’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice’.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Happily yes. I have been pretty much involved every year since the start in 1962 either playing or coaching. I played grade cricket until I was about 40 then moved into coaching.
I was Coach or Manager of the NSW Under 17’s for many years alongside some quality people such as Graham Errington, my great mate who we sadly lost Rocky Harris, David Patterson and Bill Johnson.
I also coached for over 20 years with Bill Madden, another champion bloke and great coach.
Currently still coaching batting and wicket-keeping at Parramatta
