Kerry Penfold - respect
Campbelltown Camden District Cricket Club | April 03, 2023
Kerry Penfold was a talented left hand opening batsman who made his first grade debut for Campbelltown in 1990
Shane Lee on Kerry Penfold
Kerry did much more than just occupy the crease. He ended up scoring seven first grade hundreds, one against the great Glenn McGrath on a greenish wicket. His ability to pick up the length and play all around the ground was amazing. Also, his attitude was outstanding, never letting his handicap impede his belief or ability.
Let’s find out more about Kerry’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1970 at Kiama
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I was 7 in the under 10s for Oak Flats Rats and no (lol) I can’t remember.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Started my juniors with Oak Flats rats, then Rats seniors until I made the trip up to Campbelltown Ghosts in the Sydney grade.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
At The Ghosts, I played a couple of games in 2s then played 1s for the next 6 and a half. I was 19 at the time. Had a good job after doing the HSC and decided to make the move up to try my hand in the big league with Mr Shane Lee. We shared a bit of the travel and trained a lot together.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Opening left handed batsman, a fairly good arm back then and 1017 net wickets…
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
19 years old and I made 60 against Fairfield in 1990
Flats opening batsman Kerry Penfold proudly shows off the Noble Family Trophy for South Coast Cricket Association Player of the Year - the third time he has won the award. Picture: GEORGIA MATTS
You unfortunately lost your right eye in an accident when you were very young but still went on to play and succeed in first grade cricket in Sydney. As a left hander opening batsman can you share with us how you were able to give yourself the best chance of watching the ball and scoring runs?
I cut my eye with a knife when I was 3 years old and wasn’t until I was 12 that Professor Fred Hollows tried to fix my issue which didn’t work out and we had to remove the eye.
Not many people can say they had a little game of cricket with Fred in his office which was cut short as the main nurse was getting cranky with him lol.
In regards to cricket I didn’t really know what it’s like with 2 eyes so I just played and like the old cliché just kept my eye on the ball so to speak ha-ha.
I suppose I had a few floors, like every cricketer in and out of form etc, but I never really worried or expected anything in return and there were no major changes to any technique even though Barry Knight as our coach was around he didn’t mention anything to change. My eye had compensated and become stronger at the time and still goes well enough today and there is still many jokes and memories that remind us of those days.
What do you believe your strengths were as a batsman, your scoring range if you will?
I think I adapted to the speed of the wicket and bowler quickly and I tried to play how the team needed me or the partnership we needed to develop. Any top order bat does not like going out to face the music for the final 13 overs of a day after fielding in the heat all day, so it was survival mode or trying to get the team off to a good start in a first innings, regardless of putting yourself first.
I very much like hooking and cutting.
Kerry Penfold back playing for Oak Flat after returning from Campbelltown
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
Around 120 for Campbelltown and 200 no for Oak Flats
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
There are many fast bowlers, who on their day were awesome
Andrew Jones had pace, low arm action and you felt that if he bowled short it could hit you in the head if you were not switched on.
Phil Alley had pace, length and angle sorted especially to right handers.
Glenn McGrath and Wayne Holsworth say no more
Does Brett Lee, Chris Killen and Kenny McLeod on grassy training nets with new balls every Wednesday and Friday count Lol.
Phil Alley
Who has been the best three spinners you have played against?
Gavin Robertson had drift and spin
Greg Matthews he spun the ball a long way for an off spinner and plenty of experience.
Freddy Freedman brought different angles for batsman and spun it away from left handers
Who has been the best 3 batsmen you’ve played against?
Scott Hookey seem to always get runs against us and hit the ball everywhere without fail.
Adam Gilchrist typical Gilly what you see on Tv happened in grade.
Richard Chee Qee when he was on he was on.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Michael Bevan put 2 centuries in a row in 2 consecutive weeks without error to earn a shield spot. Awesome
Michael Bevan
Can you recall a moment where you thought ‘wow’ this is a step up from the norm in grade cricket and had to really knuckle down to get through the challenge, can you describe the experience?
When you played Bankstown back in the day with the quality of players they had (Cracker, Waugh’s, Small, Freddy, Emu, Thompson just to name a few), as a batsman I just wanted to spend time out in the middle and soak it all up.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Phil Emery
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Shane Lee and Michael Bevan
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Shane Lee could read the game and lead very very well.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Simon Bartlett
Who was your childhood hero?
Dennis Lillee or the partnership of Greenidge and Haynes.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Michael Jordon, Pele’, Usain Bolt
Michael Jordan
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Skull (Kerry O’Keeffe)
What was your favourite ground to play at?
North Sydney Oval
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Manly, most of the team would always stay there after the game with some very funny stories.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
Definitely the mates you make along the way regardless of the standard you play.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
My first hundred in 1st grade at Sutherland on a bowler friendly deck against some high quality bowlers.
Also watching one of your best mates making his debut for Australia (Shane Lee)
Shane Lee playing for Australia
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Being the captain of Southern Zone vs Newcastle in the Country Cup final at Bradman oval, they needed 50 odd with 7 wickets in hand at the break, changed things up and brought on a spinner with us knocking them off by 9 runs to meet Eastern Suburbs CC (City vs Country) at the SCG.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Shane and Brett Lee and Kenny McLeod
What are your hobbies?
Super coach :)
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Respect everyone
What is your current occupation?
Supervisor of a Waste Depot
Let’s give your employer a plug, who do you work for?
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Club Coach Oak Flats Cricket Club
If you were running Cricket NSW what would your 2 priorities be to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
1. The top 2 wicket takers and run scorers/averages get contracts for NSW, within reason.
2. Include Strong Country Cricket areas into grade slowly, start at grass roots level, like Newcastle to start with, then move to other areas close to Sydney to space out clubs.
