Perry Stahmer - back your instincts
Sandgate-Redcliffe Cricket Club | February 26, 2023
Perry Stahmer is Sandgate Redcliffe first grade player number 177 after making his first grade debut during the 1990/91 season.
His debut followed a premiership winning season in 1989/90 when Perry was the skipper of Sandgate Redcliffe under 18 team that defeated easts in the grand final.
Perry played for Sandgate Redcliffe, Sunshine Coast Scorchers in Queensland Premier Cricket as well as Campbelltown Camden and manly Warringah in NSW Premier Cricket in Sydney. He is now back at the Gators playing over 40s cricket
Let’s find out more about Perry’s journey in the game
Sandgate Redcliffe Over 40s premiers in 2020/21 - Perry front row - 3rd in from the left
What year you were born?
1972
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
My first game was Under 12’s for Pine Rivers Cricket Club. I didn’t do well, I think I may have got 3-4. Still remember getting run out for 97 during the season. We were a bunch of school mates who decided to play cricket, we ended up winning the premiership.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I played mostly tennis as kid, I retired from cricket at 12 and played a bit of indoor as most people in the 1980’s did. I didn’t play outdoor again until grade 11 school cricket. Our school team came 2nd in Queensland being beaten by Toowoomba Grammar. This gave me the passion to follow a few school mates to Sandgate when I was 17 to play under 18’s.
Jim Boardman was a big help to me and in my 2nd season I was named U18’s captain.
I played grade cricket for Sandgate for a few years before moving to the Sunshine Coast Scorchers to be part of their inaugural first team.
Work commitments then required me to move around, playing a season in Darwin for Southern Districts, before moving down and settling into Sydney grade cricket playing several seasons for Campbelltown Camden Ghosts and a season for Manly.
Perry was captain of Sandgate Redcliffe Under 18 premiership winning team 1989/90
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I was fortunate to go straight from under age cricket to 2nd grade at 18 years old. 6 weeks before the start of my grade cricket debut season I was in a car accident, broke 2 ribs, collar bone, AC joint, rotator cuff ruptured but still managed to start the season and I batted 6. For memory I think I got 15-20.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I made my first grade debut for Sandgate at the age of 19, I batted 6 or 7, (behind Brendon Creevey) I got 2 no, batted the last few overs at the end of the first day.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Top order batsmen who didn’t mind the ball hitting me if it meant keeping my wicket intact, could bowl handy mediums in the right conditions, liked to have a chat with the opposition. I loved the game and could compete well even with the 1st class bowlers coming back to grade but with having my own business it took a toll with not being able to train as much as I did in the early years.
What were your strengths as a player?
As a batsmen being able to adapt to the position of the game, I could dig in if needed or up the ante if we needed some quick runs. I was big on backing my bowlers up with my slips catching and fielding. As a Captain being able to read the game and being ahead of oppositions thoughts.
Perry batting for Campbelltown- Camden in Sydney
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
182 in grade cricket for Sandgate Redcliffe CC v Valleys chasing 424 for a win and we got them (thanks Gavin Brown for dropping me in the 70’s)
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I can’t remember specific figures, I bowled quite a bit early on however nothing to write home about, 4 wickets in 2nd grade and 3 wicket in first grade.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
My first game in Sydney I played Brett Lee a couple months prior to his Test debut. At the time I had no idea who he was, I certainly did after that game.
Greg Rowell - his height and speed made things very difficult.
Stuart Clark his pace and accuracy made it tough to score.
I have to mention Scott Prestwidge. When I was 19 and batting number 3 I went out to bat with only a cap on and I did not see the first ball as it cannoned into my ribs. His slinging action was hard to pick up and he was fast on his day.
Greg Rowell
Who were the best two spinners you have played against?
Ian Salisbury from UNSW in Sydney (spun it both ways and I couldn’t pick him at all)
Stuart MacGill - spun it a long long way especially on a dusty grade wicket.
Anthony Kershler was a tough competitor – he didn’t spin as much as others but his strength was drift and not many freebies.
Anthony Kershler
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Matt Hayden is a stand out as he got hundreds for fun against us.
Matthew Phelps had all the shots and once he was in, good luck.
Brad Haddin was the cleanest hitter I’ve seen just behind Hayden, could pull a ball off a good length.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Matthew Phelps and I opened the batting and we were chasing 226 to win. I and sundries probably scored 50 and Phelps got the rest in about 30 overs
Matthew Phelps
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always you to cause you a few problems?
I remember facing Phil Alley. It wasn’t his pace but being close to 7 foot tall and off a good length he always seemed to be at your ribs and give you no room to play any shot.
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?
No not really. I loved the challenge of the new ball and attempting to get on top of the bowlers but I do remember facing Wayne Holdsworth for the first time thinking how good is this. I watched this guy growing up tear batting line ups apart and now he is running in at me.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Shawn Bradstreet hands down was the most competitive and game ready player I have played with, he treated every game like it was a state of origin battle.
Mark Cameron same as above, as an opening bowler his last over would be faster than his first.
Shawn Bradstreet
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Jamie Sullivan “Sully” - Manly Warringah Cricket Club. He would have the whole team in stitches with his impersonations, jokes etc. Always lead the team song and last to leave.
Jamie Sullian (front) with Perry Stahmer
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
I was new to Sydney Cricket and had no idea who was who. I was bowling to this guy who was batting 8 and I was bouncing him, giving him a lot of friendly advice. We ended up bowling them out and we had 7 overs to survive the days play.
It turned out the batsman was Don Nash who was opening bowling for NSW. I was batting 3 and our opener got out 2nd ball. As I’m walking out I could see the whole opposition team develop a circle where I was to take guard and one of them said is this the guy?
Nash said yep “that’s him” and his head was about to come off. Yes I did get hit in the head, and thankfully survived the days play.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
This is easy, I got hit on the pad by the Northern Districts opening bowler, the keeper catches it and they all go up for LBW appeal. I stand there front leg crossed over my back leg leaning on my bat as I know it was too high and I didn’t hit and the umpire say not out.
Mark Higgs is at short cover and he and I were are having a polite conversation, without my knowledge the keeper is running up to take the bails off, I couldn’t believe it, I’m standing out of my crease.
Stumped off the opening bowler. Walking off to opposition remarks where “oops” was the comment I can mention.
Who was your childhood hero?
Steve Waugh, I loved his determination, toughness and the value he put on his wicket.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Rafael Nadal - love his toughness and never say die attitude
Floyd “Money” Mayweather - imagine hanging around him for a weekend. I liked his training and work ethic
Andre Agassi despite injuries he keep improving and won the crowd over in many countries.
Rafael Nadal
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Growing up was Bill Lawry but now I like Mark Howard
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Manly Oval or Coogee Oval at Randwick
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Apart from a few premierships and friendships made along the way, bringing up my first grade 100 as first grade captain with a boundary off the spin bowling of Michael Clarke who’d been at me all day as well as after the game.
Another that one sticks out is being voted by the umpires as the 4th best Sydney first grade Captain, despite our team coming 17th out of 20 teams and missing a couple of matches.
Perry as captain of Campbelltown-Camden
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Sunshine Coast Scorchers Coca Cola one day cup win. We played against a full strength Queensland University team including Kasprowicz, Love, Shackle, Seccombe, Jackson, Foley, Boardman etc.
We batted first and got 140 odd and Uni were coasting however with a steady stream of wickets they needed 5 runs of the last over and we needed one wicket. The captain calls me up to bowl the last over and I hadn’t bowled all game, no pressure. History shows we won by one run…what a win and an even better bus trip back to the coast.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Jamie Sullivan as previous mentioned, Shaun Savage for his dry sense of humour and drinking ability, Mitchell Clayton as he would organise some party antics
What are your hobbies?
Still play tennis every week, taxi to kids sport and go out on our jet ski (crabbing and tubing) whenever we get a chance
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
There is a few. Batting with Michael Bevan - he told me to “keep the good ball out and punish the bad ball into the gaps” … thats always stuck with me. I thought it was more complicated game than that. Not for him, he made it look so easy.
Balance is power and don’t prejudge, let your instincts take over.
What is your occupation?
I have my own business called Starcorp Energy. We are a licensed electricity retailer providing low cost electricity for residents in multiple meter sites like Units, Townhouses and Retirement villages.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Yes a lot with my sons who have started playing for Sandgate Redcliffe CC and I’m playing in the Veterans O50’s comp which I’m really enjoying.
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?
I’m not sure as I’ve only recently become involved again but from what I’ve seen it starts at the clubs and the clubs don’t seem to be run like they used to be.
To develop tough cricketers get the in-house of club cricket right. Pick people based on runs scored not who they know or their expectations.
