Andrew Dykes - when you make a start, go on with it
Clarence District Cricket Club | February 14, 2023
Andrew Dykes played 303 games for Clarence District Cricket Club after making his debut as a 17 year old at the start of the 1989/90 season.
In 272 innings for the club Andrew scored 9,793 runs at an average of 44.11 including 25 centuries and 48 half centuries. Andrew is the highest run scorer in the clubs history.
With the ball Andrew took 238 wickets at 23.47 and took 5 wickets in an innings on 7 occasions.
Andrew Dykes was selected in the Cricket Tasmania Premier Cricket team of the year in seasons 2003/04 and again in 2004/05.
He’s a multiple Clarence Cricket Club premiership winning player and was awarded Life Membership in 2001.
Andrew played 18 first class games for Tasmania. He scored 811 runs at an average of 27.96 and hit 2 centuries and one fifty. He also played 17 one days games for Tasmania
In 2015/16 Andrew Dykes was inducted into the Cricket Tasmania Premier League Hall of Fame
Let’s find out more about Andrew’s journey in the game
What year were you born?
1971
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I can’t remember the exact game, but my first cricket experience was with the Frederick Henry Bay Swans which was a grade 5/6 team from Lauderdale Primary School (who produced Matthew Wade and Tim Paine) playing in a weeknight twilight competition.
The competition rules rewarded batting pairs who didn’t lose any wickets by increasing their runs scored in a 4 over partnership by 50%. This is probably where I first learnt the valuable lesson of valuing my wicket.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
My cricket journey started with Frederick Henry Bay Swans before moving to high school cricket with Rokeby High. Whilst at High School I also had the great opportunity to play senior cricket with my father, Jim, for the South Arm Cricket Club. Having the opportunity to play with my dad is something I cherish and look back on fondly.
Following High School, I joined the Clarence District Cricket Club as 15-year-old starting in 3rd grade. I spent 2 seasons playing mainly 2nd grade cricket with Clarence before debuting in 1st grade as 17-year-old in 1989. I retired from Clarence and grade cricket some 30 years later at the end of the 2008/09 season.
I also played cricket in England for Walsden in the Central Lancashire League (1997) and Grange in the Scottish Premier League (1998).
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
Played my first-grade game in the 3s for Clarence vs North Hobart at Clarence High School (synthetic pitch) aged 15.
At what age did you make your first-grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed on debut?
I made my debut for Clarence in 1st grade as a seventeen-year-old in round one of the 1989/90 season versus Glenorchy at Clarence’s home ground, Bellerive Oval. I batted in the middle order and our side included some fantastic players such as Greg Shipperd, Ali de Winter, Bruce Patterson (Scottish International), Peter McPhee, Greg Campbell and Mark Colegrave just to name a few.
I recall being extremely nervous walking out to bat but thanks to some reassurance from my batting partner, Duncan Hurd, who calmed me down I managed to scrap my way to 20 although we fell 3 runs short of victory against a strong Glenorchy team.
2003/04 Clarence District Cricket Club premiership winning team
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
A top order batsman who enjoyed bowling medium pacers when the opportunity arose.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
For Clarence 1st grade, 189 vs North Hobart at Bellerive Oval, 1997/98 Grade Semi Final
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
For Clarence 1st grade, 7/55 vs North Hobart at TCA Ground, late 90s (I think)
You played 18 first class games for NSW, can you share with us how you found out you’d been selected to play for Tasmania, who did you play and what do you remember about your first-class debut?
My 1st class debut came in the 1998/99 season when I was a late call-up to replace an injured Rod Tucker for our match versus NSW at the SCG. I flew to Sydney on the morning of the match but then sat around for 2 days whilst the rain tumbled down. We got through 50 overs on day 3 but I didn’t bat or bowl. Day four was completely washed out in what was an uneventful debut match.
I can’t recall how I found out I was selected as I would have been at work at Westpac but I do recall having to share a room with our coach Greg Shipperd due to the team hotel being booked out. Another memory of the match was Mark Ridgway aqua-planning through the large puddles on the ground once the match was called off on day four.
How do you look back on your time in first class cricket?
Interesting question. Personally, I had my moments when playing for Tasmania as a team we struggled and I only got to experience the spoils of victory twice during my short career.
I made my debut in the four-day team when I was 27 and within 24 months my time had come and gone however, I relished the opportunity to represent Tasmania and enjoyed the experience whilst it lasted.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Allan Donald – cleaned me up at Bellerive Oval when we played South Africa in a 1992 World Cup warm match. Split my scrotum forcing me to retire hurt and on my return to the crease later in the innings he gave me a couple of short ones to deal with, of which one hit my left elbow as I ducked and it flew one bounce to the fielder at 3rd man.
Joe Dawes – lbw was never in play when facing big Joey, not sure I scored too many runs in front of the wicket when facing him much to the enjoyment of the keeper and slips cordon behind me. Had the opportunity to spend some time with Joe post career and you wouldn’t come across a more quietly spoken and humble man.
Gerard Denton – very slippery customer when playing against him in Grade cricket. A fast arm action which made the ball skid through and you always felt rushed when facing him. Thankfully he didn’t bowl too many bouncers and later in his grade career he joined Clarence and we shared a couple of Premierships together.
Allan Donald
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
At state level, Damien Martyn was a class above most others, effortless with his stroke play and made the game look easy. First saw him at National under 19 championships in 1989 and he was still dominating bowling attacks some 15+ years later.
At grade level, Todd Pinnington and Michael Di Venuto always played well against Clarence, often in big matches. Both were very strong square of the wicket and were always the prize wicket in the opposition line-up when we played against them.
Damien Martyn
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I witnessed quite a few good knocks at 1st class level, but for sheer entertainment and impact, Shannon Tubb’s innings of 342 for Clarence was breathtaking.
We were playing New Town in a 1st grade semi-final at Bellerive Oval and Tubby came to the crease with us 2 for 7 with both openers dismissed for ducks. Against an attack which included David Saker and Scott Kremerskothen, Tubby put on a partnership of 351 with Matthew Wade and completely dominated the New Town attack. An astonishing innings.
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
If you look at my 1st class bowling average, most of them!
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?
It was in a Sheffield Shield match versus New South Wales at the SCG facing the likes of Brett Lee, Don Nash, Stuart MacGill, Gavin Robertson and Shane Lee. In particular, Brett Lee was bowling thunderbolts and the ball was flying through to the keeper some 30 metres back. At the time Jamie Cox said to me ‘this is what Shield cricket is all about’ and you knew this was a big step up from grade cricket.
There was no respite, but I enjoyed the challenge and we enjoyed a rare win over the Blues at the SCG.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
The Clingeleffer brothers (Sean and Matthew) were outstanding glovemen. Sean played a lot for Tasmania whilst I had the privilege of playing many seasons of Grade cricket with his older brother, Matthew at Clarence.
Sean Clingeleffer
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Roger Woolley – Like all great players he made batting look easy and he was still a dominant player when he retired from 1st grade cricket at age 45.
Mark Colegrave – phenomenal bowler at 1st grade level. Dominated all teams he came up against with his crafty swing and seam bowling. Rarely taken down by an opposition batsman and was always in control of his craft.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Gordon Webster (Grange CC) – Webby was a selfless leader who was the glue which brought together a very talented team and guided us to the Scottish Premier League and Scottish Cup double in 1998.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Shannon Tubb – always had a (long) story for every occasion and some were even true!
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
Handled the ball vs. University in 1st grade cricket
Who was your childhood hero?
Rodney Hogg – the 1978/79 Ashes series when he dominated England caught my attention as a young, aspiring cricketer. He was scary bowler and served it up to the England batters even though Australia was on the end of few losses during that series.
Rodney Hogg
Who are the two sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – my sons are huge fans of both players and I’ll love to see them meet their heroes.
Lionel Messi
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
No one in particular, but I enjoy listening to the English commentators who call the action and don’t over commentate.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Always a privilege to play at Bellerive Oval (now Blundstone Arena) which was my home ground for Clarence and Tasmania. Many fond memories at the venue, both on and off the field.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Being part of the coaching group when Tasmania won the Sheffield Shield in 2007/08. As Assistant Coach under Tim Coyle, it was a privilege to work with a group of skilful, dedicated and passionate cricketers who scaled the Everest of Australian domestic cricket for the first time.
After a tense first three days of the match, thanks to 100s by Luke Butterworth and Sean Clingeleffer the team batted NSW out of the match on day four setting them a target of 571 on day five. With victory assured the final day of the match was a celebration for Tasmanian cricket as the Tigers roared to victory and with this it brought a sense of us finally arriving on Australian domestic cricket scene.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Winning 1st grade premierships with Clarence was always good fun and I was fortunate to play in five during my career. However, one stands out as being the best win I’ve been involved in.
It was the 1994/95 season and we were playing our arch-rivals North Hobart in the premiership decider at Bellerive Oval. It was a two-day final and North batted the whole first day and when stumps were drawn and the compulsory closure to their innings they had amassed 5/354 from 104 overs with Todd Pinnington and Mark Davis scoring 100s.
In any game of grade cricket chasing 355 to win off 96 overs was a tall order, however given our form with the bat leading into the Grand Final had been very ordinary, we were long odds to chase down the target. However, thanks to an outstanding innings of 162 by Roger Woolley we got there off the last ball of the match.
Needing 5 to win off the last over, it got down to the last ball of the match and with the scores tied we needed to win the match to claim the premiership due to finishing below North Hobart on the ladder. With Stuey Oliver on strike and veteran Michael Granger at the non-striker’s end the pair scampered through for a match-winning bye as Grange dived from halfway up the pitch to make his ground. An unbelievable finish to an unbelievable match and fair to say we celebrated this victory long and hard.
1994/95 Clarence District Cricket Club premiership winning team and their 25 year reunion
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Mark Colegrave – to set the agenda
Michael Granger – to bring the eski
Shannon Tubb – to be the entertainment
What are your hobbies?
Golf, repurposing used timber and chasing my two young sons around who are both very active and into numerous sports.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Roger Woolley – ‘A failure is not when you are dismissed cheaply, a failure is when you make a start and don’t go on’
What is your occupation?
I am Owner/Director of Oomph! Tasmanian Gourmet Coffee. My wife, Monique, and I bought the business from lifelong friend Roger Woolley and his partner Sue back in December 2020 and we roast and distribute our quality coffee to wholesale and retail customers across Tasmania and some parts of mainland Australia.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
I’ve done a little bit of coaching over the past few seasons at the Clarence Cricket Club, firstly with the senior women’s team and last season I worked with 3 young male batsmen throughout the season which was very enjoyable.
Last season I also coached my eldest son’s junior cricket team which was fun watching the players develop over the course of the season.
