Andrew Grant - value your wicket
Prahran Cricket Club | February 15, 2023
Andrew Grant made his first grade debut for Prahran Cricket Club during the 1981/82 season and played 209 first grade games for the club scoring 6,959 runs at an average of 36.43 including 11 centuries and 38 half centuries.
Andrew remains the third highest all-time first grade run scorer for Prahran.
In 1996/97 Andrew played for St Kilda Cricket Club for two seasons scoring 1,006 at an average of 40.24 and hit 8 half centuries.
All up in Premier Cricket in Victoria Andrew Grant played 238 games and scored 7,965 runs at 36.87 with 11 centuries and 46 half centuries.
He’s a member of the Cricket Victoria 200 Club and a very proud Life Member and Hall of Fame Member of Prahran Cricket Club.
Let’s find out more about Andrew’s journey in the game
22 July 2012 - True Blues legends David Jukes & Ian Crawford with new life members Andrew Grant, Neil Schlittler along with new Prahran President David Jones
What year you were born?
1965
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Brighton Union Under 14’s and I was 8. Didn’t bat or bowl but made the cordial for a few of the players
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I played all my junior cricket with Brighton Union in the CMCA on the mats. Played for Moorabbin in the Hatch Shield then went to Prahran Cricket Club Dowling Shield, then to Prahran Cricket Club seniors from 1982-96. I played 2 years for St.Kilda CC for 2 years then to Brighton CC in the subbies for a year, back to Brighton Union for 2 years and currently play with Hampton United in SECA competition. No wonder the game is starting to wear thin on me.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
17 for Prahran 2nd grade.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I was 17 for Prahran firsts. We played Footscray who had a lunatic called Len Balcalm as well as players like Merv Hughes and Ray Bright…it was a one day game and we were 5-50 chasing 130…I made 28 and had a partnership with Brad “Booza” Green to win the game.
It was quite a change to go from playing against the privileged from schools like Melbourne Grammar to having Len Balcalm telling me he was going to kill me.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Batsmen, shit slip fieldsman…although I did try to become an all-rounder with off spin but bowling to Jamie Siddons one day put an end to that.
What were your strengths as a player?
High value on my wicket and reasonable off my legs
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
149 for Prahran v Waverley and also the same score against Ringwood
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Believe it or not 4 for 7 in a Grand Final a couple of years ago for Hampton United
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Richard McCarthy- pace and movement and was always at you
David Saker-competitive and always at you
Shaun Graf - best out swinger of anyone I played against
David Saker
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Peter King- quick through the air but still spun it
Leigh Baker - guile and change of pace
Steve Milosz - great leg spinner-amazing he could get onto the field considering what he did to himself off the field
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Warren Ayres - we could never get him out and was strong in every area
Jamie Siddons - could destroy any bowler at any time
Gary Watts - gutsy and skilful
Jamie Siddons
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Aravinda De Silva played for Prahran for a year and I could list at least 5 innings that would be on my list but his 220 against a very good Ringwood attack off 150 balls is hard to beat.
He also played a game against Richmond who had Reiffel, Saker, Wrigglesworth etc and he made 84 off around 60 balls and his first two scoring shots were a 6 and a 4 over point off Paul Reiffel. It was a 2 day game but he thought it was a 1 dayer!
Aravinda de Silva
Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason seemed to always cause you a few problems?
Polly Sleeman from Collingwood which is very difficult to admit to
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?
1984 semi-final Prahran vs Carlton, it was dark, no sight screens, wicket was green and Rodney Hogg was bowling quicker than anything I had ever faced. Dean Jones was playing for Carlton and he had just arrived back from the West Indies tour of 1984 and he said Hogg that day was quicker than any of the West Indies bowlers that he had faced! First and only time on the cricket field I feared for my life. I and Mike “Monkey” Ephraims saw him off but the inevitable happened….had a sigh of relief after he went off and got out straight away.
Andrew Grant ducking a Rodney Hogg bouncer in the semi final against Carlton
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Darren Berry
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Tony Dodemaide and David Saker
Tony Dodemaide
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Peter Grant - led by example
Who has been your funniest team mate?
The late Andrew Scott
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
At drinks St Kilda v Prahran, Andrew Scott put chewing gum in Warren Whiteside’s helmet whilst it was on the ground…the game got delayed after he put his helmet back on and he realised all his hair had stuck together as well as sticking to the helmet…..he had to get a piece of his hair cut out and he blamed it on his team mate Jason Jacoby.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
On 99 I tried to hit a 6 for the hundred and it went straight up in the air. Only hit one 6 in my life so I don’t know why I tried it on 99
Who was your childhood hero?
Greg Chappell
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Usain Bolt, Mannie Pacqiou, Roger Federer
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Shane Warne
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Victoria Park
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Fitzroy Doncaster as I never made any runs against them so I knew it would be a restful weekend
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
1983 flag for Prahran, VIC Under 16 and Under 19 championship wins
Victorian Under 19s cricket team 1983/84
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
One day game, Prahran against Melbourne at the Albert Ground…they had all their guns including Dean Jones, Darrin Ramshaw, Warren Ayres, Simon Cook etc and we had a young side and we managed to sneak in for a win. Was great to see Jan Pucovski do a lap of the Albert Ground after he had caught and bowled Dean Jones.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
The late Andrew Scott, Peter Grant, Peter King
What are your hobbies?
Coaching women’s AFL, golf,
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Don’t argue with idiots as soon people won’t be able to tell the difference
What is your occupation?
Sales Manager Techtronic Industries Australia
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Still play in SECA competition for Hampton United CC
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?
1. Open communication
2. Limit number of ex-players in off field positions
