Neil Schlittler - true blue
Prahran Cricket Club | February 23, 2023
Neil Schlittler made his first grade debut for Prahran Cricket Club during the 1997/98 season and played 233 first grade games for the club.
At the time of publication Neil is the 4th highest first grade run scorer in the clubs history having scored 6,460 runs at an average of 27.84. His highest score was 178 and he hit 9 centuries and 34 half centuries. He also took 47 wickets with best figures of 3 for 16 and took 91 catches.
Neil was Prahran first grade captain in 58 games and he’s a two time winner of the Dav Whatmore Award for the Champion 1st XI Player of the Year.
In 2015 Neil Schlittler was inducted into the Prahran Cricket Club’s Hall of Fame.
Let’s find out more about Neil’s journey in the game
What year were you born?
1977 – one month before the Australia v England Centenary Test
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
I was 6 in my older brother’s team. No idea how it went but I remember wearing buckle pads and helmet with a perspex face
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I had 10 years in the juniors at Surrey Hills, Hatch at Camberwell, Dowling at Prahran and seniors at Prahran from there. I had 2 years in Wales and 1 year in Denmark. Finished with a year in the subbies at Ormond with some mates.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grad cricket?
1993 at Como Park for the Prahran 3rds.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I was 20. Late bloomer. We played Dandenong. Ian Harvey bowled me 3 different slower bowls. I missed the first 2 and lobbed the 3rd to mid-off.
He then hit me for 6 over the gum trees at Shepley to finish the game. He didn't wear a hat and walked off before the ball had landed.
Neil Schlittler
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I would describe myself as an all-rounder. No one else would. Middle order slogger and white ball opener. My technique could only be described as self-taught. I think my team mates enjoyed my company but I make no apologies for the opposition hating me. We were a small club fighting to be competitive for the first half of my career.
What were your strengths as a player?
I hit the ball pretty hard. Not really into running between wickets so it worked out well.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
178 in first grade premier cricket and 310 in club cricket in UK and I made the same page as Paul Gascoigne in The Sun. Life Highlight
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Nothing spectacular. Got a few good players on my list though. Carl Hooper - caught on the longest boundary in Melbourne. Glenn Maxwell stumped off a wide and Alex Keath played for turn and I tore my calf celebrating. Missed 4 weeks but it was worth it.
Neil Schlittler bowling
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Alan Wise from Richmond. Not many fast bowlers are clever but Big Al was and he didn’t give me any width. I usually got bored first.
Adrian Jones - pitched off, hit middle. I did well if I got through an entire over against him. Surprisingly good bloke considering he played for St Kilda.
Shane Harwood - Melbourne. If I ever thought I was a chance playing the next level Shane gave me a reality check. Didn't like coppers and found a yard. I didn't walk once when I was caught behind off the glove/helmet. In hindsight it was a poor life decision.
Alan Wise
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Spinners are just blokes who can’t do much else at cricket. I didn’t have much success against Jeremy Hart, Nath Allen or Danny O’Shea. All too good for me.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Simon Hill - Camberwell. A beautiful player and held his team together for a decade.
Craig Berger - Essendon. Nice bloke, but from a different planet. Couldn't set fields to him.
Nathan Pilon - A better version of me. Big Bum and hits em hard.
Simon Hill
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Steve De Bolfo - One Day Semi for Prahran v Geelong. He got 95 not out and won us the game. Jake Reed was bowling heat and played him easily.
Was there any batsman in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted their wicket?
Andrew Kent - Melbourne. Great player and good bloke. I think I was jealous of his team and individual success. I said some terrible things to him. Sorry Andrew.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Sam Coates. Great hands, acrobatic, competitive and a little turd. Just what you want in a keeper and he made Bryce McGain look good for a decade.
Sam Coates
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Jon Moss was the most talented by a mile. He would have succeeded at any sport
David Hussey knew what was happening before the bowl was bowled. Some guys think they are unlucky not to get a chance at the next level, but when you see a player like him you realize what the gap is.
Jon Moss
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Julien Weiner in the Prahran 2s. Competitive, measured and made blokes walk a foot taller. He was the ultimate finishing school. Still is.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Hugh van Cylenberg. I told him all my jokes. He turned them into a one man stage show. Still waiting for the credit.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
In my second ever game I played against the legendary Garry and Lee Watts. I came out to bat and took centre. Lee yelled out in his high pitched voice at mid-on to Garry at first slip.
“Hey Garry, we have been playing Grade cricket for 25 years and I have never seen a fatter arse than this”. Having 11 blokes laugh whilst starring at your bum isn’t something I wish on anyone. Didn't last long that day. Mentally beaten.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
Shane Harwood was dropped by Victoria and we had to play him in a mid-week T20. He was angry. He clean bowled me off a no ball. I was genuinely disappointed I had to face another ball and risk my life again. Next ball 4 leg byes off my shoulder and the one after that I knicked off. He was too angry to celebrate. His team mates seemed relieved I wasn’t killed.
Who was your childhood hero?
Allan Border. I modelled my Captain grumpy persona on him.
Prahran Cricket Club first grade team honour Neil Schlittler in his 230 first grade game for the club
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Toorak Park 2 at Geelong. So many choices of take away for the drive home up the highway.
Was there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Dandenong. I learned a lot of new words against them and sometimes got some runs. Good blue collar boys.
What did you enjoy most about playing cricket?
Talking rubbish with your mates. After I retired I would go back and sit with the players for a few hours just to get a fix.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
I played in a One Day flag and a T20 flag for Prahran which were great team moments.
Individually, I made 100 off 30 balls at Northcote one afternoon and got interviewed by Finey on SEN so it must have been a big deal……...
Neil Schlittler, Bryce McGain, Chris Rogers, David Hussey - Prahran Hall of Fame 2015 Inductees
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
T20 game against St Kilda. We needed 4 off the last over and Michael Rosendale was batting with his rolled up newspaper. He missed 5 balls in a row and then nicked one through slip for four off the last ball just beating the fielder. It was terrible, hilarious and wonderful all at the same time.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Steve Seymour, Adam Bull and Steve de Bolfo. Those 3 are joined at the hip. Seymour owes me slab because Melbourne finished on top of the Hawks this year. Most importantly my wife thinks they are nice boys.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Jurgen Klopp even though I hate Liverpool I think he is awesome.
Mike Hussey - just so I could understand why everyone says he is a better bloke than David.
Ben Graham - NFL punter
Jurgen Klopp
What are your hobbies?
I took up cycling after I retired from cricket. Some mates had to have some difficult and honest conversations about me wearing lycra.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Bryce McGain taught me that talc should be the first thing you pack in your kit bag
What is your current occupation?
I have worked for Victoria Police for nearly 20 years. Shift work and grade cricket is not a good combination. I do enjoy meeting Premier cricketers whilst I am at work. I won’t name names.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
My boys are playing juniors at Ormond CC. I try and get down to watch Prahran most weeks. I can’t let go.
If you were running Cricket Vic what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
I would love Victoria to give more Victorians a chance before they go shopping interstate
I don't like seeing good premier cricketers in their mid-20s leave and take the cash in the suburbs. Not sure how to fix it, but I would like to see the best players in the state playing Premier Cricket.
