Trent Johnston - train hard, play easy
Hawkesbury Cricket Club | July 08, 2024
Hawkesbury Cricket Club was very excited to recently announce Trent Johnston as the club's Director of Cricket and Head Coach.
Trent is a high performance coach and former international cricketer, and everyone at Hawkesbury is heading into the 2024–25 season with an extra spring in their step.
Trent Johnston played all his junior cricket in the Illawarra region before beginning his journey in NSW Premier Cricket with Campbelltown-Camden, North Sydney, and Mosman Cricket Clubs.
In 10 seasons of NSW Premier Cricket, Trent took 349 wickets at an average of 20.50, with the best figures of 6 for 17.
Trent made his first class debut for NSW against Tasmania in March 1999, when he opened the bowling with former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee. He played five first class games for NSW.
In the 1995 Australian off-season, Trent first ventured to Ireland to play cricket, and it would become quite the journey.
In 2004, Trent made his debut for Ireland against Surrey, and when Ireland played their first-ever one-day international against England in 2006, they appointed him captain.
Ireland made their World Cup debut in 2007 with Trent Johnston as captain. They surprised many in the cricketing world with a tie against Zimbabwe and defeated Pakistan when Trent hit the winning runs.
Trent Johnston played 67 one day internationals for Ireland taking 66 wickets. In 30 T20 internationals he took 32 wickets and in 33 first class games he took 103 wickets.
He also scored 6 half centuries in first class cricket.
After retiring as a player, Trent entered the coaching ranks. He coached in Ireland, was NSW coach for 3 seasons, and spent time coaching the Hong Kong national team.
It’s been quite the journey for Trent; let’s find out a little more.
RG McGees Richmond is a proud sponsor of the Hawkesbury Cricket Club
What year were you born?
1974
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
I was 7 years old, for Dapto CC and can’t remember the result.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I played 10 season for the Dapto Cricket Club in the Illawarra region just south of Sydney.
From Illawarra to NSW Premeir Cricket I played 2 seasons for Campbelltown Camden Cricket, 4 seasons for North Sydney and 4 seasons at Mosman Cricket Club.
I played for Hornsey CC in North London for a season and played 14 seasons in Ireland club cricket and 2 seasons for Craigengower CC in Hong Kong.
I played first class cricket for New South Wales and had the good fortune of playing international cricket for Ireland.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
Dapto CC – 15 years old
What was the highest grade you played, and can you remember how you performed in your first game at that level?
International cricket for Ireland vs Surrey CCC – 1 wicket and didn’t bat. We won too, which was nice.
Trent Johnston bowling for Ireland
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I was an opening bowler who could hold their own has a batter. I always wanted to win and would do whatever it took to achieve the best result for the team. I was always prepared to lose the game so we could have a chance to win it
What were your strengths as a player?
I had the ability to bowl outswing to right hand batter and I loved to hit the ball hard and over the boundary. I also always enjoyed fielding.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
150 plus for Railway Union CC in Ireland
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I took 9 wickets for Dapto against Berkerley, Only 10 players turned up on the day
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Glenn McGrath – repetative action and always delivered when Australia needed him too.
Lasith Malinga – could turn a game with 6 balls. I witnessed it first hand in the 2007 World Cup when he played South Africa
Dale Steyn – just loved watching him run in and bowl, super competitive from first to last ball
Glenn McGrath
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Shane Warne – The GOAT
Murali – stats tell you the story
Saeed Ajmal – I faced him a few times and had no idea what was going on…
Who were the best 3 batters you’ve played against?
Ricky Ponting – best I’ve seen play on their front and back foot
Brian Lara – best out of the Caribbean and proved that to every country around the world
Sachin Tendulkar – was at the top for decades and loved watching him play
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Kevin O’Brien – 50 ball 100 vs England at the 2011 World Cup.
Was there any bowler or batter in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Any Left Arm Spinner…..
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?
Never thought that in Grade cricket as I was always pretty comfortable. Playing International cricket, well that’s a different story.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Phil Emery and Niall O’Brien
Phil Emery
Who are the two players you admire most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Phil Marks – my North Sydney Captain – he was a huge influence in my career
John Mooney – tough as old boots and loved being in the trenches with him everytime I played for Ireland
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Phil Marks again. Great leader and amazing cricketing brain
Phil Marks
Who has been your funniest team mate?
David Langford-Smith
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Whenever David opened his mouth. He almost dislocated his knee celebrating taking a wicket in the 2007 World Cup vs Sri Lanka
Who was your childhood hero?
Desmond Haynes
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Shaq O’Neill, Michael Johnson, Kelly Slater
Shaq O'Neill
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Lords and Reed Park
What particular team did you especially look forward to playing against?
Loved playing against Afghanistan when I played fior Ireland, those games were tough…
Also playing England and Scotland
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Beating Pakistan and Bangladesh in the 2007 World Cup and winning the European title in 2010 with half our regular team missing
Trent Johnston hits the winning runs for Ireland against Pakistan
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Beating England at the 2011 World Cup and defeated Kenya in ICC inter continental trophy in 2005
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
I’ve got 6 if that’s ok ..Wayne Walters, Jeremy Bray, David Langford-Smith, Paul Mooney, John Mooney and Peter Gillespie
What are your hobbies?
Golf and doing the running leg of a triathlon with my brother-in-law and niece…..
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Train Hard, Play Easy
What is your occupation?
23 Cricket Coaching is my business
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Director of Cricket and Head Coach at Hawkesbury CC In NSW Premier Cricket and I have my own coaching business too.
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities be to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Prioritise facilities and make sure grass roots is strong
