Shane Mott - you gotta have fun
Hawkesbury Cricket Club | February 20, 2023
Shane Mott made his first grade debut for Hawkesbury in 2002 and in a career spanning through to 2017 he took 369 first grade wickets at an average of 22.85 and took 5 wickets or more in an innings on 15 occasions.
Such was Shane’s outstanding efforts and service to the Hawkesbury Cricket Club, the clubs annual award for the most number of wickets in a season across all grades (1-5) is recognised in his honour - Shane Mott Most Wickets Trophy.
Let’s find out more about Shane’s journey in the game
What year were you born?
1985
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
My first ever game I was about 9 or 10, it was against North Richmond. Steve O’Keefe opened the bowling for them. I recall him being “lightning quick” and he got most of us out. I think I scored 1 run, don’t remember bowling but I can’t have gone too well if I did.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey
I started playing cricket for Pitt Town Cricket Club in 1994 I think. A few of my school mates were chatting at school on a Monday morning about their game on the weekend, and I felt like I was missing out on something, so I went home that day and asked Dad if I could play.
I played junior representative cricket for Hawkesbury under 14’s & then 15’s, and played Grade Cricked for Hawkesbury from there, including Green Shield and PG’s.
I played 4 NSW 2nd XI games and 9 List A games for the Netherlands in the County 40 over competition in 2011. I played 3 seasons overseas for Scholes (Huddersfield League), Terenure (Dublin) and Bangor (Wales) in 2009, 10 & 11 respectively.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I debuted in 5th Grade at 14.
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 and played a one day game against Parramatta I think. Don’t think I got any wickets and not sure if I batted.
Shane Mott bowling
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Opening Bowler who could bat a little bit.
What were your strengths as a player?
Probably accuracy and consistency and swinging the ball as a left hander was my strength. It kind of had to be as I certainly wasn’t as quick as others. I always tried to keep my economy rate low and often measured my success on that. Batting wise I felt I had pretty good power and could challenge the bowlers at times (only if the wicket was flat enough!!). I was also always pretty fit as I enjoyed training.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
86 not out against St George at Hurstville
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
6 for 26 for Hawkesbury against North Sydney at North Sydney Oval.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
In terms of Sydney Grade Cricket and as a less accomplished batsmen, the faster they were the better I thought they were as they tended to trouble (scare) me the most.
I went in as a night watchman against Sydney Univeristy and Mark Cameron was bowling incredibly quick, he was pretty scary. The not so quick bowlers just tended to get me out so I probably respected them less than they deserved.
Doug Bollinger was always keen to hurt you and I remember batting for a little while one day at Rosedale where I certainly felt out of my depth.
I did face Steven Finn whilst playing for the Netherlands against Middlesex. He was extremely awkward to face. I came in to face a hat trick ball and I’m pretty sure that was the fastest ball I ever faced.
Doug Bollinger
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
I faced Adil Rashid at Headingly against Yorkshire, and I was just lucky not to get out really. He’d have to be the best spinner I faced.
Any leg-spinner I found tough to be honest. Adam Zampa would be another one in the same style.
Anthony Clark was always a tough competitor. I always fancied myself against off spinners but he was hard to attack.
Adil Rashid
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Steve Smith is the obvious one, for obvious reasons, but personally the player I always found difficult to bowl to was Adam Crosthwaite.
He would move around a lot and try to change the way I had to bowl to him. I enjoyed it but always felt uncomfortable bowling to him. I also tended to struggle a bit to lower order batsmen in general.
On some long hot days at Benson’s Lane, a slogging number 9 or 10 could be your toughest challenge as the wicket became very flat and the ball was somewhat like you’d see in net 3 at a late season training session.
Adam Crosthwaite
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Tom Cooper. He scored 126 off about 100 balls in a game against Middlesex which we unfortunately lost the game by just one run. But the innings he played brought us back into a game where we were simply out of. It was pretty cool to watch from the Lords balcony.
Tom Cooper
Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason seemed to always cause you a few problems?
Most of them to be fair. But Josh Lalor was particularly awkward to play.
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?
I was batting with Scott Henry (it was his debut I think) for the Hawks and we were in a fair bit of trouble, about 5-50 or something like that.
Doug Bollinger and Grant Lambert were bowling on what was a really hard but green wicket at Rosedale. Scott and I sort of looked at each other after Doug wizzed a few past us, we knew we were a little (lot) out of our depth. Managed to hang around for an hour or so though.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I feel bad saying this but I never took much notice of wicket keepers really, until they dropped catches. But I remember when first coming into First Grade thinking James Allsopp was very slick.
Who are the two players you admired the most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
I’d have to say in terms of skills, the first one that comes to mind is Anthony Kershler, particularly in limited overs games. I watched player after player after player try to attack him and almost never did I see anyone do so effectively. His skills in speed variations were in my opinion better than any opposition finger spinner I ever saw.
Anthony Kershler
On the theme of orthodox spinners Steve O’Keefe was another player I admired a lot as a competitor.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with? And if you could add a few words to why.
I always thought James Henry was a great captain. I think I just enjoyed his approach to captaincy and the way he managed people and instilled belief in them. I always felt he was confident in me.
Who was the umpire you admired most in the way they managed a game?
I always enjoyed the company of most umpires. I had a few look after me with a few LBW’s over the years, but I always felt Marc Nickl had a great rapport with players. Nick Fowler is another that comes to mind.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
That’s a tough one. I’d probably have to say Steve O’Keefe made me laugh the most but Tom Decent would have to be a close 2nd.
Steve O'Keeffe
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
It had been a long day at Rosedale chasing leather and Doug Bollinger came in for the last ball of the day's play. He slogs a nice 4 and starts strutting off the ground and announces to everyone on the field “Strike Rate of 100, not bad hey boys” to which his batting partner quipped “Might wanna check your math there Dougy”
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
Hit one straight to mid-wicket in a one day game at Bankstown and called yes, run out by about 5 metres.
Who was your childhood hero?
Keiren Perkins and Andrew Johns
Kieren Perkins
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Peter Bol, Kilian Jornet, Roger Federer
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Billy Birmingham, Richie Benaud
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Coogee Oval
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
North Sydney - took 6 wickets 3 years in a row against them.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Individually, debuting for the Netherlands at Headingly and top scoring with 50 not out batting at 8
Shane Mott bowling for Netherlands
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Comeback wise, a Poidevin Gray game where Blacktown were 2-190 chasing 209 with just over 10 overs to go. We won by a couple of runs, John Hastings took a heap of wickets.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Too many to name, can’t narrow it to three, but here’s a few:
Tom Decent, Ben Trevor Jones, John Hastings, Steve O’Keefe, Chuck Matthews, Jay Dyball, Andrew Sadleir, Nathan Carroll.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy trail running. Particularly in the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains area (but anywhere really) and just running in general. My physio tells me at 95kg I'm not exactly built for it, and I get injured even more than in my cricket days, but I enjoy it nonetheless. Being a parent is also fun.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
You gotta have fun!!
What is your occupation and who do you work for – we will give them a plug
I work in finance for Loan Market Richmond. We are a small mortgage broking team.
