Peter Clifford

My Activity

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Q: Who is the fastest bowler you’ve ever faced in a game of cricket?

A: I had the misfortune of playing against Jeff Thomson in a Shield game at the Gabba and as usual it was a Gabba green top.
I was batting with Greg Matthew’s and he was going after him , unfortunately I got caught up in the s..t fight and he was super quick .
I stepped it out next day and Ray Phillips was back about 80/85 feet .
Looking back it was great fun !

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Q: If you could make one rule change in any format of the game what would it be?

A: New ball after 120 overs giving spinners a better bowl
Leg bye - get rid of it. If a bowler beats the bat hits the pad they shouldn’t penalised.
Bouncer rule to revert to previous rule with no limit and allow the umpires to monitor.
This would also make cricket more entertaining for all

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Q: How is captaincy and leadership within a team different as you move between grades?

A: Hi ,
I think the hardest job in grade cricket is second grade captain, internal pressure and ego coming from both directions.
First grade captain must be a good communicator totally transparent and honest .
Lower grade skippers are generally nurturing and father like .
The games evolved however these things remain the same .

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Q: As a player, coach, umpire, administrator, volunteer or fan cricket can be a sport that challenges people physically as well as psychologically.

How healthy is your current relationship with cricket?

A: Personally still enjoy the game. As a player my time is over .
It's great to see young players getting better and help building on their game .
Lifelong friends are important.
To get the Northern NSW Emus touring regularly and helping country players is what my priority is now

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Q: We extend an open invitation to all male cricketers in Northern NSW between the ages of 18 and 26. The Emus are back.

For 65 or more years, representative teams from NSW North Coast, Hunter Valley, North West, and Northern Tablelands would assemble in Tamworth for the JS White Under 21’s Colts Carnival over 3 days in January. From the carnival, players were selected to represent the Emus.

Doug Walters, an Australian cricket legend, is one of Emu's most famous.

In June 2025, a new breed of Emu’s will head off to Scotland for 14 days, from 6 to 20 June.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/47/peter-clifford/blog/2205/we-extend-an-open-invitation-to-all-male-cricketers-in-northern-nsw-between-the-ages-of-18-and-26-the-emus-are-back

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We extend an open invitation to all male cricketers in Northern NSW between the ages of 18 and 26. The Emus are back.

Jim White founded the "Emus," as they are affectionately known, in the 1940s, and each year a touring squad of under-21 players toured New Zealand, Argentina, and Europe.For 65 or more years ...

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Q: NSW Cricket Tour of Zimbabwe in 1986

Can you name the five people in the photo?

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Q: What does club cricket mean to you?

A: Lifelong friendships

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Q: Looking for some advice.
In one day cricket predominantly and against the spinners I’ve been having trouble beating the box fielder at mid wicket. I’ve not been timing being the ball well enough to get passed them or when I use my feet I’m struggling to get to the pitch of the ball and can’t generate any power in the shot.
Any tips on how to improve the shit because I see the good players do it so well and limit the number of dot balls.

A: Maybe sweep to get off strike and up the other end .
2/ make sure your second stride to the ball is shorter than the first ,less stride less chance of mistake
3/ be brave go over the top until they push mid on back then take 1 for 90 minutes and enjoy it .
Hope they help

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Q: Who is the one player from Sydney Grade Cricket who played between 1980 and 2000 you’d want as the first player selected if you had the opportunity to start your own NSW Premier first grade cricket team?

A: Wayne Seabrook and Rod Bower

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Q: Who is the one player from Brisbane Grade Cricket who played between 1980 and 2000 you’d want as the first player selected if you had the opportunity to start your own Queensland Premier first grade cricket team?

A: I would pick two players. Harry Frei as a bowler and Dean Tuckwell as a batter

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Q: There’s potential in Spencer Johnson and Lance Morris for sure.

If Mitch Marsh is not going to bowl much, be possibly needs to be given more responsibility to bat higher at No. 4 with Green slotted back into No. 6 as the all-rounder.

I reckon we’ve missed a trick with not rotating the bowlers at all recently. (Boland, Neser, Jhye Richardson and Jason Behrendorff, etc. will all be past their best when the next opportunity knocks.

Also, we could have been smarter in re-selecting Bancroft and/or Renshaw earlier, particularly in England where Warner generally struggled against Stuart Broad.

There may come a time when the current Australian players have played on too long and retire at the same time. I think we’re close to possibly becoming Dad’s Army and losing an Ashes series at home to England in 2025/26, simply because they will be younger and at their peak and/or we have a new generation of players in the team that are inexperienced.

A: You have to be better not younger !

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Q: UQ Cricket Club players to face toughest test on tour of India

For University of Queensland Cricket Club (UQCC) batsman Finn Churchward, the memory of Maxwell’s heroics against Afghanistan – and the 106 runs he plundered off just 44 balls against the Netherlands earlier in the tournament – will stay with him forever.

“I know there’s probably a bit of recency bias there, but I won't forget that World Cup in a hurry,” the second-year Bachelor of Mathematics / Bachelor of Sciences student said.

“It was an exciting tournament, and I watched all the games live on my computer. To come out on top in that final against India was amazing.”

Churchward will get a chance to follow in his heroes’ footsteps this year when he joins 14 of his clubmates on a UQCC tour of India – the club’s first international tour in 3 decades.

https://stories.uq.edu.au/contact-magazine/uq-cricket-club-players-to-face-toughest-test-on-tour-of-india/index.html

A: Enjoy the trip , wish I was going !

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Q: As a captain, I believe the following themes can help build a successful team.

• Everyone must think and be sharp to contribute to planning and decisions.
• Anyone can come up with a great idea that can be implemented.
• The captain must lead by performance, particularly when it's darkest – lead the team to a positive outcome. If you are not out, chasing a total, don't leave it to someone else.
• Physically work hard on the skills (especially fielding, Steve Rixon was a terrific example).
• Read the opposition batsmen - if they are tentative, attack and crowd them. If they are aggressive, catching positions are deeper, often. Read how the batsman is likely to want to play your bowler.
• You must be able to bowl the opposition out. Tactically, find a way, don’t give up.
For example, on flat slow Hobart decks, Dave Gilbert's third slip would move to third man because that was the easy shot. Rod Tucker would bowl one ball each over or so, wide down legside, hoping for a cheap catch.
• For every problem, the team and the captain have to provide at least one solution, if not move to plans B and C.
• Team success is everything - egos need massaging, but not at the expense of the team's success. Play that very tough. “I was nasty but only when we needed to be”.
• Establish in the minds of the players why their team is special, historic, deserving, belonging to a bigger cultural picture. Really, what is the team trying to achieve, and for what reasons?

I hope the information is helpful, best of luck to all

A: Best captain ever

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Q: In the 1980s New South Wales used to stay at the Hilton Hotel in Melbourne during Sheffield Shield games against Victoria.

The Hilton Hotel is only walking distance to the MCG and being from Sydney we just needed to navigate the tram tracks that we weren’t obviously used to.

It was only my second game so I decided to walk back with Steve Rixon and another player so I could get to know them better.

This particular afternoon we were all knackered as we chased leather all days in the field

We walked across the tram tracks and halfway across Rixon yelled out “watch out (other players name) get off the tracks as you will be electrocuted “.

The other player responded “Don’t worry Stumper I’ve got rubber soled shoes on “.

Unfortunately he wasn’t joking and we pissed ourselves laughing!

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Q: Tuesday and especially Thursdays are the nights Valley train between 6 -8 pm and the coaches are brilliant and I have never seen a better well-disciplined club in terms of facilities and training and that’s from every grade.

Peter Drinnen, Grant Mitchell, and Matt Dy Payne work relentlessly to make sure players get what they need to be better.

My role is to help players with their game. By the time they get to me they can already play and I need to make sure they understand and can choose the best options to help them play better.

I will “tweak “ something I see and pass it onto the player to see if it works for them.

I have always liked to “build something” in a club and leave it in a better place.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/47/peter-clifford/blog/1843/hard-fair-and-transparent-cricket-coach-thatrsquos-me

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Hard, fair and transparent cricket coach, that’s me

After 30 years at Toombul District Cricket Club, multiple premierships, first grade captain, lots of hundreds , and an average 53 it was a place I enjoyed for many years.It was well run in ...

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Q: NSW Schoolboys Cricket team 1977-78

Back Row - Jim Mole (Manager), Rod Douglas, Craig Hogan, Chris Hanger, Greg Arms, Hank McInnes, Jim McInerney, Hugh Irving, Dave Palmer, Ian Skinner, Garth Lucas (Manager)
Front - Paul Silkman, Ray Gonella, Mike Sutter, Peter Clifford (Captain), Rod Foord, Peter Devlin

The tournament was held in Christchurch NZ. Martin Crowe captained New Zealand, David Boon captained Tasmania, Greg Ritchie captained Queensland and Peter Clifford captained NSW to win the tournament undefeated.

A: I remember this great team and wonderful young men .
We had a great time on and off the field .

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Q: I remember a pre-season training session at Western Suburbs when I first came to Sydney and Australian cricketing great and club legend Alan Davidson spoke to the playing group about the benefits of hard work and training with purpose.

Mr. Davidson strongly emphasized the 6 Ps in cricket. Perfect Practice Prevent Piss Poor Performance.

All these years later I now know the 6Ps don’t just relate to cricket.

It’s human to want to know your role and not just in a cricket team. It’s in business, the workplace, and our personal lives. We all like to know where we fit in and the role we play.

The role of a captain in cricket is not just about what happens on the field or game day. It’s also important to know your players, what makes them tick and how you can help them feel better and more confident about the role you want them to play in the team.

A player who knows their role will tend to perform better than a player who is unsure and second-guessing their position.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/32/paul-ryan/blog/1735/when-should-a-cricket-captain-share-the-batting-order-with-their-players-and-the-team

A: I let the player know asap .
I plan weeks away and tell them “ be prepared to bat there , your up to it and enjoy “.
When I played for Nsw I was told on match day and I couldn’t care less , I knew from the side where I would probably bat so no issue.

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Q: Who was the first Australian cricketer to play Sheffield Shield cricket for 3 different states?

A: Cosier

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Q: Valley District Cricket Club First Grade Premiers 1984-85

Back Row – Barry Quinn, Peter McPhee, Paul Lewis, Peter Anderson, Garry Moore

Middle Row – R.P Easton (Hon. Secretary), Stuart Law, Brent Henschell, D. Connell, John Welsh, Greg Ritchie, Adrian Coolwell (12th man)

Front Row – U.D Thorne (Chairman), Anthony Brown (Vice Captain), Terry Khan (Captain), Allan Border, N.T McMahon (President)

Insert - Kepler Wessels

4 Test players and a further 10 first class players were on show in the 1984/85 Brisbane First Grade grand final between Valley and Northern Suburbs but it was Valleys big man Paul "Lurch" Lewis who proved the difference taking 5 for 44 in Norths' first innings 199.

Steve Monty and Brett Henschell were the only players to score fifties in a low scoring affair with Valleys ultimately winning by 7 wickets.

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/334/valley-district-cricket-club/blog/249/valley-district-cricket-club-first-grade-premiers-1984-85

A: Wonderful side , as opposition you get rid of Wessels, then out comes Border, Law and Ritchie!
Just really good players each and everyone.

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Q: After a very disappointing season last summer, the NSW Men’s Cricket team will go ‘back to the future’ in 2023/24 with a host of familiar faces appointed to key roles in a restructure set to reinvigorate the Blues.

In a series of moves designed to restore NSW to the top of domestic cricket, the Blues will look to the support of a group of former players with almost 1000 appearances for NSW and the state’s Big Bash clubs.

On the field, veteran former skipper Moises Henriques will be the all-format captain, ready to add to the 20 previous matches he led the Sheffield Shield side across seven different seasons. He has also captained the Blues One-Day team on 16 occasions.

https://www.cricketnsw.com.au/news/3660811/blues-go-back-to-the-future

A: Pretty simple really , so many cricketers to pick from just pick the best players from grade , irrelevant age , club or if not “ in the system “.

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Q: My Best Grade team - Peter Clifford 1979 to 1992

I played Grade Cricket for Randwick Cricket Club in Sydney from 1979 to 1985 before moving to Brisbane and playing for Toombul Cricket Club from 1986 to 1992.

Here is my Best Grade team from players I played with. In batting order

1. Alan Turner (Captain)- Randwick, NSW and Australia
Tough man, led by example and a wonderful mentor and leader. Even at the end of his career played some amazing innings. Aggressive captain and was always 2 hours ahead of play.

2. John Dyson – Randwick, NSW and Australia...

https://www.cricconnect.com/profile/47/peter-clifford/blog/117/my-best-grade-team-peter-clifford-1979-to-1992

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Q: Playing cricket with Imran Khan, the great Pakistan all-rounder was one of the highlights of my cricket career.
Imran had been recruited by New South Wales to play Shield cricket during the 1984/85 season. He was a star, on and off the field.
He had an immediate impact on the bowlers as reverse swing was a novelty in Australia. He had them mesmerised, swinging the ball in a way they'd only ever dreamed about.
Imran’s arrival coincided with my most rewarding season and we were both fortunate to play in one of the greatest Sheffield Shield finals. NSW v Queensland.
The QLD team was led by Allan Border and included 6 other test players. Kepler Wessels, Greg Ritchie, Trevor Hohns, Carl Rackemann and Jeff Thomson. Robbie Kerr played Test cricket the following season.
The Blues had 9 Test players and a 19-year-old Steve Waugh.
Skippered by Dirk Wellham, the other 8 test players were John Dyson, Steve Smith, Greg Matthews, Imran, Steve Rixon, Murray Bennett, Bob Holland, and David Gilbert.
It was the third season where the shield final was played over 5 days.
QLD scored 374 off 170 overs. Hohns 104, Border 64, Phillips 53 and Imran took 4 wickets.
We scored 318 off 121. Steve Smith top-scored with 76 and Steve Waugh 71. Jeff Thomson and John Maguire each got 3 wickets.
Qld had a lead of 56 on the first innings.
Imran then on a flat SCG wicket took the game by the scruff of its neck. He picked up Kerr, Courtice, Phillips, Border and Maguire with remarkable figures of 5 for 34 of 19 overs. He was supported by Muz Bennett with 4 for 32 off 20 overs.
QLD out for 163 and NSW needed 219 to win the Shield.
We were 3 for 59 when I entered the fray. Soon to be 5 for 100 and Imran with 18 and Steve Waugh 21 we found ourselves 7 for 173, still 46 runs behind.
It was willing in the middle, some might say, nasty. I’d had a massive verbal altercation with Kepler Wessels. Today, the match referee would have been busy.
Muz Bennett came and went. 8 for 175.
QLD opted not to take the new ball. It was only me, Dutchy Holland and David Gilbert between then and their first shield win.
Carl Rackemann bowled frighteningly quick and Dutchy displayed incredible bravery to score 10. 9 for 209. We’d put on 34.
10 to win and it was a great relief when David Gilbert hit a straight drive for 4.
We’d won and I was thrilled to play a part in such a game with 83 not out,
After 5 days of tough cricket and the Shield trophy, it was party time and where else but Imran penthouse.

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Q: What’s your Australian Test team for the 4th Ashes test at Old Trafford.

Here’s mine

Khawaja
Labuschagne
Smith
Head
Marsh
Green
Carey
Neser
Cummins
Starc
Murphy

Warner has been a wonderful player, but his time has come. He has been lucky that he is playing in an era where there are no Australian batsmen outside the top 6 who average 40 in first class cricket.

I would consider opening with Green as I’m conscious Justin Langer started opening in similar circumstances and other players who were pushed up the order through necessity and opportunity include David Boon, Shane Watson, Simon Katich and Usman Khawaja. I would keep Head and Marsh in the middle order.

I would hope Green doesn’t listen to his captain and coach if they tell him to bowl 6 short balls an over.

Hazelwood is unlucky but Neser’s form is irresistible.

I think Murphy is a great prospect but if he is not effective at Old Trafford I would consider drafting in Maxwell for The Oval.

What’s your team?

A: Renshaw
Khawaja
Labuschagne
Smith
Head
Marsh
Carey
Neser
Starc
Cummins
Hazlewood

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Q: Who are the captains, coaches and leaders in cricket, sport, business or any field of life you admire and relate to most in terms of their achievements, respect and what they stand for?
If you’d like to mention why, please do.

A: Dirk Wellham as NSW Cricket captain. He was always 2 hours ahead of the play and always tried to win. There were 9 Test players in the team who were all headstrong and he held the team together.
Made games fun and kept it moving forward.
Wonderful person on and off the field.

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Q: An opportunity has become available for a fast bowler or bowling allrounder who’d like to play some cricket in Scotland leading into the 2023-24 cricket season.
The current professional at Greenock Cricket club in Scotland has sadly suffered a season-ending injury and the club is looking for a new professional as soon as possible.
The club is prepared to cover the costs of return airfares, accommodation and pay 120 pounds a week.
Greenock understands the needs of players to be back in Australian late August or early September to prepare for their own season ahead.
If you’re interested, please send an email to hello@cricconnect.com

A: It’s a great club , ground second to none and top people !

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Q: Stuart Broad had a couple of his magic spells during the first test but did he get his tactics wrong with the new ball in the second innings in hindsight? Was he trying too hard to york the lower order batsmen out when good lengths would have been more difficult. At this level, what sort of bowling troubles the lower order?

A: Easy “ Toes and Nose” for tailenders .
Go upstairs first , then castle them .
As told by ex batsman !

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Q: When I was growing up, we were taught to play with the bat beside the pad with our head over the ball. My son who is 16 is being told by his coach to get the bat out in front of the pad – is this the modern way and the right advice/coaching?

A: I think out in front these days ,with Drs umpires tend to give Lbw decisions even with a full stride ,they have become brave.
Back in the 80s if you took a full stride never given LBW .

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Q: Northern NSW Emu Colts - 1976

Back Row – John McNamara (Manager), John Rose, Gary Bensley, Neil Warden, Don Skinner, Rod Douglas, Wayne Riley, Graham Walters, Ross Panton (Manager)
Front Row – Eric Higgins, Tim Williams, Brad Moore, Peter Clifford, Ken Otte

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Q: I’m 19 and opening the batting. Started the season poorly with 4 scores under 10 and I’m frustrated as I worked hard in the off season and want to get advice on how to approach my next innings and what to focus on?

A: When you go out ,you set the pace so there’s no scoreboard pressure .
Get off strike as much as you can , stay up
The bowlers end early on .
1 rule play the ball that’s inside your eyeline ,if it’s outside your eyeline let it go .
Remember you have done the preseason hard work and the cricket god owes you !
Cheers

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Q: When captaining Frankston Peninsula v St Kilda, I won the toss and mumbled to my good mate, Jason Jacoby the Saints skipper, that “you can have a bat …. after us!” … the umpires heard what I said but Jason didn’t which was exactly what I wanted. It was very funny when there’s 4 openers out in the middle at the start of play. The Saints openers had to run off hurriedly as did the rest of the team who were just starting to put their feet up relaxing in their shorts and trackies … that was a pretty good crank!

A: Greg Ritchie did it to David Hookes in a Shield game Queensland v South Australia in Adelaide
It was hilarious

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Q: We have a promising 17-year-old batter at our club and we’ve noticed he’s picking the bat up towards leg slip as the bowler is running into bowl. What’s the best way to help and is there a preference to how he should pick the bat up?

A: Use some plastic stumps, take out the middle one .
Get him to pickup without touching the remaining stumps.

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Q: Next summer I will be coaching Valley District Cricket Club First Grade in Queensland Premier Cricket (Red Ball only).
It will be great helping talented, keen, and focused young men.
We have a blend of experience and youth backed up by a smart forward-thinking Board.
To help win a Premiership is my goal.
August can’t come quick enough!

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Q: In relation to the Mankad issue and its increased regularity especially in T20 cricket.
Bowlers are penalised for going 1mm over the crease for a no ball and it cost the team one run plus a free hit which could mean the penalty is 7 runs if the free hit is hit for 6. Bowlers are also penalised if they’re stray outside the markers and the ball is called a wide and it could also cost their team 7 runs if the additional bowl is hit for 6. That’s all fine because it’s in the rules.
The Mankad is in the rules but it’s not a good look and creates tension amongst the players so with all the technology involved in the game what if a penalty is introduced to the batting team if the batter leaves the crease before the ball is bowled.
The technology and penalty take the pressure off the bowlers and the umpires and like the bowler’s penalties means the batters have to stick to the rules of the game.
Is 2 or 3 runs too much of a penalty, keen to get your thoughts.

A: Same penalty as a no ball, 6 runs off the team score plus ball included in over .
In addition in white ball cricket leg byes not counted at all , bowler beats the bat hits pad and gets penalised ( crazy),batsman can be run out and only advised at completion of run ,batsman who was on strike remain on strike.

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Q: After many seasons of playing cricket in several countries and states, i paused for my young family. Coming back to cricket has been fantastic in may ways. I am searching for more from my pre season to improve results. I have a great mentor and former coach who asked if I was "cricket fit". He acknowledged fitness, but told me to train smarter and more specific to cricket. Any tips for batting longer in the middle? Fatigue has been a factor in several of my innings this season.

A: Hi Pete ,
I would recommend doing the fitness and fielding practice first and really pushing yourself , then when cooked go into the nets .
Concentrating on keeping your wicket intact like in a game .
People make mistakes when tired and over weeks this will help you in game situations.
If you get tired in the middle occasionally take a over or 2 off and stay one end until you get focused and start again .

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Q: What's the funniest thing you've ever seen happen in a game of cricket?

A: Grade game in Brisbane where the opposition captain declared behind the follow on , asked to bat again !
He asked “ how longs this been going on ?”.
He was told 127 years .

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Q: Recently we had one of our younger batters (16) padded up for 2 and half hours during a long partnership. It was a hot day and the youngster sat still during the partnership and then when a wicket fell, was unfortunately out first ball

What advice or tips can you offer younger batters when they’re waiting a long time to bat?

A: Every couple of hours let someone else take your spot for 10 minutes, take the pads off, take a walk clear your head.
Then come back more focused

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Q: I’m new to umpiring and have become quite fascinated about the psychology of the different guards’ batters choose when they come out to bat.
Batters ask for middle stump, leg stump, middle to leg, one leg, leg stump to off stump and other variations. Can I ask what you choose and the reason why?

A: Batters take a guard to know where the stumps are and to make them feel in control

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MCG tram tracks and rubber sole shoes

In the 1980s New South Wales used to stay at the Hilton Hotel in Melbourne during Sheffield Shield games against Victoria.The Hilton Hotel is only walking distance to the MCG and being from ...

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Q: Australia didn’t play a practice game in India prior to the First Test.

Should players be expected to perform under the pressure of a Test Match when they haven’t played competitive red ball cricket for 8 weeks and or played a practice game under the pressures and conditions, they’ll experience in the Test Match?

A: Practice games are essential, locals can show their ability and revenue for local States or Counties can be generated.
If they don’t put out the best opposition or they rest first x1 players never use them as a warm up veune.
I remember playing windies , NZ , Pakistan , and England in practice games and we weren’t ever going to play test cricket so it was our big chance .
We beat the Windies in Sydney in 1984 and Holland and Bennett were then picked for Australia, it was great to play against the best .
No one held back and it was great practice for the tourists

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Q: Hard to fathom why Travis Head is not playing in the first test for Australia v India. His recent form and being ranked number 4 Test batter in the world would suggest he least deserved the first opportunity in India

A: Ridiculous absolute joke
They better win otherwise questions are already been asked .
S Waugh someone you don’t get offside.

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Q: As Aaron Finch calls stumps on his outstanding international career who do cricket fans believe should be the next Australian T20 Cricket Captain?

A: Hi ,
I believe it should be Carey .
Gets a good look at everything and seems to be a Leeder

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Greenock Cricket Club in Scotland has a wonderful opportunity for a young Australian fast bowler

A fantastic opportunity is available for a young cricketer to play in Scotland in 2023.Greenock Cricket Club is seeking a fast bowler or a top order batter who ca ...

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Q: I’m 23 and a captain in my first season. I want to ask why spinners are so quick to want a fielder at deep point. In my opinion it’s just an easy single for the batter?

A: Agree , they are setting fields for bad bowling , basically for long hop outside off stump .
You set the field and make them bowl to your field .
I would love to be given 1 every block .
Maybe early on until finding length but that’s it .

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Q: When a fast bowler is running into bowl should the batter be watching the bowler run in and then focusing on their hand and ball as they release the ball or should they be watching the ball in the bowlers hand the whole time they are running in as well?

A: I generally watch the bowler turn not intense , however when close to stumps switch on to intense concentration.
I think it’s too hard to concentrate for more than a few seconds .

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Q: Most young batters in our club bat well for 30 to 50 balls but then start to play across the line and get themselves out. What advice or strategy can we offer to help them bat longer.

A: At practice do the fielding and PT first so they are “cooked “ when going into the nets , when they get out in the nets they are out .
This will help in putting more value on their wicket .
They will learn to bat time and bat when fatigued .
It works !

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Q: What’s the one piece of advice you’d offer a teenage cricketer who’s looking to make their way in the game?

A: I think hang out with good people maybe not the best players but genuinely good people .
“ Good people make good cricketer’s “

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Q: I was just wondering if you have any tips on how to bat when you’re coming of a few low scores and a bit low on confidence. How you should just go about it?

A: Try to have a routine, I mean arrival at ground, place in shed , breakfast , warm up , do the same all the time the things that work for you!
Remember the feeling when you did well , carry something in your bag that will “trigger “ you to switch on .
I carried a bat in my bag which was broken which I used in 1984 and did well and when in a drought used to shadow bat in the dressing room .
All a coach will do is
A/ keep you in form longer
B/ get you out of the slump quicker !
Get back on the wave of success and ride it as long as you can .
Good players have a process !

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Q: Does the captain of a cricket team have to be the best player in the team?

A: I think the captain has to be the best communicator.

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Q: Is age (young or old) a key criteria in selecting players in a cricket team?

A: If they are good enough they are old enough !

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Q: What's the best cricket shot to learn to play well?

A: I think the shot that is a natural shot , one that you own and never miss.
My shot was a shot that I worked on the leg side between mid on and backward square , it helped me get off strike ( or pinch the strike) and it never failed.
Probably been bought up on bouncy cement wickets helped .
It wasn’t a big shot normally a 1 or 2 but really hardly missed out .

blog post

My Best Grade team - Peter Clifford 1979 to 1992

I played Grade Cricket for Randwick Cricket Club in Sydney from 1979 to 1985 before moving to Brisbane and playing for Toombul Cricket Club from 1986 to 1992.Here is my Best Grade team from ...

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Q: Last I heard, County cricket and Test cricket in England use different types of Dukes Cricket balls. Do you think this will give the Australians who play County cricket prior to the Test series the best preparation?

A: Last prep for Ashes they played Shield with a Duke , this worked well .
The Duke swings after about 8 overs when the
Lacquer goes off the ball .
It generally swings all day and I believe makes watching cricket more enjoyable.

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Q: Can you remember how you first fell in love with cricket?

A: I come from the country where we played league or tennis in winter , cricket in summer .
I loved batting ,hated fielding and practice.
I did however love the mateship and travel that’s what I really loved .
Cricket friendships last a lifetime.

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Q: My son is 14 and I want to help him play the pull and hook shots the right way. Is it better to teach him to play the shots with his hands coming up under the ball or try and get his hands up higher and over the ball so he has a better chance to hit the ball along the ground?

A: Hi,
I think your either a hooker or not .
If not % wise your better off going under them as it takes it out of a quick to bowl a good bouncer and they will tire quickly if you don’t hook .
If you want to see if your sons a hooker or plays it well just use a tennis ball and hit them at him with a helmet on , see how he goes .
The main thing is to get inside the flight of the ball , don’t worry about keeping it down just hit it for 6.
If they put 2 back don’t hook !
Been Match aware is important like when to play and when not to as if you are caught with 2 back you probably won’t last long.
Initially see if he’s a hooker or not .
S Waugh was a great hooker but shelved it !!

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Q: What is the most surreal moment you've experienced in cricket?

A: 1982 picking up my Nsw jacket from Fletcher Jones in Sydney city , riding the bus back to Coogee dying to try it on .
It was a great moment and I thought of my dad who passed a few months before I got selected and coming from a small country town it was for them as much as for me .

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Q: Where should your head be towards during your stance while the bowler is releasing the ball. I am keen to know your opinion!

A: Head and eyes level
I liked getting my head close to my left shoulder as I was right handed .

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Q: What are the key factors in winning a competition? Anything from developing a side that can do it; off field culture; team expectations; etc.

A: Firstly, you probably can’t win the competition immediately.

You need to find what the teams’ strengths and weaknesses are and in Year 1 create a culture that suits your club and that attracts the right people to your club.

Get rid of the people who “don’t get it “

Bin mobile phones between 9.45am and 5pm at stumps

Year 2 goal is to make the top 4. Get a good leader as captain. Your 3rd seamer in cricket holds the bowling together so get someone to plug up an end so your superstars can go the other end.

Be realistic make it “real “

Get buy in from the team the negotiables (creative ) and non-negotiables (values )

No slashes (players who pick and choose when they want to play) you're either in or out. Slashes create a poor attitude.

Make the semi-finals (you probably won’t win) but learn from the year

Year 3 - Win it by repeating what you did in year and go one further.

Enjoy the ride it’s gold

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Q: Anyone know any Estate Planning lawyers in Brisbane?

A: Thanks Paul. Greg played for Queensland, good man, I'll get in contact with him

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Q: Greenock Cricket Club in Scotland is seeking a fast bowler or a top order batter who can bowl a few overs for their first division cricket team. Some might say the level of cricket is equivalent to 2nd or 3rd grade premier cricket in Australia.

The club is prepared to offer airfares, accommodation and 120 Euros a week and the player will be expected to help out coaching the younger players in the club and community. It’s a great club with great people.

If you're interested click contact me

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Q: Anyone know any Estate Planning lawyers in Brisbane?