Uni Bookworms with Shawn Flegler

University of Queensland Cricket Club | February 24, 2023

Shawn is the Female High Performance Manager and Chair of the Women’s National Selection Panel at Cricket Australia. In fact, he wrote this Bookworm 20 Questions while assisting the Australian women's team win the 2018 World Cup T20 in the West Indies.

He has had varied roles since departing UQCC in his late 20s, including playing first class cricket for Victoria, captain/coach of Melbourne University, and international coaching assignments in Canada and Ireland.

Shawn mentioned that he ended up playing for several clubs over the years, but his best memories have been from the two Uni clubs he played for.

Shawn is married to Justine, and has two daughters. Over the last few years he has taken up triathlons and has completed one Ironman. (Editor’s note: a mid-life sports car would be better for your joints Flegs!).

He is currently completing an MBA. Shawn has always been a great team man — thanks for your input Shawn.

What was your first memory of University of Queensland Cricket Club?

My first memory was actually playing against Uni for a Darling Downs side when I was about 17. I think I went ok and seem to remember being asked if I wanted to play there. I grew up playing with and against Wade Seccombe, Michael Kasprowicz and Tom Garde, so it was an easy decision.

What’s your best Uni cricket memory?

Winning the premiership was great, but there were just some great people there who had such a positive influence during my time there.

What’s your best memory of WEP Harris?

WEP turned up to Kaspa’s house for a BBQ and was greeted at the gate by Harley (Kaspa’s much loved hound), who took a liking to WEP’s calf and wouldn’t let him in the yard. After getting the puncture wounds cleaned up, WEP brushed off the dog attack as it was ‘just like a crocodile cradling its young in its jaws’!

Who was the best net bowler or batsman you ever saw?

Shane Harwood in Victoria liked to hit batters for fun and had a pretty good success rate!

Martin Love made you feel like you were second rate, and I cannot recall ever getting Matthew Hayden out at training. Mind you, I think I would’ve enjoyed facing my bowling as well!

What was the strangest dismissal you ever saw?

Not a dismissal, but I remember Tom Garde fielding at square leg and diving at the feet of Peter Goggin (I think?) as he went to smash an errant slower ball from Andrew ‘Dog’ Courtice.

Which Old Boy had the best success with the opposite sex?

Geoff Foley! Jim Tucker was an outstanding conversationalist, and I do recall being at The Underground one night and Jimmy saying he would love to have my hair for a night! I think Foles would’ve still had him covered though!

What was the best away trip – Inter Varsity/country/tour?

The most memorable was a boat trip across to Tangalooma on Roger Traves’ father-in-law’s yacht. Beautiful afternoon sailing over there followed by a reasonably large night.

Unfortunately, the weather turned bad, which meant we had to depart very early the next morning. There were some very green faces on the trip back across Moreton Bay!

Shawn bowling to West Indian Phil Simmons

Who was the funniest team mate?

I really enjoyed Dog’s sense of humour.

Who was the best bowler you faced?

I got to play against Abdul Qadir when I moved to Melbourne and he was a genius!

Who was the best batsman bowled to?

Ricky Ponting

What’s the biggest hit you’ve seen?

Fast Eddie Marriner hitting Dog over mid-wicket at the Gabba. I was on the receiving end of a lot of sixes, and Troy Dixon hit one at Uni that was still on an upwards trajectory when it hit a tree 20 metres above the sightscreen.

What’s the best catch you’ve seen?

We had a cordon of Seccombe, Love, Walduck, Foley and I think all of them made some hard catches look easy.

What’s the easiest catch you ever saw dropped?

Maybe not the easiest but Remedial, running into the light pole at the Gabba sticks in the memory.

Who was the toughest opponent on cricket field?

Dog! 

Who’s the best cricket commentator?

Ponting and daylight second!

What was your cricket hero?

I loved Allan Border, Viv Richards and Greg Matthews growing up. In my only game for QLD, AB was the captain and we played against a full strength NSW side that included Greg Matthews. I was an Assistant Coach for the Melbourne Stars when Viv was involved with the team. Sometimes when you meet your hero’s they can disappoint … one of them did!

Which six people would you want to have to dinner with?

My wife and two daughters, anyone who can afford to buy some Grange and they can bring a couple of friends!

What was your first car?

My first car was a Datsun 180B which was a lemon, but when I started squatting at Kaspa’s house in Moorooka, I bought his 1980 Honda Accord off him. It was probably a good move by Kaspa, as it meant he got some money out of me! 19.

What was your first job?

Somehow in the era of semi-professional cricket, I managed to scrape along for about 10 years without having a proper job. When Cricket Victoria finally saw the light and didn’t offer me a contract, I ended up working in IT for 7–8 years. I was working at Microsoft in Sydney when Cricket Victoria offered me a coaching role. I’ve been back involved in cricket for 10 years, but I still don’t think it’s a ‘real job’ and I feel very fortunate!

What is your all time Test Match World XI?

1. Hayden

2. Gavaskar

3. Ponting

4. Richards

5. Lara

6. Sobers

7. Gilchrist

8. Akram

9. Marshall

10. Warne

11. McGrath