Uni Bookworms with Martin Love

University of Queensland Cricket Club | February 24, 2023

Alumni Edition 7 - August 2013

One of UQ’s favourite sons is no doubt Martin Love. His balance at the crease made him one of the truly great batsmen to watch. What better person to provide this edition’s Uni bookworms 20 questions?

Your first memory of UQCC?

My first memory was WEP coming up to Toowoomba Grammar School to talk to me when I was in Grade 12, prior to me playing the Metway Cup preseason competition as the country player for Uni. I remember walking away after that conversation hoping not everyone at the club was like WEP.

Your best Uni cricket memory?

Too many to recount just one.

Your best memory of WEP?

Not sure if it was the WEP burgers, the feeling of still being alive after a trip in his car, or having great conversations with him about his knowledge of past players and the game.

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

Anyone who bowled under lights at training, (not that I actually batted under lights at training that often).

What was the strangest dismissal you ever saw?

Playing a Shield game against WA at the Gabba. Mike Hussey was batting and he played a cover drive. In his follow through as the bat come over his head, he lost his grip and the bat landed on the stumps.

Which old boy had the best success with the opposite sex?

Mal Thornton – or maybe he just made up good stories.

Best away trip IV/country/tour?

End of season trip to Byron. Steve Farrell decided to take me on in a drinking competition. Started at the Billinudgel Hotel and ended, watching Kasper bowling in India, at the Byron Bay Hotel at midnight. Let’s just say it wasn’t me who couldn’t speak by the end of the night. Faz did have his revenge, as he kept us all awake with his snoring that night.

Funniest team mate?

There has been many, ranging from Andrew Courtice’s wit to Nathan Reardon silliness. Never a dull moment when either of them were around.

Best bowler faced?

Bruce Reid. Played at WACA in day/night Shield game with yellow ball. Difficult due to the bounce he could create off a length, being a lefty and able to swing it. A nightmare — the yellow ball looked a comet.

Best batsmen bowled to?

Trevor Barsby ruined my bowling career when he hit me for lots off an over when I was young. The only way I could get a bowl after that was to bowl off spin when I became captain, much to Steve Farrell disgust as he thought I was the worst spinner he had ever seen (probably not that far off the mark)

Biggest hit seen?

I saw Eddie Mariner hit Dog onto the roof of the old Sir Leslie Wilson stand roof at the Gabba during a one day final. Paul Jackson took an eternity to get it back. No replacement balls in those days.

Best catch seen?

Ross Shepherd taking a one handed diving catch at long off at Uni in his first game. I think it ended up being a good catch because he was so far out of position, he had to run to catch it where he should have been standing.

Easiest catch you ever saw dropped?

There were many at Uni, as we often had to create 15–16 chances each innings to take 10 wickets.

Toughest opponent on the cricket field?

Steve Waugh – Never gave his wicket away, always chipping away at you when he was fielding.

Best cricket commentator?

Bumble (David Lloyd). Always entertaining.

Who is your hero?

Allan Border, as growing up watching cricket in the 80s, he was the backbone of the batting.

Which six people would you want to have to dinner?

Jen Hawkins, Albert Einstein, Bono, Don Bradman, Tom Hanks and Jerry Seinfeld.

First car?

Late model Honda Civic.

First job?

Rockmelon catcher when I was 8 growing up on the farm.

What is your all-time Test Match World XI?

Hobbs

Gavaskar

Bradman

Lara

Richards

Sobers

Gilchrist

Warne

Akram

Lillee

McGrath

Kasprowicz (12th man)