Michael Phillipson - hanging out with mates
University of Queensland Cricket Club | May 10, 2023
Michael Philipson won the Peter Burge Medal awarded to the best player in the competition in 2016/17 season.
Michael played 4 first class games for Queensland and took 7 wickets in just his second match.
Still tormenting Premier Cricket attacks Michael hands are as good as anyone’s with the ability to play very late and the audacity to run down the wicket against the quicks. He was also a skillful medium pacer with a great slower ball who turned himself into a quality off-spinner.
What year you were born?
1986
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
I think I was about 8 and my first memory was the Under 10 when you could only face about 30 balls and then you had to retire. Rotating around the fielding positions. Wasn’t a fan
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I started out playing for Centenary Cricket club playing at Jindalee S.S and at Peter Lightfoot Oval. Played in an under 15 comp for UQ when I was 13.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
16/17 I think playing 3rd grade with the likes of Geoff Teys and Graydon Atthow.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
Pretty sure I was 17 or 18 against Norths. I got caught at slip off a leg spinner. Who would’ve thought?
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Batsman. I was a part time bowler who was forced into bowling spin.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
193 in first grade for UQ against Wests.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
7 for a sidecart (7 for 107) for the Bulls against Victoria in Alice Springs.
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Nathan Coulter Nile. Unfortunately I didn’t see many.
Michael Phillipson - Peter Burge medal winner
Who has been the best three spinners you have played against?
Jarrod Turner, Jason Floros and Ben Davis. All landing them on a coin.
Who has been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Chris Lynn, Mark Ramprakash, Ben Davis
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Chris Lynn, scored a helluva lot against the Vics at the Gabba and was continually whacking Ahmed and Holland everywhere.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Definitely Chris Hartley. Mitchell Fry a close 2nd.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Craig Philipson – always seemed to be 3 steps ahead. Whether he was or not.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Tim Wheller
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Anything to do with Jarrod Turner and Paul Burman.
Who was your childhood hero?
Ricky Ponting
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Circuit with Tiger Woods back in the day, Chris Lynn and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Richie Benaud
What was your favourite ground to play at?
WEP Harris of course
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
Hanging out with 10 of your best mates.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Bulls Debut.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Tim Wheller, Murray Proctor & Elliot Ryan, Geoff Teys.
What are your hobbies?
Golf, watching sports
Let’s give your employer a plug, who do you work for?
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Still playing at UQ. Will stick around and help out well into the future.
If you were running Cricket QLD what would be your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Grassroots level and Premier Cricket.
