Craig Phillipson - a hundred on debut for Queensland
University of Queensland Cricket Club | May 20, 2023
Craig Phillipson burst onto the first class cricket scene in Australia with a century on debut and played 29 first class games and 57 one day games for Queensland.
He won the Peter Burge medal for the best player in the Queensland Premier Cricket in 2009/09. Craig was a wonderful shot maker with one of the best “leaves” in the game and was dismissive of attacks at his best. A quality gripper, underrated medium pacer and with a sharp cricketing mind, he was as good as it got at Grade level.
What year you were born?
1982
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
I can’t really remember. I would have been 7 or 8 playing Under 10’s for Centenary Cricket Club.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I started at Centenary Cricket C and went through the school representative set up, Metropolitan West etc. Began playing senior cricket at University of Qld Cricket Club in Lord Taverners at the age of 14. Moved into 2nd grade at Uni at around 16, then into first grade around 18 until 30 odd. Made QLD debut in 2003/2004 with 100 on debut in Shield cricket. Retired around 2011/12ish.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
2nd Grade at the age of 16 approx.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
1st Grade at the age of 18, I think I made 20 odd. I went over to watch my friends play UJ16’s and the 1st grade game started without me after lunch.
Craig Phillipson - QLD v NSW
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
A batman in state cricket but more of a batting all-rounder in grade cricket. Easy when you are captain, can bat and bowl when you like.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
I made 240 not out in a 2nd X1 game for QLD off about 200 balls. Chased down 400 plus in the 4th innings vs Victoria at AB field.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I took 7 for 30 vs. Valleys at Northgate for University 1st Grade side.
Who have been the best fast bowlers you have played against?
Brett Lee – Just fast. Played him in a one day game at the SCG. Reverse swung the ball a mile.
Mitchell Starc – Also very fast, but heaps of extra bounce. Hard to handle for someone short.
Who have been the best three spinners you have played against?
Stuart MacGill – Just played with you head while batting with field settings.
Shane Warne – Such good control. Hard to work out where to score off him.
Anil Kumble – Bowled quite fast. Had to play him from the crease.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Brad Hodge – New his game and limitation so well.
Sachin Tendulkar – Played one game against him and I couldn’t see how anyone could get him out.
Kumar Sangakarra – So much time, could hit it wherever he wanted.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Jimmy Maher scored close to 200 in a one-day domestic match vs WA in about 40 degree heat at the Gabba. Must have scored of almost every ball.
Craig Phillipson - QLD v WA
Was there any batsman in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted their wicket?
Ben Gledhill from Sandgate. He was my guaranteed wicket. He just seemed to get out to me every time we played them. The boys used to love it when he came out to bat. I’d bowl straight away regardless of how the others were bowling.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Chris Hartley – I played a lot with Harts. I saw him take some absolutely freakish catches. Didn’t play as much with Wade Seccombe, but he was also amazing to watch.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Most competitive was Andy Bichel. Whenever something special was needed, Bic would take the game on. He always believed he was the man for every moment. Even when he was sent in to pinch hit in one day games.
Martin Love. Easily my favourite player to watch and bat with. Could play the most amazing shots off balls you thought were pretty well bowled. The best thing is that he was never surprised by a shot he played. He expected to nail it.
Andy Bichel
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Had a few but Cameron White in the Australian Under 19 team. We won the World Cup pretty easily. He sees the game a few plays ahead of most.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Clinton Perren and Lee Carseldine when together were next level.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
Probably one of the numerous times I tried to smash one over cover from a ball that was above my waist.
Who was your childhood hero?
I didn’t really have one early days, I just loved cricket. As a teenager, Martin Love was my favourite player to watch.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Tiger Woods – I won a competition that gave me a 1 hour golf lesson with him but had to decline due to a state game in Darwin at the same time.
Lebron James – best ever on and off the court.
Sally Fitzgibbons
Lebron James
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Andrew Symonds
Andrew Symonds
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Allan Border Oval, suited my game.
Where there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Not really. Just enjoyed playing against anyone for all different reasons.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
Teammates
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
100 on debut for Queensland v Tasmania was memorable, but winning 10-15 premierships with University was very satisfying.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Can’t pin point one – had a heap of finals wins for University.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
I’d love to have all of my Uni teammates from around 1999 to 2009 around. Great bunch of guys. Never any in fighting which was rare in team sport. Every week was fun.
What are your hobbies?
With 3 young girls now, my hobbies include anything with them, although I try and sneak out now and then to get my car washed and have some quiet time.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
“People can form a perception of you in 10 secs that can last a lifetime even though it’s not necessarily true” – Michael Kasprowicz
What is your current occupation?
Quality Management Representative
Let’s give your employer a plug, who do you work for?
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Not really. I try and get out and watch my younger brother play, but my weekends are pretty much tied up with my 3 girls.
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?
Not sure really. I would hate to suggest something that I don’t really know much about at the moment. Things have changed a lot recently. The only thing would be to give young players who are seen as long term players more time to develop regardless of results to a certain extent, although it’s hard when the team results aren’t so great sometimes.
