Peter McPhee - a natural with cheek
Mark Atkinson | June 11, 2023
Peter McPhee was a right arm fast medium bowler who played first grade cricket in Brisbane before moving to Tasmania and making his first class debut in 1989/90.
Peter played 27 first class games for Tasmania capturing 89 wickets at an average of 33.16. His best bowling figures was 6 for 36 and he took 5 wickets in an innings on 4 occasions and picked up 10 wickets in match in one game.
A character of the game who knew how to enjoy himself
Welcome Peter,
How did you get into cricket?
My Dad was a great fan and Marist Brothers Ashgrove were very encouraging. Jack Eales (John Eales dad, coached me in Grade 5, Massive man with Massive Hands
What are your memories of your junior cricket days?
Loved playing as many days as we could, memories of terrorising batsmen in the front yard on dodgy lawn wickets. Under 18’S on Sundays at Valleys, good times.
When did you start playing grade cricket In Brisbane?
Marist brothers were right next to Valleys Yoku Rd ground, I used to ride my bike home through their training nets. I signed up for third grade when I was 16.
How did you progress through the grade ranks?
I made Valley First by the time I was 17 and Australian Under 19 the year after.
Did you have any mentors or coaches who were assisted your cricket?
Not really, the bowling coaches were pretty hopeless back then. No video and no Bio-Mechanics and the State Squad training environment was not conducive to players helping each other.
What were your cricketing ambitions?
I wanted to play for Australia like most young blokes.
Did you move to Tasmania to pursue cricketing opportunities? What were the circumstances around your move from Brisbane?
Tasmania made me an offer in 1982 during the Under 19 Youth Test Series v Pakistan, but my girlfriend wasn’t keen. When we got married she said we could give it a go.
Peter McPhee playing for Australia Under 19 v Pakistan in Hobart
Describe the circumstances the led to your first-class selection?
Over too many red wines, I told one of the Selectors that the blokes he was picking were hopeless and I would take 3 times as many wickets as any of them. Boonie won the bowling average one year!! Next thing you know I’m in!!
What do you remember about your first-class debut?
Bowling Mark Taylor with my first ball!
What were the challenges of playing first-class cricket and how did you deal with them?
Not really that many challenges, apart from getting selected. I probably could have done better political work when I was younger, but I’m kind of glad I didn’t kiss arse.
What was your best performance with the ball and what do you remember about it?
6 for 36 v Queensland at the Gabba. I remember beating them there twice and thinking how much the wicket suited my bowling and regretting that the Queensland selectors wouldn’t give me a game. I also remember winning a trip to Fiji as the player of the year taking a record 43 wickets for the Season. I also remember Colin Miller smashing that record by taking 70 odd in one season a few years later!
Colin Miller
How did your first-class career end?
I decided it was time to start a business career and a family so I retired at 29.
What do you think looking back on your first-class career?
Think I could have done better if I stayed off the beer and cigarettes, but they were fun too!
What preparation went into your game?
Lots of bowling in the nets, so I could perform in the middle.
Who were the teammates you particularly admired?
Funky Miller (good bloke), Nick Courtney (good bloke) Glenn Hughes (funny man, unusual housemate).
Who were the opponents you particularly admired?
The Waugh Brothers, talent and application. One had both, the other too much talent.
?What would you do if you were running Australian Cricket?
Start again and only employ people have played at some level for a long time and who love cricket.
What advice would you give to yourself as an 18-year-old?
Go full time and don’t worry about a career until after cricket, study externally whilst you’re playing.
Are you involved in cricket now and in what capacity?
No, would like to, but too busy working running our business - Natures Fresh at Rocklea Markets
You were selected in the Prime Ministers XI
Yeah I played in the Prime Ministers XI back in 1992 when Paul Keating was the Prime Minister against West Indies. We won by 3 runs.
