Scott Prestwidge - love and respect
Dean Tuckwell | January 24, 2023
Queensland were sitting pretty at the halfway mark of the final of the 1997/98 Mercantile Mutual Cup (didn’t the name of that competition just roll off the tongue?). The bowlers were putting their feet up after a job well done having bowled NSW out for 166, Scott Prestwidge taking the final wicket in the 50th over to finish with 3/25. That relaxed sense of satisfaction didn’t last long as Queensland soon lost Maher at 13, Hayden 1 run later and who were quickly followed by Love, Law & Foley to have the dressing room scrambling, players who had expected to play no further part in the game fumbling to find their batting gear. Prestwidge joined Andrew Symonds with the score on 5/40 facing the very real threat of not just defeat but embarrassment. The ship is steadied somewhat but when Symonds falls with the score on 72, there is a long, long way to go before Queensland can allow themselves to think about lifting the trophy.
Keeping their nerve in a performance that would make Billy Moore & Annastacia Palaszczuk gush with pride, Prestwidge, Wade Seccombe & Andy Bichel inch their way towards the target with Presto hitting the winning runs in the 48th over. His personal achievement as much a reward for strength of character & perseverance as the result was a triumph of good over evil.
Mercantile Mutual Final Scorecard
Former teammate and reluctant charity function MC Geoff Foley is adamant that the young Prestwidge was considerably quicker than noted speedster Wayne Holdsworth having faced both bowlers in under 19s & Colts whilst playing for Queensland against NSW. A serious knee injury in his 20s that plagued him throughout his career necessitated a shortened run up and thus he was never as consistently quick but I can testify from first-hand experience not to be fooled by the ambled approach to the crease having been struck in the jaw first ball by a seriously quick bouncer. Competitive and confident, he was always searching for a wicket and never seemed to tire of bowling or throwing his arms up in the air cursing his bad luck whether the ball had beaten the edge or hit the middle of the bat. Immensely strong I still think Presto possessed the best arm I have ever seen in cricket.
Always willing to take on a challenge, in his 20s he moved from Sydney to Brisbane and started work in the financial services sector. In his 30s he learned the guitar and started playing soccer and in his 40s he became involved in charitable causes and played his only game of rugby. The rugby match was part of one such charity event that culminated in a dinner on the night of the match which Scott had been involved in organising and had agreed to compere. Despite the protestations (mainly consisting of “you’re mad – you’ll get knocked out”) of his ever sensible confidante Foley, Prestwidge took the field, was (inevitably) subsequently concussed and missed the dinner with the final insult being that a completely unprepared Foley then had to MC the dinner. A guest at the dinner was overheard saying that Prestwidge should still have done the job as he would have made more sense.
In his 50s, Scott has taken up full–time cricket coaching with Queensland Cricket and is close at hand to see the progression of his talented children Jack, Georgia & Will. Family is of utmost importance to him and it is very special to hear the warmth in his voice when he speaks of their success as it was when he would speak of his father whom he sadly lost a couple of years ago after a long illness.
Enter “Prestwidge” in an internet search and you will find countless links to Jack, Georgia & Will but delve a bit further and there is plenty of evidence that their old man could play a bit.
What year you were born?
1968
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Fairfield Under 10’s – 30 odd with the bat (Slazenger Polyarmour - Absolute cracker) and 3 wkts –
Coach - Billy Bennett (Dads oldest mate)
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Sydney Clubs
Fairfield Juniors -
Cabravale Diggers – Juniors / Seniors
Bankstown CC – AW Green Shield / Poidevin - Gray Shield / Men’s Grade 1 – 5
NSW 19’S
AUS 19’S
NSW 2ND X1
Adelaide Clubs -1987
Sturt CC -1st Grade
AIS Cricket Academy
SA 2nd X1
England Clubs – 1989 - 1990
Walshaw CC - 1989
Egerton CC – 1990
Brisbane Clubs – 1991
Wynnum Manly CC
QAS 2nd X1
QLD Bulls
COACHING HISTORY
Qld Pathways – Mens Youth
Gregory Terrca – GPS
QLD Fire/Heat - Current
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I was 16 and debuted in 5th grade for Bankstown CC
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
86/87 v Petersham, First 1st grade wicket – Bronco Djura caught 1st slip by David Thompson
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
All-rounder
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
Playing for Wynnum - 156 not out against Toombul
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
8 wicket haul for Wynnum
Adam Dale celebrates after Scott Prestwidge takes a wicket
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
David Gilbert- Bowled a heavy ball especially off the ridge at Pratten Park
Curtly Ambrose – Tall and fast and wanted to hurt you
John “Moose” Maguire – Got me out for fun
John Maguire
Who have been the best three spinners you have played against?
Abdul Qadir – I had no idea what he was doing, you could hear the revs on the ball
Shane Warne - total control
Daniel Vettori – unbelievably subtle variations
Abdul Qadir
Who have been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Steve Waugh – Ultimate competitor
Jacques Kallis –all class
Adam Gilchrist – If he was on it didn’t matter where you bowled – it went
Steve Waugh
Was there any batsman in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted their wicket?
Gavin Fitness - you knew he was going to fight for every inch which is what we all always love about him
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Peter Anderson – the silkiest hands in the business
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Mike Whitney – Took me under his wing when I first made the NSW squad. His favourite saying at the time with me was “keep working hard, every inch counts brother“. A man who will always have my total respect to the day I die – Absolute Legend!
Mike Whitney
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Stuart Law, Led from the front on and off the field
Who has been your funniest teammate?
Greg Ritchie
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Brad McNamara – England league cricket, a caught behind got turned down and he grabbed the ball, tossed it back to the umpire and politely asked him if he could remove the splinter from the ball
Who was your childhood hero?
Viv Richards and Dennis Lillee
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Greg Norman (Aussie Icon), George Best (Soccer Icon) and Craig Johnston ( Aussie soccer legend)
George Best
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Henry Blofeld
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Adelaide Oval or the SCG – Loaded with tradition and history
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Sandgate Redcliffe CC, it was always a bet to see how many players got reported
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
The friendships created from long days in the sun
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Winning the one day final v NSW in 1997 and receiving the Man of the Match award
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
First Grade Final - Wynnum v Uni at the Gabba – We got up on the last day (they could only bat 8 in the last innings due to injuries gained from the first innings)
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Geoff Foley – provides the music
Greg Rowell – provides the banter
Stu Law - provides good Bourbon
Geoff Foley
What are your hobbies?
Soccer and Surfing
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Love and Respect – My father lived by it
What is your current occupation?
Full Time Ass Coach – QLD FIRE /BRISBANE HEAT
Editors note - I think Presto means Assistant Coach
Let’s give your employer a plug, who do you work for?
I’ve been involved with QLD Cricket for almost 30 years, loved every minute of it and can’t wait for the next 30 if they’ll have me
