Chris Torrisi - playing and coaching cricket has taken me all over the world

Dean Tuckwell | June 18, 2023

Chris Torrisi was a dashing top order batsman for Wests & University in the 1990s & 2000s. Always a solid contributor his game really clicked after joining UQCC and was unlucky not to have received higher honours after a series of high scores including coming agonisingly close to a rare first grade double century. 

Chris also spent 3 seasons in England to improve his cricket and 4 in Ireland to further his appreciation of Guinness & Morris Dancing. Having held off getting a full-time job as long as he could the real world finally caught up with Tossa who is now married with 2 children and an Australian Border Force agent in Brisbane.

What year you were born?

1975

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

My first game was for Centenary CC under 10’s versus Souths. I was only 8 years old and made 24 runs.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

In my early years I played for Centenary CC and lots of zone cricket for Brisbane West Region and Brisbane South. In my senior playing days, I played every Grade from U18’s to 5ths through to 1st Grade for Wests and then finished out in 1st grade with University. I played QLD U17 and U19. I also played cricket in the UK for Alton CC and then in Ireland for Merrion CC, Trinity Uni and Phoenix CC. I thoroughly enjoyed coaching at the senior and junior level including the Irish Women’s Cricket Team.

Chris with former West Indies captain Jimmy Adams

In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?

I made my Grade cricket debut when I was 13 years old for Wests in 5th grade. I made 15 runs and remember thinking how big the adults were and how bad their moustaches were.

At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?

I made my 1st grade debut when I was 18 years old for Wests against Sandgate Redcliffe. They were an exceptionally good team and had a fantastic bowling attack. I opened the batting and Joe Dawes bowled me around my legs for 12 runs.

If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?

I would consider myself a stroke making top to middle order batsman. Did not mind a cut shot, sweep or a big cover drive. (Sometimes my downfall). Loved fielding at short leg and anywhere in the ring – especially backward point, midwicket or cover. Couldn’t bowl but was always limbering up ready to go.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

My highest score in senior cricket was in 1st grade for University versus East Redlands – I made 198 before chopping onto my stumps off the bowling of a young Shane Watson. Gutted!

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket? For which club and where

I only bowled a handful of times in Grade cricket, late on day 2 when it meant nothing. I did take the wicket of Greg Rowell, nicking one to the keeper. This was excellent bragging rights for me as we all know how seriously Rowelly took his batting – probably more so than his bowling!

Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?

This was a very hard question as all 1st grade fast bowers were of excellent standard.

 In no particular order:

Scott Prestwidge – bowled a heavy ball and was always at you. Could move it both ways off the seam at good length. It was always a good contest with Presto.

Mitchell Johnson – unpredictable, very fast and when he swung the ball, totally unplayable.

Adam Dale – fantastic consistency with line and length. Moved it both ways. Very hard to score off. Also had a surprising bouncer which was a few yards quicker than his stock ball.

Adam Dale

Who has been the best three spinners you have played against? 

In no particular order:

Scott O’Leary – fantastic off spinner. Very consistent and made you work very hard for your runs. Had excellent, yet subtle variations.

Daniel Vettori – I had the pleasure of playing against Daniel in England. His speed and then drop on the ball was the best I’ve faced. Plus, he could turn it past your bat with ease.

Paul Jackson – I had the pleasure of playing with and against Jacko. He was a very deceiving spinner with some nice tricks up his sleeve. He was one of those spinners that you thought you had the better of until he got you out.

Who has been the best 3 batsmen you’ve played against?

Stuart Law – I never played against Stuey when he didn’t make runs. Just so much time, so much ease, so much class.

Martin Love – Once again, the ease and time these guys have to play the ball is unbelievable. Lovey was just a picture of technique and beautiful to watch. Could put the ball anywhere he wanted.

Andrew Symonds – I played lots of cricket with and against Symo. I loved his style, he went after the ball and hit it very hard. Had all the shots and when he was on, nothing could stop him.

Martin Love

Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Wade Secombe was a great gloveman. Fantastic back to the quicks and up to the stumps. A master of technique, great foot movement and hands. Never saw him drop one!

Who are the players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?

Greg Rowell was an excellent bowler, had great speed, bounce and skill. His competitive spirit was second to none. You always knew you were in a contest with Rowelly but he never took it too far and always a gentleman off the field. 

Michael Kasprowicz and Martin Love are hard to split. Both had unbelievable skill. What I loved about them both was that it didn’t matter whether they were playing for University, QLD or Australia, they always put in 100% and loved chatting with the lads in the dressing room. Two of the nicest guys ever.

Greg Rowell

Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?

Steven Farrell and Craig Phillipson were excellent captains. Could read the play very well.

Who has been your funniest team mate?

Dave Langford-Smith. Lanky is an Aussie from Orange that I had the pleasure of playing and living with in Ireland. Great fast bowler who went on to represent Ireland in the World Cup. He has a saying for everything and an extraordinary way of sledging without overstepping the mark. Loves taking the piss out of himself and his own team mates in the sheds. Just an awesome sense of humour.

Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?

Sorry Tucky, there are too many to choose from…

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

I stood on my stumps facing Andy Bichel in a 1st grade grand final. I threw my spikes in the bin after that one!

Who was your childhood hero?

My cricket hero was David Boon. I loved watching him bat and field at short leg. He had fantastic ticker and I always loved his cut shot.

Other than that, Michael Schumacher was always a hero of mine. Great competitive spirit and fight.

David Boon

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Easy, you can’t go past the great Richie Benaud for obvious reasons.  

What was your favourite ground to play at?

University of QLD CC Number 1 oval was always a favourite of mine. The wicket always looked long for some reason.

Was there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against? And if you could add a few words to why?

I always looked forward to playing Wynnum. They were a fantastic team with good players at every turn. It was always a great contest against Wynnum, you always knew exactly what they were thinking. If I scored runs against them, I knew I had done well, physically and mentally!

What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?

Firstly, there is nothing better than scoring runs against quality bowling. Secondly, playing and coaching cricket has taken me all over the world and allowed me to meet, coach and play with some great people. I always loved the time in the sheds with my team mates having a laugh and a beer. That’s where most of my great memories are.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Winning a few first grade one day premierships were the best moments without a doubt.

Also making my top score in 1st grade of 198 at Easts was a memorable day.

Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?

Easy, my 3 good mates Lachlan Stevens, Steven Farrell and Scott O’Leary – If I can, I’d add Dave Langford Smith and Nathan Reardon for entertainment value.

What are your hobbies?

Watching Formula 1 racing and taking my 10 year old son to the nets.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

Know your own game and play to it.

Also, ‘it’s not practice that makes perfect, its perfect practice that makes perfect’.

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?

Make sure junior cricket has the money and facilities to survive and nurture the up and coming cricketers of the future.

Pick people on performance and merit, not just on pathway cricket and hearsay – cream will always rise to the top!