Paul Henricks - reverse sweeping and picking fights
Dean Tuckwell | December 12, 2023
Paul Henricks was an integral member of the Sunshine Coast Scorchers teams in the club’s first 7 seasons. Having been a dominant player in the strong Sunshine Coast competition for many years he soon adapted his game and found his niche in Brisbane Premier Cricket. Eternally positive & upbeat he could always be relied upon to lift the team’s spirits with a brilliant piece of fielding, a tight spell or vital breakthrough or even tripping over in the outfield or being dismissed in a farcical manner.
Beneath this easygoing exterior however lurked a serious competitor who was not averse to gamesmanship. Perhaps most notable was the night before an away game at Graceville, the Wests captain was forced to search Brisbane’s inner Western suburbs until 3am, Henricks cynically having fallen asleep in a garden near the Toowong restaurant at which they had been dining earlier in the evening. Having been suspected of consuming alcohol, Henricks later claimed to have been weary after having unpacked an unusually large shipment of Grippo earlier in the day.
Now heavily involved in Lawn Bowls, undoubtedly Paul is still the most popular member of the team and the first to buy the drinks at the end of play.
What year you were born?
1970
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
10 years old for Maroochydore cricket club with good mates Craig Ross and Steve Wilson.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Club cricket for Maroochydore juniors and seniors from 1980 and finished up in 2008.
2 seasons in England in 1991 at Huddersfield/Lockwood and 1993 for Farnworth Social Circle
1 season at Sandgate/Redcliffe in 1989/90 and 7 seasons at Sunshine Coast Scorchers.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
16 or 17 in first grade at Maroochydore.
19 in Premier Grade cricket for Sandgate/Redcliffe. I opened the batting with Trent Ryan replacing Trevor Barsby who was in the QLD Shield team.
Trevor Barsby
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Initially I was a batsman & spin bowler, but morphed into an all-rounder bowling mediums.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
147 for Maroochydore in my final year.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
5 wickets against Queensland University in our first year for the Scorchers and a few 5 wicket hauls for Maroochydore
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Rod Peterson playing for Maryborough, Eddie Mariner and Boyd Williams were the 3 fastest bowlers I played against.
Joe Dawes, Adam Dale and Andy Bichel were the 3 best.
Joe Dawes
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Brett Henschell at Valley
Mark Chamberlain at Sandgate
Also I faced Peter Sleep twice in England and on both occasions told the keeper that he was overrated & I was gonna hit him for 6. I made nought both times and only faced two balls..
Who were the best 3 batsmen you’ve played against?
Matthew Hayden, Martin Love and Andrew Symonds always made runs against the Scorchers.
I admired how coming back to grade cricket they still put so much value on their wicket and played so well, and were great blokes.
Was there any batsman in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted their wicket?
Bowling to Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds was always good fun.
Matthew Hayden
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I loved watching Ian Duncan keep for Wynnum Manly.
Craig Morrison for Maroochydore is my favourite though.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
I always admired Andy Bichel as a competitor
My teammate Troy Dixon is hard to go past though. Very hard-nosed but always encouraging, a lovely guy who became a great leader for our club.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Scorchers captain Jeff Thomas scored a hundred in a one day game in our first season. It was an unbelievably attacking and dominant innings (even more amazing because he was normally so boring and scratchy to watch)
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Dicko (Troy Dixon) and Thommo (Jeff Thomas) were both great, but my first 2 captains in men’s cricket for Maroochydore are my favourites, Kev Hackney and Mick Blundell.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
So many which is what made cricket so great. Lancashire legend Graham Lloyd though was the guy.
Graham Lloyd
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Brendan Creevey had great banter but an exchange with Brendon Shinnick* was my stupidest effort where I threatened to take him on.
*Brendan Shinnick was the Australian Police Heavyweight Boxing Champion & the size of a small SUV
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
Sadly I had many. Channel 7 on the Sunshine Coast came to all our away games so most made the nightly news. I tried to reverse sweep Paul Hutchison at Easts who was bowling offies at the time and got caught at 1st slip - didn’t look good.
I think that is worse than being bounced first ball in a senior game by a female opening bowler, hook shot, straight up in the air, out and deservedly received a send-off.
Editor’s note: Paul is far too modest - I don’t think either of these match the time he came down the wicket to a spinner, inexplicably tried to sweep, missed the ball & was stumped
Who was your childhood hero?
Allan Border was my favourite
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Phil Mickelson, Dennis Lillee and Andre Agassi
Phil Mickelson
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
David Gower
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Cotton Tree – Maroochydore CC’s original home ground
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Wests in grade cricket, Dean Tuckwell always had something fun organised. Lots of good people.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
The friendships made. Hard game cricket but so rewarding. Most of my good friendships came from cricket.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Coca Cola cup victory first year with Scorchers against a very good Queensland Uni side
We had a full bus load of fans travel to Wynnum, great fun and we defended 125 and won the game.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Troy Martyn, coach Ian Moffet, our shout after play every Saturday for 7 years and of course my good mate Tucky who would make most Saturday afternoon bbq lists
What are your hobbies?
Golf, bowls, beach life.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Have fun - simple.
Flirtation is the key to success in the bowls industry
What is your current occupation?
Bowler’s paradise - lawn bowls shop at Mooloolaba - been doing it my entire adult life.
Great sport. Most bowlers have been sporting people their whole life.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
No, life gets too busy although I just joined Queensland Cricketers Club so looking forward to seeing old faces and watching some good cricket. I still enjoy following Maroochydore and the mighty Scorchers.
If you were running Queensland Cricket what would be your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Continue to resource and strengthen country & grade cricket. The growth in women’s cricket is awesome.
About Dean Tuckwell
Former premiership first grade player with Western Suburbs in Queensland Premier Cricket Dean opened The Adventure Traveller in 2000.
In this crazy year it is important to support small business. With 30 years’ experience in the travel industry Dean has preferred arrangements with many suppliers, access to online deals not available to the public and a wealth of knowledge to ensure you get the most out of your trip so even if you only require a flight or accommodation, give him a call on 1800 181 020 or visit The Adventure Traveller
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