Kirsten Pike - cricket nuffy
Dean Tuckwell | February 03, 2023
Stroll around the Brisbane bayside suburb of Deagon and you may come across a game of cricket being played at Kirsten Pike Oval, proudly named in honour of Sandgate/Redcliffe’s first women’s test cricketer. Kirsten was an accurate medium pacer who represented her country 37 times achieving great success in One Day Internationals where she took 34 wickets @ 23. A distinguished playing career is just part of her story as she is the first woman to be elected deputy chair of the Queensland Cricket board, fulfilling her fiduciary duties around a busy work life as a partner of major Australian corporate law firm Thomson Geer.
Pike was Queensland Fire player of the year in 2006/07 and toiled hard for 13 seasons finishing her career as Queensland’s all-time leading wicket taker. She was an integral member of the first Queensland team to win a national title, taking most wickets in the 2013/14 T-20 competition. She retired after the final against the ACT citing that there could be no better time and that she was sick of giving free conveyancing advice to her teammates.
She is fondly remembered by her fellow players:
“Chuck was a terrific bowler. She had a great change of pace and bowled consistent lengths and forced batters to change their plans - a real dot ball specialist” recalled former skipper and world class wicketkeeper and cynic Julia Price.
“You rarely saw her without a smile on her face and she was unhappy when others weren’t happy – it used to shit me, used to shit all of us actually no one could be that happy. We shared a room one night on tour and I made her sleep in the same position for the entire night lest she annoy me by moving. Still didn’t work – she woke up smiling & bouncing around - shat me to tears.”
Teammate Melissa Bulow agreed “KP had such passion for the maroon cap and bowled an impeccable line and length always seeming to eke out a wicket just when we needed it. She was always smiling and positive but used to put on this faux-aggressive body language if a batter was having particular trouble – it was quite embarrassing really. Then she would drone on and on about her “popper” – some mystery ball that she claimed would inadvertently shoot up from a good length. Used to shit us.”
"Well done KP, 'Popper'?
"Yep."
Kirsten is an avid cyclist and is a regular participant in The Chain Reaction Corporate Challenge, a long distance ride raising money for children’s charities.
Editor’s note: Pike refused to be drawn into speculation that as chief bridesmaid she deliberately & repeatedly dropped Melissa Bulow’s bridal train in the rain.
What year you were born?
1984
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Not really. I remember being about 15 or 16 and playing for the Sunshine Coast Scorchers in the 2nd grade competition. Other than that, I can’t really remember too much about the game.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I started playing when I was in grade 11. A girl in my grade at school was interested in cricket and played locally. Sensing I was quite the cricket snuff she invited me to a super 8’s day where I learned that women play cricket. From there I played a year with the Sunshine Coast Scorchers in 2nd grade, that team then folded and I headed to Norths (which then became Sandgate Redcliffe).
Before cricket, I played softball and it just so happened that my softball coach at the time Bob Gannon was friendly with Ken Dixon - the clubs shared training facilities. Bob then got me an introduction to Ken and from then on I shifted priorities from softball to cricket and played for Sandgate Redcliffe until I retired.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I was 17 and played for Norths. It wasn’t Norths as it is now but rather a mix of clubs from the north side of town. After a year, this team then became Sandgate Redcliffe. I was pretty nervous coming into this competition so I don’t remember too much about the game.
I was lucky to play with some of the past Queensland greats in Kelly Klibbe and Bronwyn Buckley during these early years and learnt a lot about the game and perhaps relevantly my place in it. Ailsa Rowell also still pulled the whites on during my time at the Club as well. I’m pretty sure no-one ever wanted to get out to Ailsa so she bought us a few wickets.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Medium pace bowler
What was your highest score & best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I have absolutely no idea. I’m sensing I should know this …
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Cathryn Fitzpatrick - She was a fierce competitor and the quickest bowler in the world at the time.
You knew when you were playing against her that she would never give in and whether she was bowling to the opening batter or myself down the order, you could expect her to be steaming in and trying to knock either you or the wickets over. A tremendous player and one I was also lucky enough to play with.
Karen Rolton - Rolts used to amble in and then produce left arm rockets that would swing both ways in the air and cut both ways off the deck. She was truly one of the most remarkable bowlers. I remember playing at Adelaide Oval and Pricey and Mel were opening the batting. I’m not sure how many overs Rolts bowled in that opening spell but she had the ball on a string and both girls came off with bruises upon bruises on their inside thigh and in Mel’s case (given her reluctance to wear a thigh pad) outside thigh. You would sit there and cringe each time it got whacked. The joys of being a lower order bat.
Jhulan Goswami - I’m not sure how tall Goswami is but it seemed like she was 7 foot tall when she would athletically run in and bowl the ball short of length. Goswami bowled with good pace but it was the bounce that she would get off a good length that set her apart from others. She really put India on the map and changed the game.
Cathryn Fitzpatrick
Who has been the best three spinners you have played against?
Shelley Nitschke - Shelby had a knack of picking up wickets with her left arm orthodox and would very rarely give too much away. Like all good bowlers, she very often got white line fever and you always knew that when she was bowling something would almost always happen.
Belinda Matheson - A talented off spin bowler who backed her skills and played with a load of confidence. Not someone to turn away from a battle, you always knew that when her team needed a wicket, she would be thrown the ball and inevitably, something would happen - be that chat, a wicket or a restriction of runs.
Lisa Sthalekar - Shaker was the ultimate performer and you never ever wanted to get out to her. Not a huge turner of the ball but she never gave you anything to hit and really compiled pressure on teams which ultimately produced wickets.
Shelley Nitschke
Who has been the best 3 batters you’ve played against?
Karen Rolton - As good as her bowling was, she was an even better batter. I remember bowling to her in a game at Allan Border Oval and I had a point, cover point, cover, extra cover and mid-off and she would still pierce the gap. She would hit over cover with ease and whilst not one to run the quick singles (unless it was to give her strike for the next over) her timing and placement was what any person playing the game would dream off.
Belinda Clark - Belinda made batting look effortless and it always seemed like she had more time than anyone else at the crease. A pleasure to watch but a nightmare to bowl to. She was also quite dogged at the crease and placed great value on her wicket. Whilst she didn’t have Rolts’ power, she would finesse the ball through gaps and accumulate runs with great ease. A pioneer of the game and one who truly deserves all of the accolades that go her way.
Melissa Bulow - It wasn’t a game against Wests without Mel piling on the runs and the mighty gators chasing a little red ball that was being whacked around in the hot sun for generally 40 overs. I say 40 overs because by then she generally felt sorry for us and would sky a chance whilst trying to clear the long on boundary for the 1000th time. Needless to say, by that time she was already on about 150.
Karen Rolton
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Other than any innings played by Rolts, I think it would be Mel Bulow’s century in both innings against SA in a WNCL weekend.
Was there any batsman in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted their wicket?
I think it’s fair to say any batter that played for NSW or Victoria. You always wanted their wicket and you always wanted to be on top in the competition.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I’ve played with and against some great wicket keepers. Sarah Taylor has the quickest hands - male or female - that I have seen and very early days I remember being impressed by Rebecca Rolls.
Having said that, I was fortunate to play a large amount of cricket with Julia Price behind the stumps and it’s hard to go past her. A good leader, quick hands up at the stumps and just someone who you had utmost confidence in. As a bowler, that instilled a lot of belief in you.
Julia Price
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
It’s hard to pinpoint just two players - I’ve played with so many skilful and highly competitive players that choosing two would do the balance injustice.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
They were more of a tandem act but I remember being in stitches when Angela Farrell and Julia Price would get together.
Who was your childhood hero?
Shane Warne.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Peter Sagan.
Serena Williams
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Ricky Ponting.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Allan Border Oval
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Domestically it was always NSW. Each time we were the underdogs and the NSW team would be, bar a few, effectively the Australian team so it was always good to go out there and play the best.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
I am a bit of a cricket nuffy so I just loved playing the game. To me it’s probably a mix of being out playing the game and the competition.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
There’s been a few but the 2 that come to mind are:
Being over in England and playing in Belinda Clark’s last ODI. The series was all square going into the final game and I remember taking the catch at mid-off to remove Clare Conner and secure the win for Australia, and
Playing in the 2005/2006 grand final against NSW. It was a 3 game series and 1 - 1 going into the third game. We had all but secured the win in the final game and lost by a handful of runs.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
The win against ACT in the T20 final as it was Qld’s first title in 2013/2014.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Jude Coleman, Melissa Bulow and Belinda Matheson.
What are your hobbies?
If drinking coffee and finding new cafes isn’t a hobby, I’d say it’s cycling. I’ve just got a new gravel bike so I’ll be spending some time on the trails this year.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Do the work, back your skills and have fun.
What is your current occupation?
Partner (Solicitor)
Let’s give your employer a plug, who do you work for?
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Yes - Deputy Chair, Queensland Cricket.
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?
Grassroots - ensuring funding and support is retained.
Premier Cricket - this competition is what develops our future Qld players. It needs to be strong and the pre-eminent competition.
