Geoff Foley - enjoy the journey and make the most of your opportunities
Dean Tuckwell | May 09, 2023
Geoff Foley was a popular and valued member of Queensland’s First Class & limited overs teams of the 1990s and played in 2 winning Sheffield Shield finals in 1996/97 & 1999/2000.
He burst on to the scene as an opener in 1990 scoring 155 against a Pakistan attack including Imran Khan, Waqar Younis, Abdul Qadir & Aaqib Javid and dismissed Imran in Pakistan’s second innings,
In an interview with the BBC in 2018 when asked if anything wakes him in the middle of the night, the Pakistan President replied the possibility of nuclear warfare with India and Geoff Foley.
Whilst many professional cricketers can find themselves at a loss at the end of their playing careers, Geoff played many seasons in the Lancashire Leagues using his time and connections to forge a career in the stockbroking industry and is currently an advisor with Ord Minnet in Brisbane.
What year you were born?
1967
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
I was 8 at Ferny Hills primary school. I just remember running in from the boundary to bowl thinking I was Dennis Lillee
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Ferny Districts Cricket Club up until I was 13 and then moved to Valley Cricket Club until 24 then University of Queensland Cricket Club until I retired.
I also spent many seasons in England playing for Burnley in The Lancashire League, Milnrow & Radcliffe in The Central Lancashire League and Chester in The Cheshire League as well as pro, groundsman, cookie baker and entertainer for Hudson’s Hollywood XI.
I also played for Queensland and Australia A
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I debuted at 13 for Valley 5th grade, very clear memories of getting bounced by Dennis Payne at Hilda road state school, baptism of fire!
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
At 16 for Valleys against Uni opened the batting with Kepler Wessels. I think I got 40
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Batsman, part time off spin bowler
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
195 for Queensland second X1 against SA second X1 at Adelaide No 2
What was your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I got 9 wickets bowling for Burnley in Lancashire League
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Malcom Marshall, Wasim Akram and Allan Donald. I felt out of my league had no control of my destination!
Wasim Akram
Who have been the best three spinners you have played against?
Greg Matthews, unplayable at SCG when it was turning, seemed that was the only place I ever played him.
Daniel Vettori, very subtle variations.
Shane Warne, never had to play him on a turning wicket so it wasn’t as great a test as it could have been, but easily most talented and had so much control.
Who have been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Steve Waugh, always got runs even on Gabba green tops.
Simon Katich, always got runs even on Gabba green tops
Sachin Tendulkar – Perfection!
Geoff Foley batting for Burnley in the U.K
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
The one that always comes straight to mind was Andrew Courtice and I think it was in a grade semi-final against Wests at full strength on a sub-par wicket. He got over 150 and it was unbelievable innings, I think the rest got 100 between them.
Was there any batsman in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted their wicket?
Darren Berry
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Peter Anderson
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Allan Border and Adam Dale
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Andrew Courtice, led by example, always played for the win, tactically very astute, understood people
Andrew Courtice
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Jimmy Maher
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Anything that came out of Merv Hughes’ mouth
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
Getting Mankaded two weeks in a row in English League cricket.
Who were your childhood heroes?
Allan Border and Viv Richards
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
If they were still alive Muhammed Ali, Keith Miller and Cliffy Young
Cliff Young
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Kerry O’Keefe
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Adelaide Oval
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Western Australia, during the 1990s there was a great rivalry between QLD and WA. When both sides were at full strength it was as good as standard as a Test match and no matter what the result the winning team would be first into the others dressing room and wouldn’t leave. Great group of people
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
Without doubt the friends I made
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
From a team perspective the 96/97 Sheffield Shield final in Perth which was the first time Queensland had won an away final.
Personally it would have to be bowling Brian Lara for a duck at the MCG – he still talks about it
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Radcliffe winning the Central Lancashire League for the first time in over 30 years
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
It’s difficult to narrow down but here’s a few:
David Cottee, Gavin Brown, Scott Prestwidge, Adam Dale, Michael Kasprowicz & Malcolm Francke
What are your hobbies?
Music, yoga, soccer, reading
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
I am a very enthusiastic (off-field) tourist with the Bulls Masters
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?
Ensure club cricket remains strong and the focus of selectors
Always a keen musician, Foley has also recently released his first single:
