Allister de Winter - make the most of first impressions
South Launceston Cricket Club | May 17, 2023
Allister de Winter made his first grade debut for South Launceston Cricket Club at the age of 15.
An extremely talented young all-rounder Allister represented Tasmania in under age cricket and went on to play first class cricket for the state.
Allister is a highly regarded cricket coach having worked with the Australian Cricket team and internationally with Bangladesh.
Let’s find out more about Allister’s journey in the game
Allister celebrating with Ed Cowan and George Bailey after Tasmania defeated NSW and won the Sheffield Shield Final in 2010/11
What year you were born?
1968
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Primary school game in 1978. I was in year 4 playing with the year 6 boys. My parents took the afternoon off work to come and watch me play. First ball duck and fielded at fine leg both ends. Not the best start!
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Grew up in Launceston and started playing for Westbury CC about 40kms out of town where I had some relatives. Played up to U13’s before deciding to play my cricket closer to home. I joined South Launceston CC, playing third grade as a 13-year-old. Moved to Hobart at age 20, playing three seasons at Clarence CC, and then moved to Kingborough CC to Captain Coach for 4 years. Retired for two seasons to spend time with young family, then returned to Captain Coach Lindisfarne CC. Finally retired in 2000 after the club’s first premier league flag.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
Third grade for South Launceston CC at age 13.
At what age did you make your first-grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
Aged 15. Scored 10 runs (1 x 6, 1 x 4) batting at number 8and bowled 6 overs 0 for 20. Steady enough!
Allister front row - far right, Australian Under 19 team in 1986/87
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
All-rounder
What were your strengths as a player?
I always felt I had the ability to lead from the front, whether with bat or ball. Particularly when you have a young group of developing players, I always prided myself on being able to take the pressure off for the kids.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
168 for Lindisfarne CC against Glenorchy at Anzac Park (Lindisfarne home ground)
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
8 for 29 for South Launceston against the arch enemy Launceston CC at the Cornwall Ground in 1987.
You played 21 first class games for Tasmania, can you share with us how you found out you’d been selected to play for Tasmania, who did you play and what do you remember about your first class debut?
In those days were played trial matches to select the State team. I remember I had a steady series of games, but never thought I would be considered for a spot in the squad for the McDonalds Cup. I can still see the tears of pride my Dad shed when he heard the news!
How do you look back on your first class career?
With lots of regret. Never disciplined enough or willing to do enough hard work. Probably didn’t understand what it took to be successful outside of natural talent. But had some wonderful moments and played against some of the great of Australian Cricket.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Geoff Lawson – always able to be effective, regardless of the wicket. Could swing it, seam it at pace. Mean as they come!
Merv Hughes – big heart, great endurance for a big bloke, just kept going all day. First ball and last ball always the same pace. Meaner than Henry!
Bruce Reid – never felt like you could play him of the front foot. Outstanding control and had all the tricks in his toolkit.
Marv Hughes
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Murray Bennett – who can forget the arm ball to dismiss Viv at the ‘G’?
Peter Cantrell – he had so many revs on the ball, you could hear it fizzing as it came towards you.
Tim May – control, spin, drift & bounce. Had it all.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Mark Waugh - silky
Stuart Law – elegant
David Hookes - brutal
David Hookes
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Mick Taylor 216 v SA at Adelaide. I was 12th or 13th man, but clearly remember how clean he hit the ball. The game was a 1 innings each draw. Tas 592 v SA 673. He made 900 plus that season.
Mick Taylor
Was there any batsman who for whatever reason always you to cause you a few problems?
Wayne Phillips just belted me every time
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Darren Berry. Hands, footwork and lip to go with it. Up to the stumps or back, brilliant.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in grade cricket?
The schedule in the 80’s was such that the Australian players were playing Shield matches regularly. Every game was a challenge. Bowling to some of the greats was intimidating and at times I wondered whether I was up to it. The gap from club cricket to Shield was so huge, particularly in Tassie.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Jamie Cox, Joe Scuderi
Jamie Cox
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Brian Davison. Fierce competitor, brilliant tactician, led front the front.
Brian Davison
Who has been your funniest teammate?
Glenn Hughes (we mostly laughed at him)
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Any game with Greg Matthews in it had the potential for a laugh. Weird cat, but outstanding competitor.
Who was your childhood hero?
Hard to go past my Dad!
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
(International) Billi Jean King, Tom Brady, Nadia Comaneci
(Australians) John Eales, Susie O’Neill, Cadel Evans
Cadel Evans
What was your favourite ground to play at?
SCG – love the history of the ground
Since retirement you’ve been involved in coaching and held very senior and high-profile coaching positions in Australian cricket and other cricketing nations. Can we ask, what your current role is?
I have just stepped in as Tasmanian Tigers Interim Head Coach after the departure of Jeff Vaughan, who is joining the National team. I will assume the role until the recruitment of the new coach is confirmed. I will then return to my usual position as Head of Pathways and Talent Manager.
Many cricket fans throughout Australia are keen to understand how cricket coaches in state programs value performances at premier cricket level opposed to state pathways. Are you able to shed some light from your own perspective?
From a Tasmanian point of view, we value premier cricket extremely highly. We are quite prepared to reward performance at club level and we run a Premier Academy Program that is designed to support the next tier of talent that is not on state contract. Nathan Ellis is a great example. He has come through our academy program, played for Tasmania and the Hurricanes and is now on tour with the national team in the West Indies.
Can you share with us from your experience the 3 characteristics you’ve seen in players that have helped them grow from a player with talent to become a successful international player?
Coachability – the ability of a player to take in information, process it and use that to enhance their skill and output.
Being prepared to fail, in order to succeed. The best players know that this is a critical part of developing performance outcomes and not plateauing.
Being a problem solver when under pressure. You can’t take your coach onto the ground!
Allister with former Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris
You were the head coach of the Bangladesh Under 19 cricket program. Can you share what that was like as an experience and do you see Bangladesh cricket growing into a more competitive team like Sri Lanka and perhaps India?
Bangladesh was a wonderful experience. The players have enormous skill and talent. Their challenge is to become better at the mental side of the game. Recognising critical moments and being able to manage their arousal level so they can make clear decisions consistently. Mushfiq Rahim, Sakib al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal were all in that U19 team. They have become world class players for their country. There are plenty more waiting for their opportunity.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
As part of the Australian team staff, Day 1 of the Lords Test Match in 2013. Incredible atmosphere despite the hammering we received.
Allister meeting the Queen at Lords in 2013
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Captain/Coach of Lindisfarne CC first ever Premier League title in the 50 over State Final of the Kookaburra Cup in 98/99. Some celebration!
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Rod Tucker, Michael Farrell, Chris Matthews
What are your hobbies?
The strongroom is my happy place! Road cycling.
The Strongroom
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
You only get one chance to make a first impression!
What in your opinion are the 2 most critical priorities across all states, counties and provinces in world cricket for cricket to prosper in the next 5 to 20 years?
Ensuring that we keep a balance between the short format commercial product that is T20/100 and maintaining a healthy level of long format cricket that still makes first class/test cricket the ultimate experience.
Facility development to keep pace with the growth of the game and to ensure we support young cricketers with quality coaching and education.
