Brett Tribolet - always be yourself
Auburn Cricket Club | June 26, 2023
Brett Tribolet has a long association with playing Sydney Shires Cricket with Auburn Cricket Club.
Starting out as a teenager Brett played over 200 games for Auburn and was a member of the first grade premiership winning team in 1989/90.
The name Tribolet is synonymous with Auburn Cricket Club as Brett’s father Dave was also played for the club and was awarded ‘Legend of Sydney Shires’ in 2006.
Let’s find out more about Brett’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1960
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I was 10 playing for Wentworthville Waratahs in local Parramatta District Cricket Association Competition. I can vaguely remember scoring a run off the first ball I faced and thought how cool that was. But I can’t remember how many I got in total but I don’t think it was many.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I played all my junior cricket with Wentworthville Waratahs and was lucky enough to represent the Parramatta District Cricket Association in the age group rep teams with quite a bit of team success.
My memory is not that flash but I think we won 2 or 3 representative competitions with pretty much the same bunch of lads all the way through. Then I was selected in the Central Cumberland (Parramatta DCC) Green Shield team and were runners up to a very strong Waverley (Eastern Suburbs) team.
From the age of 14 I was playing Junior cricket in the morning and then rushing to afternoon games with Auburn DCC in the Sydney Shires Competition which I played with for the next 30 years.
What other sports do you play?
Love a good game of golf plus I’ve been umpiring in the Shires competition for more than 15 years now and lucky enough to do some 1st grade premier cricket games.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in Sydney Shires?
I kicked off in 3rd Grade as at 13 years of age and remembering scoring 2 not out. Didn’t get a bowl.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in Sydney Shires and can you remember how you performed in debut?
Made my 1st grade debut at 19 scoring 18 not out and taking 2 wickets.
If you can share with us, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
My early junior years I was a top order bat and bowled a bit but as I got older I turned to spin bowling (some of my adversaries would say I was only a ‘slow’ bowler as I didn’t turn it much) and dropped down the order. Through most of my senior cricket I batted around 8 or9 in the order and was often called on to be the team nightwatchman, scoring a couple of 50s along the way. I didn’t have a great deal of natural ability but made up for it by listening to older and wiser players and giving it everything I had each time I stepped on to the ground.
Did you ever contemplate playing Grade cricket in Sydney?
I did contemplate playing grade as I was offered opportunities but my father Dave was the President of Auburn at the time and was keen for me to help young players coming through the grades. There’s a small part of me that looks back thinking how I would’ve gone in grade but all in all I enjoyed every minute I played for Auburn DCC.
Brett's father Dave made a tremendous contribution to Auburn Cricket Club and Sydney Shires Cricket
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
Playing 1st grade at North Epping Oval against a very strong Epping bowling attack I managed to score 77 not out after the side lost quite a few early wickets. I was filthy that our captain declared because I’m sure I was on track for my maiden 1st grade century. HaHa! This was one of those days where I was in the groove and hardly gave a chance. (This groove thing didn’t happen very often).
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
6 for 15 for Auburn 1st grade at George Parry Oval (Mona Park).
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Paul Notaras (Macquarie Uni) – he was scary quick! He would mix up absolute ‘peach” balls with balls being sprayed all over the place. Needed to be respected.
Richard Tregeagle (Burwood Briars) – he was one of the bowlers I feared the most. He could cut the ball both ways and swing it both ways. Being so tall he was also hard to pick up. Rarely gave you anything to hit.
Dave Gilbert (Epping) – Another quick with immense skill. Had a good short ball and was always at you. Had the respect of all our batsman.
Who has been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Gavin Ridley (Epping) – I think this was his first season with Epping after playing a lot of Grade Cricket in 1st Grade. He showed a lot of skill and confidence with his shot making by hitting balls to all parts of the ground. His experience showed and could be feisty at times which made for an entertaining days cricket.
Peter Toohey (Lindfield) – “Rats” was a class act on and off the field. He would score at will. When he came to the crease, he would just knock them around until he got his eye in and then usually exploded. Once he got going, he was hard to stop. I would mention to the younger players in our team watch him closely as he will show how to build an innings.
Bart Pozuelo (Burwood Briars) – A stylish but dangerous batsman who rarely gave a chance. He had one of the most fluent cover drives you would ever want to see. I remember a day at Rothwell when he got 80 against us in a session which was a masterclass. He was hitting 4s to all parts for fun. Not only was he a gun batsman he could bowl with the new ball and destroy a solid batting order easily with ball movement and control.
Who has been the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Tony Ross (Auburn). He was so athletic behind the stumps weather it was standing up behind the stumps or back for the quicks. I couldn’t keep count the amount of times he would be horizontal chasing one down leg or throwing himself across 1st and sometimes 2nd slips for a catch. He was rarely beaten behind the stumps and being a spinner, I was thankful he was there.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Dave Harvey (Auburn) – weather with the bat or ball he was a super competitor. There were plenty of competitors who would try to get under his skin but that made him more determined.
Glen Curtis (Holroyd/Wenty Blacktown) – don’t know a player who hit the ball harder but with such skill than Glen. He was also a handy bowler who was always at you and didn’t mind a bit of chirp to go with it.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Tom Wood. (Former Randwick & Cumberland). The experience he brought to Auburn was in abundance every time we walked out on to the field. His ability to read the game and all opposing batsman was uncanny. Plus had the added skills knock batsmen over with his leg spin at will and score runs when needed. A great leader especially to the younger players.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
There was an unnamed player in our club who decided to get to a game by borrowing a strangers car because someone forgot to pick him up at a designated address – if you get my drift.
Who was your childhood hero?
David Hookes. So elegant with the bat.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Lionel Messi, Roger Federer, Tom Brady.
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
David Lloyd.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
George Parry Oval (Mona Park) Auburn
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Burwood Briars. We felt they always had the best players and this would bring out the best in us. There was always a respectful rivalry between the two clubs – most of the time.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
The skills on show week after week and the comradery of your team mates.
What has been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Playing against Lindfield and taking 6 for 79 including the wicket of a future Australian captain – Mark Taylor. (We won’t talk about the century he got that day).
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Wasn’t so much a particular game but the 1989/90 premiership was so special. We hadn’t won a 1st grade comp in 26 years.
In a side note, Auburn this year won the 1st grade comp for the first time since our 89/90 success.
Who is your favourite sports movie or documentary?
Remember the Titans.
What’s the one thing about you most people don’t know about?
I was a part owner in two cricket shops in Sydney (Smithfield & Penrith) in the 90s and early 2000s. “Allround Cricket & Sports” was retail shops which also included one on one coaching academies.
What are your hobbies?
Spending time with my family and a hit of golf now and then.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Don’t try and be someone you’re not. Just be yourself.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
I’m currently umpiring in the Shires comp and have been for over 15 years now. Along the way, I’ve also been lucky enough to do some 1st grade Premier cricket and over 60s touring English v Australia games.
Brett far left - umpire 2nd Grade Grand Final in the 2010/11
If you were running Cricket NSW what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in NSW remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Put more resources in to grassroots cricket and bring back something like the old “Tooheys Cup” with current state players and ex State/Australian players going out to the country areas to play and put on coaching clinics.
