AJ King - play hard, celebrate harder
Sorrento Cricket Club | April 11, 2023
AJ King, (Andrew) is a local junior and played the majority of his cricket at Sorrento Cricket Club in the Morning Peninsula Cricket Association in Melbourne.
AJ is a passionate sports fan and a self-confessed cricket tragic.
What year you were born?
1990
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Not really but I think I was around 9 or 10 years old.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Played all my juniors and majority of my senior cricket for Sorrento Cricket Club. I had two seasons away at Tootgarook CC as Captain Coach. Lucky enough to play Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association Country Week also.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I debuted in the first XI at age 18 for Sorrento CC and unfortunately I broke down with a back injury. I took 1 for 7 and had another one dropped.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Opening bowler who was consistent.
AJ King bowling back in 2010
What were your strengths as a player?
High ball release which created extra bounce and still was able to swing the ball.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
Made 48 and choked. Think I’ve made four or five 40s.
AJ King batting
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I took 8 for 38 against Long Island for Sorrento but also took 12 wickets in a game including a hat trick against Ballam Park for Sorrento.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Richard Tibbett from Bendigo was seriously quick. I played against Sam Wood from Tallangatta who was around 46 at the time and bowled gas - he was a big stocky country lad. Darren Groves who took 400 premier wickets and Scott Phillips who is probably one of the Best MPCA players, are two from the local scene.
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Dwayne Doig took wickets for fun, he lobbed the ball up and blokes just kept running past them, Greg Lamb was a tall offie from Long Island who spun the ball and got great bounce and Lyle House- really tall leggie who bowled quicker than traditional spinner.
AJ King and his team mates celebrate a wicket
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Eamon Vines- was only 18 at the time but was a gun for Geelong in country week then.
Simon Dart- Amazing premier career and stacked the runs on locally.
Ben Clements- Just a freak who made runs at ease.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Bobby Wilson 150 not out in the 43 degree heat. Was horribly hot and I think we chased down 320.
Was there any batsman in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Dan Warwick from Baxter, tough to bowl to and could make runs very quickly.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to had to knuckle down to survive?
Yeah in Country week when we played on roads and used balls that did nothing after 5 overs.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I played with Rob Dunball he was the best pure keeper.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Nick Jewell and Scott Phillips
Former Victorian opening batsman Nick Jewell batting for Sorrento
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Nick Jewell by the Flemington Straight, he was tactically amazing and made you walk taller. Read the game before it happened.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Bobby Wilson on Country Week… leads on and off field
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
We got rolled cheaply against a lower side and then we took four or five quick wickets before stumps. One of their guys who was not out at stumps wanted to get off the ground quickly because we were on top and left his non striker alone in the middle who happened to be their best player. One of our guys yelled out “wait for your club” and he didn’t know what to do.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
Just the usual running passed plenty of spinners probably.
Who was your childhood hero?
Glenn McGrath
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Shane Warne, Chris Gayle and AB De Villiers
Shane Warne
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Bill Lawry or David Lloyd. Tactically love listening to Warney.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Love playing at Sorrento but probably say Melbourne Uni was a highlight. Warmed up on the Albert but was 12th man.
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
We play an annual game vs Queenscliff called “Battle of the Rip”. The rip is the water between Portsea and Queenscliff. It was mandatory to go out the night before then back up after you hopefully won. Always better playing away as you get the ferry, and you usually stop past the Sorrento hotel on the way home.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Being lucky enough to take 4 hat tricks. Have lost 7 GF’s so not them!!!!
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
We got rolled for 94 I think and the opposition were 3 for 80 odd and we bowled for 91..
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Leigh Poholke, Rhys Musgrave, Jayden Seers- something will happen
What are your hobbies?
Sport!!!! Live and breathe it much to my wife’s disgust.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Play hard and win, then celebrate harder with your teammates!!
What is your occupation?
Capital Edge- we sell house and land packages for homeowners or investors.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
I have had the past three years off due to a knee injury that I have had since I was 12 but with the new job I am going back to play. Last couple of years I have been commentating on MPCA cricket.
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Local cricket- Keep it to a one-day format so it is an even playing field for all on the day and bring back the atmosphere of having crowds watching a result each week. Juniors- more participation in the games for under 10s and 12s so they don’t get bored and hate cricket straight away.
Premier Cricket- First and seconds only. Have it like the old VFL league where players missing out go back to their home clubs to play but are on the list to develop at premier clubs.
