Bobby Wilson - competitor
Sorrento Cricket Club | April 11, 2023
Bobby Wilson is a highly skilled cricketer and one of the great competitors on the Mornington Peninsula. He’s a premiership winning player and has represented Victorian Country on numerous occasions.
Bobby was also selected and played for the Australian Country Cricket team
Let’s find out more about Bobby’s journey and insights.
What year were you born?
1985
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
9 Years old for Pakenham at Paky High School. I made 2 and was stoked
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I played most of my juniors at Pakenham before family moved to Mt Martha. I played at Moorooduc for 15 years with a couple of seasons at Frankston Peninsula DCC when I was 18/19 which didn't work out. I needed a change after being Captain and Coaching Moorooduc for 5 years and have been at Sorrento for the past 6 seasons. Also had a season in Darwin and a season in Yorkshire England
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
13 years of age playing E Grade at Pakenham
What was the highest grade you played and can you remember what you were feeling when you were selected and how did you perform on debut?
Highest grade would be Victoria Country at the ACCC Championships. I got picked in an Australian Country XI to play against a Brisbane Heat squad that included Ryan Harris. I faced an over against him and couldn't hit the ball and I got up the other end and tried to smash the other bloke and got clean bowled for a duck. Also dropped a very very high ball in the outfield so a great night overall haha
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Top order bat, I bowl some darts occasionally when our bowlers aren't getting any wickets
What were your strengths as a player?
Attacking batsman that puts the bowler under pressure. Will always do what the team needs at the time. Step up when needed
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
201 not out for Vic Country v South Australia Country in Bundaberg
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
5 for 17 for Sorrento v Baxter
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Ryan Harris - with a brand new white rock, the ball was fizzing and unplayable and he’s about 5 or 6 classes above
Mark Fulton - the quickest spell I’ve faced. I remember he bounced Joey Lane wearing a cap and it just missed his nose. I said to Joey at the end of the over that was close and he said "was it? I didn't see it"
Anthony Blackwell - when he first landed on the Peninsula he was fit and fast and had a quick bumper. As he got older he slowed down but so smart with keeper up and didn’t miss his spot and jag off the deck. I was lucky to play one season with the man and he took a 10 for 41 against Pines
Ryan Harris
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
John Forrest - just tight and never gives you a ball to hit a boundary. We had some good battles
Yohan Maddage - good variations and speeds
Kaine Smith - similar to Forrest, rarely get a bad ball and everyone loves Rama
John Forrest
Who were the best 3 batsmen you’ve played against?
Richie Oliver - County Player played Country Week for Geelong. He smashed 140 against us at Carlton on day 1 and it felt like every ball would be a boundary but just all beautiful cricket shots
Dan Warwick - Been the best bat in our competition for the past 15 years. To average high 40s on that old slow Baxter ground is a fair effort
Anthony Blackwell - Played against him his first game on the Peninsula and he casually peeled off 147. Made runs for fun
Special mentions Chris Brittain, can take the game away from you in 10 overs. Wade Pelzer - so consistent hard to remove & Ben Clements who makes batting look easy so consistent
Richie Oliver
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Playing with - Corey Harris scored 128 chasing Baxters 320 on a slow Sorrento wicket. He batted all day but got out with 10 to win which was a shame
Against - Luke Herrington smashed 185 against us one day and just smoked everything or Craig Friebe 130 against us in a Semi Final when we had made 230 and were heavy favourites
Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
This hurts me to say but Rhys Whitling. Not sure why but has got me 4-5 times and calls me his bunny whenever he gets the chance
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used?
Playing for Victoria Country v Queensland Country in Canberra we were 2 for 2. I was batting with James McNiel in and they had two fiery quicks and we batted for 3 plus together and put on 99. James ended up with a brilliant 127 not out and we got 299. We had them 7 for 200 the next day until one of their Country legends Sean Fitzsimmons made 152 off 142 and they finished 9 for 369. Bloody tough cricket
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen first-hand playing with or against?
With - Ben Tracy except when he drops the ball while celebrating and it gets reversed
Against - Charlie Parker at Mornington goes well
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
John Forrest - Love Oxs love for the game, his club and his mates. Plays the game the right way and we’ve had some great battles on field but he’s the first to buy a beer after the days play win or lose
Anthony Blackwell - I know it's been said but skill wise with the bat or ball he was always in the game and usually dominating but so polite and nice that you can't be angry when he’s smashing you
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Joey Lane - taught us how to play hard. Don't give a sucker an even break but also lead from the front with the bat. He was the major reason we went from Subbies to Provincial
Who has been your funniest team mate?
So many - Kenny Cremen, Joey Lane, Spud Atkins, Homer McCann, Myles Corduex, Justin Bridgeman, Lyle House, Leigh Poholke
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
I was reading Ricky Ramsdales story and it reminded me of a day at Moorooduc when we were struggling on and off the field. On this day we had no helpers, no scorer or anything and nobody had made the drinks up before play. So I’m fielding at mid-off and Rama is screaming at me about there being no drinks ready and I’m yelling back what do you want me to do ‘I’m fielding’ and he is telling me to come off and make the drinks and then sprayed me the whole drinks break as well. haha
Who was your childhood hero?
Ricky Ponting
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
LeBron James, Michael Jordan. Tiger Woods
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Ricky Ponting or David Lloyd
What was your favourite ground to play at?
MCG was special
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Premierships it's why we play cricket. Lucky to have 2 at Moorooduc, 2 at Sorrento and 3 with the Purples (Mornington Peninsula) at Country Week. All special
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Chasing 300 plus are always great wins and the Grand Finals but I’d have to say against POB in 2019 Semi Final, They were cruising chasing 189 and we took 8 for 25 to win by 2 runs. Amazing win
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Ben Williams, Kenny Cremen and Joey Lane
What are your hobbies?
Footy (just hanging on) Golf Family
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
There's always someone better than you so don’t get ahead of yourself
What’s your occupation?
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities be to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Have junior Cricket back to keeping score. If you’re out you’re out. Teach them how to win and lose properly and if possible a mixture of short and long form fixtures. Not all T20
Build the State side from within and stop recruiting players from other states. This brings players up the ranks quicker and builds depth through the state if everyone is being rewarded for performance
