Brad Bannister - work hard

Merewether District Cricket Club | April 12, 2023

Brad Bannister made his first grade debut in Newcastle at the age of 19 just two years after playing his first real game of cricket.

It’s been quite the journey and Brad now playing veterans cricket still enjoys the camaraderie and mateship of the game he loves. 

What year you were born?

1970

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

Yeh it was a school game and I only got picked because there was no more players who played on the weekends (I didn’t play junior cricket on the weekends). It was on coir matting and I just remember how much fun it was to be out there. Can’t really remember how I went.

First played a proper match at 17 in a mate of mines dad’s City and Suburban (C&S) team (basically Newcastle’s version of Shire Cricket). Did pretty well scoring 48 opening the batting and got my name in the paper which was pretty cool.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

I played for many clubs because I do see cricket as a great journey. After a couple of years playing the lower grade C&S stuff my mate who got me into it was invited to a grade club in Newcastle (Lambton – New Lambton which is now Wests Cricket Club). I went along to watch him train and give him moral support. I was sitting on the fence watching and another player asked if I wanted to come and have a bowl.

Two weeks later we were both playing in a first grade trial and the week after I was picked in first grade and made a match winning 52 batting at seven and was in a new club record partnership with a wonderful player who is now one of my best mates.

Within two years I was an overseas pro in Dumfries in Scotland and up until my retirement at 42 I never played a game other than first grade or higher anywhere in the world.

I have moved around a bit. Playing for Lambton New Lambton, Wallsend, and Belmont in the Newcastle First Grade Competition, Gold Coast Dolphins in the QCA Brisbane Grade Competition and Captain Coaching Broadbeach Robina in the local Gold Coast Competition.

Also captained coached Norths Maitland when I moved up there for my first teaching gig. Spent four years in the UK being a club pro for Dumfries and Selkirk in Scotland and a little short stint in Arundel in Sussex.

Played many years of representative cricket for Newcastle as well as three tours for NSW Country at the Australian Country Championships. Now enjoy playing the Veterans Over 50’s stuff.

In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?

19 in First Grade in Newcastle. Never played a second-grade game anywhere in the world until after my retirement and coming back to help out in lower grades when teams were short.

On debut we bowled first and I bowled 9 overs and took 0/20 and thought I did a reasonable job. The other side scored 252 in their 100 overs which back in 1989 was a winning score. We were in deep trouble at 5 for 70 odd when I went in and basically met our charismatic number three Jeremy Barnes for the first time.

At the time Barnesy was our clubs next big thing in batting and was playing rep stuff at 19. We put on a club record partnership for our wicket with me scoring 52 and Barnesy 116 to get us home. We are still best mates to this day. As a matter of fact, I am writing this from his place right now after a few beers last night and many more to come today. Not many more runs that year but finished the first grade season as the competitions second highest wicket taker after the great Robert ‘Dutchy’ Holland.

If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?

Allrounder, finished my first grade career opening both the batting and bowling. Played tough, probably sledged a little too much to be fair upon reflection.

What were your strengths as a player?

Toughness and never giving up. And squeezing the lemon dry in terms of my raw ability.

?What was your highest score in senior cricket?

219 in a one day match playing for Norths in Maitland at the magnificent Lorn Park. Only 31 runs not in boundaries that day.

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

8 for 28 for Lambton New Lambton at Harker Oval and the other two wickets were run outs. Pretty pleased with that outing.

Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?

Andy Bichel – Strong, quick, swung it and kept coming all day.

Brett Boardman - (University of Queensland) he was very swift. I remember playing him and batting with Scotty Muller and Scotty told me in a pretty straight forward manner that I was facing all of Brett that day.

Chris Swan – heavy ball and swung it a lot. Played more with Swanny than against though.

Some notable omissions from this list include Mark Cameron whom I mainly played with, Michael Hogan, Josh Hazlewood who I played just before his career took off and a few good ones back in the day in Newcastle including Kevin Bray, Cardigan Connor, Paul Wilson, Tony Parker, Darren Herbert, Burt Cockley and a few others.

Andy Bichel

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

Robert Holland – Just back from playing for Australia and me straight out of C&S was a bit of a mismatch to be fair. Highly skilled and so much control for a leggie.

Steve Storey – He had a season in Newcastle after he came back from playing with Queensland where he took over 70 wickets in a less than 15 game season. He was unplayable and his arm ball swung outrageously.

Tim O’Neill – Played against Tim when I was in Newcastle and he was playing for Merewether. Left arm orthodox and had so much control and you never felt like you never could get to him on the full.

Bob Holland

Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?

Greg Geise – Such a talent and an amazing player. Scored so many runs in Newcastle and Sydney and turned out for NSW. Talking to many old players, they reckon he could have easily played for Australia given the right circumstances. Was lucky enough to play a season with Greg back in ’91.

Stuart Law – Probably had a corridor of two centimetres to bowl in.

Matthew Hayden – Just loved to bat so much and therefore gave us bowlers absolutely no chances. Such a big dominating figure as well.

Honourable mentions for Simon Moore, Mark Curry, Greg Arms, Glenn Grimmond, Rhys Soper, Jeff Pfaff and Michael Gerits.

Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Geisey scored back to back double centuries in ’91. 272 the first week and 200 not out the next week. It was unbelievable to watch and to get to bat with him during those innings was pretty damn cool for a young bloke.

Andrew Symonds scored 160 odd not out in a one day game versus Toombul one day when I was playing with him for the Gold Coast. Total dominance and the umpire had his car moved because he was afraid of the damage it might get.

Simon Moore – Played an innings for NSW Country in Perth that was awesome. We were playing Victoria and were chasing 350 odd and our two opening bowlers had broken down. I bowled 30+ overs that day and as we were walking off we had 10 overs to bat in the day. Simon was batting three and our captain in his wisdom decided that I should bat three to ‘protect’ Simon. I politely asked if he’d noticed that I had bowled so many overs in extreme heat.

Simon piped up and said he didn’t want or need a night watchman. Suffice to say we batted the night out and didn’t need either of us. The next morning Simon asked how I was feeling and I replied with ‘rubbish’. He quietly told me that I wouldn’t need to bat today even though I was batting seven.

He proceeded to take the Vics down scoring 150 odd not out and we passed them about three down. I didn’t have to get out of my shorts and thongs all day. Also spent plenty of time on the massage table that day.

Simon Moore

Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always you to cause you a few problems?

Tim O’Neill again, just never felt like I could get to him. I went on to coach Tim and we have become great mates. Crafty old bugger who is still killing them in Newcastle First Grade.

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 and you really had to knuckle down to survive? 

Playing for the Dolphins in my first away game up there. Our first and third grade teams always travelled to away games together on a massive coach. Our captain Jeff Pfaff (a wonderful player in his own right) used to give us all an individual rundown of what our roles were for the match and how we should approach the day. I remember reading mine on the way up to Souths and I was batting four. Pfaffy’s plan was for me to bat after lunch. Andy Bichel was coming back from Test or Shield duty and it’s fair to say that our ‘plan’ only partly worked. We won the toss and batted but I faced the fourth ball of the innings. Which is a long way from lunch. Peter Parker was umpiring and as the time went by he commented that I had done well to get us out of a hole and that surely Bic’s spell would be finished soon. It was 35 degrees plus that day and bloody Bic bowled the entire first session. It was a massive step up, but making it through the whole first session was a great feeling.

Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Can’t split three of them and all for different reasons.

Simon Moore (Merewether, Newcastle and NSW Country) again, wonderful athleticism, great reach and awesome up to the sticks to the medium pacers.

Shane Burley (Lambton New Lambton) tough, tough, tough. Stood up to the stumps to everyone including Mark ‘Scud’ Cameron. So some would say mad as well. Easily one of my best mates too.

Damien Wallis (Gold Coast Dolphins) simply outstanding. So athletic and tough. Great teammate as well. Loved playing with Wal.

Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?

Andrew Symonds – what a pleasure it was to spend two seasons with him before we had to move back to Newcastle for family reasons. So skilful, humble, funny and competitive. An amazing teammate too. Didn’t matter if we were playing against one of his shield or international contemporaries, he was fiercely on our side. Loved playing with Roy.

Steve ‘Slug’ Mace – in terms of skill he was not at the top of the tree (I mean that in the most respectful way Slug) but boy is he tough. Gave the opposition absolutely nothing. Horrible to play against but I just loved playing in the same teams as him.

Andrew Symonds

Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?

Steve Clarkson when I moved to Belmont. Clarky knew everything about all the other player in the comp. I remember when I first moved there he commented that he had always wanted to captain my bowling because he had so many plans against each batsman. They mostly worked too. Also played tough and never gave an inch.

Who has been your funniest team mate?

Shane Burley – M-A-D

Duncan McIllveen – Such a quick and cutting wit

Andrew Symonds – so much fun to have around

Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?

Playing for Newcastle v Illawarra one day and we took a wicket pretty early. The number three came out and played and missed at the first few and looked in bits. Duncan McIllveen was bowling and calmly walked down to the batsman and asked if the real number three was having a shit when the first wicket fell? Still brings a wry smile to my face.

Many more that probably aren’t fit for publication though.

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

I remember shouldering arms one day in the second innings of a match at Number 1 Sportsground in Newcastle. The ball leapt off a length and hit my back elbow and came down on to my stumps and bowled me. As I was walking off the fella at cover casually asked me if that was a pair for me in the match. I took a moment and realised it was. The boys from both teams thought it was all a great laugh.

Who was your childhood hero?

Steve Rogers – the Prince of Center’s. I was a league kid growing up and just loved watching Sludge play. He seemed to glide across the ground and he made me love the Sharks to this day.

Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?

Usain Bolt – It’s some title ‘The Fastest man on the Planet’

Ayrton Senna – Met him once, but would love to go back and spend some more time.

Steve Rogers – Would love to go back and meet my hero.

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Skull – makes me laugh every time, but knows so much about our great game.

What was your favourite ground to play at?

SCG – What a place.

What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?

Queensland playing for NSW Country. Always tough 100 over games and they never gave an inch. It was certainly a massive rivalry.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

A few stick out:

Winning the Newcastle District Cricket Association Player of the Year twice with some great players also playing and in contention.

Hitting a six to win the game off the last ball of a one-day final in Maitland. Unbeknown to me it also brought up my 100 after getting 5/20 whilst bowling. We had needed 5 off the last ball to win, so six was enough.

Fielding for NSW and South Australia in Shield matches as 12th Man when Shield games were in Newcastle.

Scoring 219 for Norths was pretty amazing.

Playing with and against some amazing players is a highlight.

What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?

Once again, a couple spring to mind:

In my first season in grade we were defending a paltry 126 v Belmont and they were 4 for 120 and the skip threw me the ball. They only scored two more runs and we bowled them out. I finished with 6 for 26 and remember being swamped by my teammates.

A couple of NSW Country Championship Finals playing for Newcastle turned into some pretty cool bus trips home.

Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?

Easy:

Shane Burley, Simon Moore and Andrew Symonds

You’re now playing over 50s cricket, what the best part of playing veterans cricket and what advice would you offer anyone over 50 who is thinking about playing again?

It’s great fun, players of all abilities but at the same stages of our lives. To me it’s like a big Sporting Men’s Shed. So good for men’s mental health.

What are your hobbies?

Snow Skiing – Absolutely love it. Now we live in the mountains I go most weekends. So much fun.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

Work hard, in Australia it doesn’t matter where you come from, you can be anything.

What is your occupation?

Primary School Principal at Delegate Public School in the Snowy Mountains of NSW.

Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?

Over 50’s Veterans for Newcastle and NSW. Playing and still loving it, even though it hurts more these days.

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?

Acknowledge grade cricket performances more.

Acknowledge country cricketers more and not make them move to Sydney so young. Leaving them in the country for a bit to play against men would be much more beneficial than being thrust into the lower grades of a massive Sydney system.