Chris Bettany - treat people how you want to be treated

Newcastle and Hunter Districts Veterans Cricket Club | June 27, 2023

Chris Bettany opens the batting and bowls tidy spin for the Newcastle & Hunter District Veterans cricket team.

Having recently moved to Newcastle from Victoria Chris pedigree in the game is very evident in his skills, leadership, and team camaraderie.

A tremendous team mate, let’s find out more about his journey.

 

What year you were born?

1962. Mansfield, Victoria. Nickname Banga.

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

I was in Mansfield Victoria. I was probably 10 or so when I started Saturday morning cricket and then represented Mansfield High School in school cricket. Not sure how I went, it was a long time ago.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

I started senior cricket at 15, playing for local sides in Mansfield and representative sides for the competition against other towns, i.e. Benalla, Wangaratta and Albury.

In Victoria we had two country week cricket tournaments, played in Bendigo and Melbourne. In 1983 we managed to win both competitions.

In 1986 I moved to Melbourne and played district thirds for South Melbourne where I opened the bowling and played with a young Damien Fleming. 1987-89 started with Caulfield Grammarians Old Boys.

In 1991 I moved to the UK and played for Hillingdon Cricket Club with the odd game with a mate of mine playing with Kew Cricket Club in the Thames Valley competition.

Returned home in 97 and continued to play with the Caulfield Grammarian Old Boys.

Then in 2007, started playing Vets cricket for Research. Moved to Newcastle in 2020 and started playing with Newcastle vets (which is my current club).

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

I was 15 in our local comp and the team was called The Socials.

At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?

We only had the one grade in Mansfield. I played for The Socials cricket club where I didn’t bowl and batted 11. Still to this day remember my first catch in senior cricket. I was at third man to a left hand bat and he top edged it to me. I took it and everyone ran towards me with massive smiles on their faces. (They were probably surprised smiles. Not unlike when I take a catch nowadays.) They threw me into the air they were so thrilled for me. Best feeling ever.

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

I’d like to think I was an all-rounder. Love doing both.

Chris last game for Caulfield Grammarians Old Boys 

What were your strengths as a player?

I think as a batsman who predominantly opened I never really feared anyone. I always thought I was only ever going to get myself out. As a bowler which I predominantly opened as well, I never gave anything away. Never bowled a no ball or a wide and made the batsman always play. No freebies.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

I got 146 for Kew CC (UK). Batted first that day. But my favourite inning was 140 not out for Caulfield Grammarians Old Boys against Sacred Heart Cricket Club. Chasing 270 opened up and carried my bat.

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

8 for 24 for Caulfield Grammarian Old Boys against Trinity Grammar. We had a bit of rain overnight and 22 blokes hovered around the toss which we won. In those days there was no limit on bowlers in 40 over matches and I would bowl 20 from one end.

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

Aubrey Martin. South African playing for Marlow CC (UK). Left arm quick. My mate was playing at Kew and they played against Marlow last game of the year which they had to win to stay up. Aubrey took all 10 and Kew went down.

Don’t know this guy’s name. Played for the Met Police up North. Their opening bowler used to open for Lincolnshire and he bowled rapid outies. Managed to get one through the covers to the boundary. That was the last one I saw in my half.

Gary Lidgerwood, Wangaratta CC. A massive slinger at pace. Pretty handy.

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

Jim Higgs. Playing for Caulfield Grammarians came up against Jim a few times when he was playing for Richmond. With his action you never got to see the ball until it was on you.

Nathan Guyett for Caulfield Grammarians. He had the best wrong’en I’d ever seen.

Dave Tompkins Hillingdon CC. He has probably taken over 1000 wickets in his career. Left arm orthodox. Gave you nothing.

Jim Higgs

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

Richard Macleod. A Kiwi playing for Harefield CC opening bat. We couldn’t get him out.

Matt Fry, Hillingdon CC. Opening bat who had no respect for bowlers from ball one.

Peter Tossol, Thornton CC. Left hand bat who hated getting out

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

Robin Sims, Ickenham CC. He got 200 against us one Sunday. Famous for coming on as a (sub) at Lords and catching Allan Border for one at fine leg.

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

No one in particular, but lately Darren Thomson from Hunter Valley vets. Gives you nothing.

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? 

Played in a reps side against a touring Indian under 19 side. Every bowler and every bat played like they had a point to prove. Incredible day.

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

My skipper at Hillingdon CC was pretty special. Kept up to the stumps to Gary Hales (father of Alex) who is a brilliant cricketer in his own right. And rapid

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

Barry Seymour (club pro). Probably the fiercest competitor on a cricket field that I know. He’ll get you a wicket when you need one and score runs when you need them, or take a catch at precisely the right moment.

Peter Tossol, Thornton CC. Just hated losing and did everything in his power not to.

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

Can’t recall anyone special. Over my career I’ve probably been the captain 75% of the time

Caulfield Grammarians Old Boys 

Who has been your funniest team mate?

Steve Varthalis, Caulfield Grammarians Old Boys. Probably one of the best drifters in the field I know. You’d put him in the covers and look up a bit later he’d be at fine leg.

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

Keith Pereira, Caulfield Grammarians Old Boys. I’d put him at short leg and that was it for the batsmen. Can’t ever recall him taking a catch in there but his chirp probably got us two an innings.

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

I was playing for Caulfield Grammarians Old Boys against Carnegie CC. Their skipper opened the bowling (flog) and I opened the batting. I blocked one back to him and he threw the ball at my stumps (as they do). I stood there and whacked it away. He appealed for obstruction and the umpire had to give me out.

Who was your childhood hero?

Prince Planet. He had the ‘P’ pendant around his neck which was his fuel.

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

Eric Cantona, Jason Day, Greg Norman.

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Alison Mitchell

What was your favourite ground to play at?

Trinity Grammar

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

Old Scotch CC. We hated each other.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Played in an Evening Standard cup against a Surrey side. They were in a better comp than us, they had Graham Thorpes’ two brothers playing for them. And we knocked them off, at home. I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a naked boundary run done that night.

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

Skippered a winning flag for Caulfield Grammarians Old Boys in 1999/2000 against Trinity Grammar. One of the biggest long weekends of my life. Team bonding Friday night before the game. I think the earliest we got home over the three days was 4am. We got 365 and bowled them out for 166.

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

It would be a great barbeque because I would invite everyone I’ve played with. I rate them all.

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?

The cricket is fierce but played in an incredible manner. For me, it’s just the people you meet. I have been blessed over my career and my new life in Newcastle is no exception.

What are your hobbies?

Golf, cricket, swimming and nowadays massages.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

Treat people how you want to be treated yourself, and everything my wife says.

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

Playing with Newcastle vets.

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?

A little bit out of my depth with this question, but to me making sure we do everything possible to make sure games are played. Implement ideas to keep the game moving forward and keep players interested.