Stephen Leathley - make the most of it and have a go
Newcastle and Hunter Districts Veterans Cricket Club | April 22, 2023
Stephen Leathley is the proud founder of Newcastle & Hunter Districts Veterans Cricket. Lethal has he is affectionately known is full of energy, loyal and a cricketer who likes to compete, always respectfully.
Let’s find out more about Stephen’s journey in the game
What year you were born and where?
In 1967 at the Bethesda Maternity Hospital in Marrickville. Dad was a bank manager and we moved to Gulargambone when I was quite young, so never really stayed in one town for long.
What is your nickname?
Leathal
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
Yes, I was 11 or 12 playing in the U14’s competition on Riverglade Oval at Tumut. All I can remember is an older kid, Stan Russell, bombing them in my direction and wishing he would hit the ball somewhere else. No recollection of what I did at all.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I have always loved playing sport and being active. Not just cricket, but I played first grade rugby and I currently play of a 4 handicap in golf. I have never been outstanding at any sport, but like my mum, competitive enough at pretty much anything that took my interest.
I have played cricket for over 40 years, at many clubs – Tumut, Wyong, Armidale, Nelson Bay, Richmond, Kotara, Merewether, SCG XI, the great Mandalong Lawyers, Wine Country and now the Newcastle Hunter Valley Veterans. I don’t have any cricketing ‘pedigree’, I played mainly for the enjoyment of the game and to be around my mates and enjoy their company.
When I left school, I went to Uni at Armidale and played for Austin College. We dominated cricket winning the Presidents Cup about five years running, never losing a match. During summer break I played the odd game of lower grade cricket at Wyong, but was working mostly on weekends, saving money for a good time at Uni, so not a lot of cricket for me during those days.
When I left Uni, I moved to Nelson Bay, and was probably more into my Rugby back in my early to late twenties than cricket. Played suburban cricket for Nelson Bay with a few rugby mates. I opened the bowling and would pick up a bowling awards most seasons. That was pretty much my story until I was in my late thirties and joined the Kotara Cricket Club in the Newcastle suburban cricket competition. Our side dominated, winning three GF’s in a row, and we found ourselves in A grade, and were in the Grand Final in our first season. I dislocated my knee and missed that one. By this stage I was an all-rounder bowling first change and batting in the middle order. Picked up a MOM in one of our GF’s with 4 wickets and a top score and not out to get us home.
We were not pampered with well-prepared covered wickets like the ‘Grade cricketers’ that are covered in most of these interviews, no, our wickets were more often than not prepared the morning of the game, wet, and you had to contend with a swinging seaming 2 piece ball. Compared to grade cricketers, us suburban cricketers are the bare knuckled street fighters.
The Mighty Kotara Hornets after winning the 2010/2011 GF – I have the Gold GF MOM cap on
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
When we finished U16’s at Wyong, they played us in 3rd grade. I never really played a lot of ‘grade cricket’. I went across to Ourimbah to play second grade when I was 18, but as a kid with ADHD, standing around all day in the field playing two day cricket was not for me. I then went to Uni in Armidale and then moved to Nelson Bay, and there was only one day suburban cricket options which suited me fine. You get to bat and bowl and get a result in a day, and finish it off with a few beers with your mates afterwards.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
That has changed over the years. When I was a little kid, I wanted to be Dennis Lillee, but as the smallest boy on the team, that was never going to happen, so I was batsman. Then I was an opening bowler, and as I matured, an allrounder.
What were your strengths as a player?
I had a pretty good strike rate as a bowler playing suburban cricket, so seemed to be able to get a wicket when we needed one. With bat, when I get going I can score pretty quickly, and I feel like I can take the game away from the opposition.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
Ha, last year at the age of 52 I scored 142 for Merewether 5th grade at Cardiff No. 2, and I scored a century the year before as well, only took me 40 years! Playing suburban cricket and batting middle order it was normally my job to push the scoring along, or hold an innings together depending on the circumstance, so not many opportunities to score big.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
At Uni I got a 7 for in one game. Playing 40 over cricket and being limited to 10 overs as a bowler, getting 5 wickets is a good feat, and I did that on a few occasions.
Who was the fastest bowler you have played against?
I played a game for the SCG XI at the SCG a few years ago against the Honk Kong Cricket Club and they had this opening bowler who played County cricket and apparently bowled 140km/hr. Stuart Clark was captaining us that game and got out LBW to him on the last ball of one of his overs, then he skittled our next batsman first ball of his next over.
So, I found myself trudging out onto the SCG to face the hat trick ball. Russell Grimson was at the other end and said to me ‘play forward, he will pitch it up’. Well, Russell was right, it was pitched up, but it was through me before I got a chance to get forward, quickest ball I have ever faced by far, wrapping my back pad on the knee roll. Arthur Watson was umpiring and gave me not out. Not sure what part of middle stump it would have been missing. Maybe Arthur is a bit if a sadist and just wanted to watch me face the rest of that over, which I did, somehow. I actually really enjoyed the challenge.
Who was the best three bowlers you have played against?
I have played against a lot of good bowlers, but I think most would agree the best playing in the Newcastle suburban competition was the big left armer from Merewether, Lyle McGuigan. We played with a two piece, and Lyle was seriously unplayable at times. I can remember him bowling what I thought was a lovely half volley outside off stump one day at Marylands and aiming up for a big cover drive, only to see my leg stump cart wheeling across the ground. In a GF a few years back he got 4 wickets in the first over of the match. He seriously swung it what seemed almost a yard, at pace, and with kick.
For a few years there Merewether also had another handy left armer, Ashley Baverstock, who was the same as Lyle bowling big left arm hooping inswingers, at a reasonable pace. Merewether were dominant for a number of seasons with those two.
Dave Sullivan from the Journeyman was also a very good bowler and I see he is still leading the wicket takers in suburban cricket in Newcastle.
Lyle McGuigan bowling
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Steve Mace is on top for sure. Steve played 1st Grade cricket in Newcastle until he was 49, and I play against and with him now in the veterans. Just a class above anything I have ever seen, lovely bloke and as tough a competitor you will see. Values his wicket very highly, and always score runs. There were plenty of good bats I played SCG XI with as well, including Simon Katich at Bowral one day.
In Newcastle Suburban Cricket, Darren Cousins was a tough competitor and was always one of the leading run scorers in A Grade. Batted four for Merewether, and I can’t recall ever getting him out cheaply.
Matt King from Tech College, if we didn’t get him cheaply and he got his eye in, game over.
Steve Mace
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Although his ego certainly doesn’t need this recognition, Chad Penfold single handily chasing down a big score against Tech College at Lugar Stadium, which we affectionately named our home ground (Lugar Park). There was three overs left, Chad has made his way calmly to 49, and we need 49 to win, he then hits 5 sixes in a row, punches a single, blocks out Tech’s top opening bowler Ben Troke in the penultimate over with a single again off the last ball to keep the strike from our very nervous number 11, then belts the remaining 17 runs in 4 deliveries from the last over. I also watched Chad get out to a 70 year old lady cricketer at Bowral Oval.
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always you to cause you a few problems?
John Hole from Tech College was as crafty as they come. His medo’s were always on the spot, and always doing something.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in cricket and you really had to knuckle down to survive?
A number of times playing for the SCG XI where you would play some seriously good cricketers. In particular facing James Kirtley, former English Test opening bowler, on the 2015 UK tour. I lasted about 4 overs before he got me.
Stephen Leathley facing James Kirtley at Dulwich CG
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I have been seriously amazed at the quality of the keepers playing veterans cricket. Barry Everingham, Todd O’Keefe, Scott Atkinson and Paul Ryan, as well as many others. They all stand up to the stumps no matter what is being bowled and are lightening quick with the gloves. Much respect because that is a tough job on your haunches all day when you are over 50.
Who are the players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Stuart McGill for skill, and Ken Hall for competitive spirit. I love playing with Ken Hall.
Who is the best all-rounder you have played with or against?
Andy Daly is in my opinion the best all-rounder to have played suburban cricket in Newcastle in the last 30 years. Very unassuming guy is Dales, but hates loosing, and hates letting his team down. When he was younger, no batsman ever took a 3 when he was fielding the ball. Numerous times he would fox with them, and as a baseballer he had a rocket throw. They would turn to take the 3rd run, and he would have them yards short. Great opening bowler, and very handy hard hitting middle order batsman. The first bloke I pick in any team I am playing in.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
I have played under a lot of good captains – for the SCG XI we had legends like Tony Clarke, Stuart Clark and Katich. In veterans I have played under the great men Stirling Hamman and Tommy Wood.
The guy I most like playing for though is my great mate Brendon Briedenhann. His mid-wicket talks are inspiring, and he is consultative with others in the team, which I think you need to be in veterans cricket where everyone playing has so much experience. We won our Newcastle Central Coast veterans comp recently, and the key was getting Steve Mace out early. Brendo listened to others, and we set a plan, bowled to it, and it worked.
Brendon Briedenhann
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Kevin Mason. He will be out on the field and break out a dance move like the ‘worm’, or something equally as ridiculous, and everyone loves his ‘bugles’ when a team mate cracks a boundary.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
I played a lot of cricket with Dan and Damo Saunders, brothers of course. I always found it highly amusing when they would start bickering with each other on the field, which was like nearly every game.
In a GF I can remember an opposition player coming out with coloured pads on, and I might have let him know how silly he looked, and then again how sillier he looked as he was walking off a couple of balls later when I dismissed him. He then started sledging me when I came out to bat. I was giving it back to him, and it only made me more determined, and I steered us home that day for a great win.
I enjoy playing cricket when it is played with respect, and in good humour, and I have learnt that through SCG XI and veterans cricket. It is much more enjoyable than playing when there is a constant barrage of aggressive exchanges.
Who was your childhood hero?
Dennis Lillee and the Six Million Dollar man.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
My mates son is the Superintendent at Royal Westmoreland Golf Club, Barbados, where apparently all the West Indies cricketers play golf. So would love to go there and play a round of golf and hang out with Jason Holder, Carlos Braithwaite and Paige Spiranic, of course.
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Isa Guha, she is about the only one without an ego.
Isa Guha
What was your favourite ground to play at?
That one is easy, the SCG followed by Mandalong Oval.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
There has been a few with the SCG XI – every time we played on the SCG, playing in the grounds of Windsor Castle and sitting on the balcony of the Lords dressing room chatting with Stuart McGill and having dinner in the Long Room. Watching my mate Shaun Leary score a century at the Broadhalfpenny Down cricket ground where they invented cricket. Going on tours of India and Hong Kong. Playing with some great people. Seriously, can’t choose one.
Stephen Leathley and Stuart MacGill at Lords
Shaun Leary after scoring 105 at Broad Penny Down Cricket Ground where the rules of cricket were drafted.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Winning our final in the Veterans Cricket National Championships in Perth in 2019 against Queensland. We were undefeated. Great bunch of blokes.
NSW Veterans Team after winning the final in Perth
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Andy Daly, Kev Mason and Dan Saunders.
You’re now playing over 50s cricket, what’s the best part of playing veterans cricket and what advice would you offer anyone over 50 who is thinking about playing again?
The best thing is that I am still playing cricket, that I am still competitive and enjoying it. Veteran’s cricket is a good standard of cricket that is played in the right spirit. There is no crap. It is also awesome to hang out with a group of mates who are the same as you, have the same interests, and deal with the same issues. It is like a men’s shed in a way.
Advice to someone thinking of playing again, just do it, you won’t regret it. You will really enjoy it and make a heap of new friends.
What are your hobbies?
I am a pretty keen golfer, so if I am not on the cricket field, I am on a golf course, somewhere. Just came back from King Island playing – if you are a keen golfer, put it on your list.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
My Dad tends to come out with some unexpected pearls of wisdom at the right time in my life. ‘Life is not a dress rehearsal, you only get one shot son, so make the most of it and have a go’. ‘You’re a long time dead son, so don’t leave anything in the tank’. A bit like the concept of not being afraid to ‘jump’. Those who know me know that I ring every last drop out of life, always busy, always doing something.
What is your occupation?
I am a Town Planning consultant for my own consultancy Insite Planning Services which is based here in the Hunter Valley. I have also been appointed by the Minister for Planning to Chair Local Panels in Sydney and sit as an expert planner on Regional Planning Panels.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Playing and as an administrator of veterans cricket, as well as playing for the SCG XI and the Newcastle Hunter Valley Veterans.
If you were running a state cricket association what would be your priority to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
I am all about participation. One of the things I noticed during a ten year involvement coaching junior cricket was that there is really only a pathway for kids into Grade cricket. However, not all kids want to play 2-day grade cricket, or are suited to grade cricket. Then there are a lot of them who start out in grade cricket, and after a couple of seasons, get burnt out and leave. More needs to be done to keep young men involved in cricket.
I would facilitate under 25’s competitions of one day cricket, and fund it, because cost is an issue for that demographic.
