Ryan Van Kemenade - helping out to improve others
Wallsend District Cricket Club | July 04, 2023
Ryan Van Kemenade start his cricket journey at Wallsend and was recently selected in the NSW Country Cricket Squad to play in the Australian Country Cricket Championship.
Ryan spent some time playing cricket in NSW Premier Cricket for UTS North Sydney and made his first grade debut in a one day game against Randwick Petersham on 1 October 2016 at the age of 18. Ryan is UTS North Sydney first grade cap number 653.
He’s returned back to Newcastle and is a popular player’s within the club and always looking to help others improve their game.
Let’s find out more about Ryan Van Kemenade
What year you were born?
1998
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Pretty sure my first game was with my older brother when his team was short, so I filled in for his team. I let one go on off stump and got cleaned bowled on my 3rd ball
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I’ve been lucky enough to play for some great clubs and represent my zone in some country championships. I started out at was Wallsend, then moved to West’s (New Lambton), Newcastle City, UTS North Sydney in Sydney and my current club is Wallsend. I first started playing when I was roughly around 10 with my older brothers team at Wallsend filling in for a few games, we then moved to West’s for a few years, I then played for Newcastle City in the Under 15s when I was 13.
I then started to play grade cricket with my old man from that age and have continued to play grade cricket.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I was roughly around 13 or 14 years of age playing 4th grade with my dad
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I think my first grade debut was at the age of 16, I think I went ok, maybe around 20 odd runs and 2 wickets
Ryan takes a catch for Wallsend Tigers
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I’m an all rounder
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
My highest score in 1st grade is 114 playing for Newcastle zone in the country championship prior to that it was 113 in 3rd grade
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket? For which club and where?
5 for 7 against my current club when I was playing for Newcastle City
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Nic Bills from Sydney has taken over 400 first grade wickets in Sydney.
Adam Semple from Randwick just pure smarts from this bloke, bowls to plans and can literally execute anything you ask him.
Matt Alexander from Manly but plays for UTS North Sydney now, I was lucky enough to play a few seasons with Matt before I moved back home to play. Matt’s an absolutely top bloke. Matt is a left arm quick that literally bowls the ball in front of the umpire and sometimes is very hard to pick the ball up if you’re not use to facing him.
Matt Alexander after taking 5 wickets in an innings
Who has been the best three spinners you have played against?
Chris Green, clearly knows so much about the game in T20 format.
Devlin Malone, short little leggy that can let it rip and hard to pick his wrong one sometimes
Johan Botha, quality bowler and has loads of experience when it comes to bowling.
Who has been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Adam Crosthwaite, absolutely the best person I have ever seen time the ball to perfection every shot.
Steve Smith, there’s really nothing else to say about Steve Smith he’s an absolute freak when it comes to batting, I literally had no clue where to bowl to him when I played against him.
David Warner, hits a very large ball and is a very intelligent cricketer.
Adam Crosthwaite
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Adam Crosthwaite in a T20 game scored 120 odd not out off about 65 rocks and hit the ball all over the ground.
Was there any batsman in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted their wicket?
I don’t think there was or has been. I mean every player that comes in to bat, you really want their wicket no matter what.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Adam Crosthwaite he only plays to win and I absolutely love that about him. I’ve learnt so much from him with his short stint at North Sydney.
Nathan Price, the same with Adam, he only plays to win and has that experience from playing in Sydney for many years and he explains how to things in tough situations of the game
Nathan Price
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
That’s a tough one but I’ll have to go with Nathan Price as he leads from the front in no matter what the task is. He’ll do anything for a kid that wants to succeed in cricket or anything if they are willing to put in the work and I love seeing that from our club and especially the captain.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
This one is an easy one, it would have to be Sam Alexander. He has a story for everything that bloke and they’re hilarious
Sam Alexander
Who was your childhood hero?
It would have to be Sir Donald Bradman, I would’ve loved to see him play
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Tiger Woods, Eric Cantona, Sir Alex Ferguson
Eric Cantona
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
I don’t mind listening Adam Chilchrist
What was your favourite ground to play at?
SCG and then North Sydney Oval, picturesque they both are
Is there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
I always look forward to playing each team but the games against Wests, Hamilton – Wickham and Merewether are always tough games and you get the opportunity to stand up and show your potential.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
Playing with a great bunch of mates, helping young kids that want to improve their game.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Probably winning the regional big bash at the SCG last year, it was pretty special to have some of my family watching,
Ryan at the SCG
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Winning the final at the SCG would be up there but last round game we played against Toronto, it was very nerve racking as they needed 1 run and we needed 1 wicket,
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Gary Geise, Sam Alexander and I’ll say Pat Magann, he can spin a tale as well as Sam
What are your hobbies?
I try and play as much golf as I can when I’ve got some free time away from cricket or football season
Ryan in his football kit
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
I’m still young and fit playing 1st grade in Newcastle, I’m playing for Wallsend, nice and close to home and work which is always good. I’m around the club preparing the wickets and helping out around training helping others and young kids coming up through the grades
If you were running Cricket NSW what would be your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Making sure that most grounds have good facilities as in sheds for both teams, the proper equipment for all cricket clubs as some clubs find it hard to find decent equipment or are not really in a financial position to afford a decent wicket mower or roller.
I think those are the main things I would worry about, making the younger kids coming up through the grades having the best facilities possible.
