My Best Grade team - Pat Culpan 2000 to 2020
Pat Culpan | June 06, 2023
I have been lucky enough to sit in the best seat in the house for Valley District Cricket Club for the last 23 years. I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly but enjoyed every moment of watching every ball. Here is my VDCC team of the 21st century:
1. Lachlan Pfeffer (Wicket Keeper)
Pfeffy fills the role of opener and wicket keeper. Good enough to play for Queensland in either role. VDCC 1st Grade career 3745 runs @ 34.68 with 10 centuries, 151 catches and 10 stumping’s.
2. Matthew Hayden
Haydos was a country boy and went to Marist Brothers College in Ashgrove, a quick walk down the hill and he was playing for Valley. Scored big for VDCC as well as he did for Queensland and Australia. Those that were there will always remember his 169 in a one day game where he peppered all post codes around Nundah. VDCC 1st Grade career 4580 runs @ 51.46
3. Usman Khawaja
Uzzy has only managed 7 premierships games for VDCC due to representative duties, but how could I leave this bloke out. Scores runs at ease and looks great when doing so, a double ton v Toombul and a century in our winning 1st Grade final being the highlights. VDCC 1st Grade career 468 runs @ 117.00
4. Lee Carseldine
Leeca’s career with VDCC are in two parts, before and after his major back surgery when he was told he may never walk again. He came back from surgery and peeled off four back to back centuries. VDCC 1st Grade career 5405 runs @ 44.30 with 16 centuries and 107 wickets @ 22.24
5. Andrew Gode (Captain)
Gode has done just about everything in the game except play 1st Class cricket. Coming into the 1st Grade side as a teenager he has now chalked up 131 premiership games. Useful with bat, ball and a very handy 2nd slip. Who will forget his 179 runs in a T20 game (I actually watched the live streaming from a beach bar in Florida). 4408 runs @ 32.03 with 10 centuries, 255 wickets @ 2571 and 99 catches.
6. Brett Henschell
Hotty was brought in from Dalby as an 18 year old, immediately played 1st Grade, played 213 matches and never played any lower Grade before retiring. Another one of the middle order all-rounders as good with bat as with ball. VDCC 1st Grade career 7759 runs @ 41.94 with 11 centuries, 357 wickets @ 26.55 and 146 catches
7. Jack Wildermuth
Muff is still young and with talent to burn and has already represented Australia at a T20 level. One innings that will be etched in my memory forever is the run chase v Toombul and in front of his Grandfather who only had days to live, Muff pulled off an innings of 153* and the win. He makes up the trio of all-rounders in the middle order. VDCC 1st Grade career 1667 runs @ 29.25 including 2 centuries, 85 wickets @ 22.06 and 32 catches.
8. Matthew Petrie
Tree was the king of swing, he could swing a brick around a corner. If only he was playing today with the Duke ball. Came to us via Redlands and Western Australia, I swear his bowling got better towards the end of his career, another example of why rep players should be selected on form and not on promise. VDCC 1st Grade career 176 wickets @ 19.69
9. Darin Turner
Hooch was another Dalby boy and wore his heart on his sleeve. Terrorised opposition batsmen and umpires through his career. Formed a formidable partnership with Joe Dawes.Still turns out for the Legends T20 side 12 years after retiring for 1st Grade. VDCC 1st Grade career 355 wickets @ 20.52
10. Joe Dawes
Joey started his career as a batsman with Sandgate, obviously someone at VDCC saw he was better suited as a bowler. The big unit holds a rare feat in taking all 10 wickets in a 1st Grade innings (his match figures were 16 wickets for 33 runs). VDCC 1st Grade career 272 wickets @ 15.09
Check out the scorecard of Joey's 10 for
11. Luke Feldman
Fox, the King came down from Townsville and slotted straight into 1st Grade. We did not see as much of great bowling due to modern day match and bowling limitations (go figure). Fox formed a formidable partnership with Matt Petrie the year we won the 1st Grade premiership. VDCC 1st Grade career 156 wickets @ 16.83
12. Adam Lockhart-Krause
Krausey takes up this position as every team needs a captain after 5pm. Who can forget his antics after we won the 1st Grade premiership, including him taking the cup on a tour of Australia. VDCC 1st Grade career 1866 runs @ 21.95, 66 catches and 1 stumping.
Coach: Heath Pedrola
Pedders came back to the club following his playing career with the club and then a stint in England. Pedders gets my nod for this position as he arrived at the club when we were of low self-esteem and gone through a season where we failed to win a game. Pedders installed the pride and respect back into the team and club.
Manager: Jim Shinnick
Jimbo takes up this position unchallenged because, well despite a couple of years out with illness, he has held this position for 30 years.
Scorer: Greg Ball
As with everyone else selecting a team I am not going to select myself, so for the handful of games I missed (all this year), Bally did a great job in filling in.
