Brad Glenn - prepare well

Andrew King | June 15, 2023

This Q&A with Brad Glenn is proudly sponsored by Capital Edge

Capital Edge- The Experts in Property Investment

Brad Glenn has had a decorated cricket career across Victoria Premier Cricket and in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association.

He’s a multiple winning premiership player in both competitions, played 2ndXI cricket for Victoria and represented Victoria Country Cricket team

Brad was a very talented wicket keeper batsman, let’s find out more about his journey in the game 

What year you were born?

1969

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

I was about 8 playing in the Karingal Under 12 team – can’t remember how I went but recall my coach (Bruce Curtis) saying to me I couldn’t bat or bowl so best I be the wicket keeper.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

I grew up playing juniors at Karingal then played at Melbourne & Frankston Peninsula for most of my cricketing life. I went back to local cricket when I was 32 and played at Mount Eliza, Rosebud & Peninsula Old Boys.

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

Karingal 3rds when I was about 12 or 13 playing with my dad.

What was the highest grade you played and can you remember what you were feeling when you were selected and how did you perform on debut?

Domestic 2nd XI cricket for Victoria. Australian Country team v Pakistan, Zimbabwe, New Zealand

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

Wicket Keeper Batsman

What were your strengths as a player?

Being short I had to be able to play off the back foot so the cut and pull shots.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

To be honest I can’t really recall, I think it was 120 not out playing for the Victorian Country Cricket Team

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

Later in my cricketing life back in the MPCA I rolled my arm over now and then….took 5 for about 50 in a Grand Final playing for Rosebud against the Peninsula Old Boys at Sorrento.

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

Merv Hughes (Footscray) he was scary

David Saker (Northcote) was pretty quick and just wanted to hurt you

Damien Fleming (South Melbourne) most relentless with his control

David Saker

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

David Emmerson (Collingwood) left arm leggie who I always struggled with

John Davison (Prahran and St Kilda) off spinner who was extremely accurate and gave you nothing

John Forrest (POB) only played against Johnny late in both our careers but extremely accurate

John Davison

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

Warren Ayres (Melbourne) – made runs for fun in premier cricket scoring a ton against every team in the comp.

Dean Jones (Melbourne) – most attacking player who took attacks apart – best bat I’ve played against or with easily

Chris Brittan (Frankston Peninsula & Baxter) – great talent as a young fella in premier ranks and without doubt the best local bat I played against and with

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

Graeme Vimpani (Collingwood) made a double hundred against us opening the innings

Gareth Wyatt – Played a super innings for Main Ridge against Mount Eliza which drew the game for them – match changing innings full of skill….was great to watch. (I think it too may have been a double hundred?)

Graeme Vimpani

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

Tony Dodemaide (Footscray) – mixed his pace up very well and often caught me off guard with his fast bouncer….

Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used?

The state representative games I played were a big step up from Premier cricket. Bowlers and their consistency and batters and the way they took care of any delivery slightly ‘off the mark’…

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

Darren Berry – by the length of the Flemington straight

Locally - Wade Pelzer was a high quality keeper with clean hands

Darren Berry

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

David Saker – easily the most aggressively fierce competitor on the ground – a ripper fella off the ground – scary to play against but loved playing with him

Gareth Wyatt – super competitor locally and really enjoyed our time playing against and with each other – massive natural talent and ability

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

Shaun Graf – Fantastically astute leader and aggressive

Who has been your funniest team mate?

Gav Hurley (Melbourne & Frankston Peninsula) – closely followed by David Robinson and Jason Nagel

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

All the banter I had with my old mate Jason (Heada) Mathers – another fierce competitor.

Who was your childhood hero?

Rodney Marsh

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

Michael Jordan, Steve Waugh, Roger Federer

Roger Federer

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Kerry O’Keeffe

What was your favourite ground to play at?

The Albert & Butler Oval

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Probably getting my state contract on an individual level and without doubt my premierships at Melbourne and Rosebud

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

Grand Final win playing for Rosebud against Peninsula Old Boys – was a fantastic game of cricket

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

Gavin Hurley, Jason Nagel, Shane Beggs and Joey Lane – great times with both these blokes at country weeks…..

What are your hobbies?

Volunteering at Pines Football Netball Club and volunteering at the Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

Prepare well.

What’s your occupation?

Metropolitan Road Services Manager - RACV

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?

Junior level – explore changes to rules to ensure engagement at the younger ages through maximising time in the game they’re ‘actively participating’

Senior Level – Explore options to attract the best players to Premier levels – Pathways and the current 4 grades at Premier Cricket, should this be reduced?