Mal Coutts - don't over complicate it
Andrew King | June 19, 2023
Mal Coutts started his cricket journey with Langwarrin and has carved an impressive career across the Mornington Peninsula.
He’s a multiple premiership wining player and is also the proud owner of first grade cap number 86 for Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club in Victoria Premier Cricket.
Mal is a tough competitor who loves to win and always delivers a significant contribution to the success of the teams he’s played for.
Let’s find out more about Mal’s journey in the game.
What year you were born?
1976
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I was 5 years old when I was sub fielding for my uncle’s team he coached at Langwarrin. Simon McEvoy was playing in that Under 12 team. The following year I was registered with the MPCA at 6 years of age.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Played all my junior years at Langwarrin. I went to Frankston Peninsula as a 17 year old where I played in the 2nd’s and 3rd’s for 3 seasons. I then went back to Langwarrin for 5 years. At 25 I Captained Coached Tyabb for 2 seasons, then went back to Langwarrin, went back to Frankston Peninsula for a season at 30 where I played 1’s & 2’s, Captained Coached Somerville for 3 seasons, Captained Coached Langwarrin for 2 seasons, Balnarring for 1 season and have played back Langwarrin until current.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
As a young kid I followed my dad every Saturday, so would end up sub-fielding. When I was 11-12 years of age I played my first game of senior cricket with my dad in the 4th XI. I was 15 when I played my first 1st XI game for Langwarrin where I didn’t bat, didn’t bowl and dropped a catch.
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?
Playing 1st XI at Frankston, I played all the T20 cricket, but wasn’t until the country round that I played my first 1XI home and away game in Lavington against Northcote. Definitely nervous, but also excited.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I played my cricket hard and always played to win. I’m not one to accept losing very well and still to this day I can’t. As a batsman I was more renowned for my quick scoring in the middle order, batting till the end of day either to help post the big score or to bring home the win. As a bowler, not so much now but when I was a younger, I was told I was a tear away quick. Not sure I think I was that. Always loved fielding, always had a good throwing arm being a bowler and held my fielding to a high level. Not sure I dropped too many catches, though remember dropping a soda against Balnarring one year off John Forrest left arm quick “medium pace”. Have never lived it down and Johnny reminds me of it just about every game we play against each other.
What were your strengths as a player?
Would like to think I always took the game on. Never one to back out of a fierce dual on the ground. I think being a Bowling all-rounder was definitely my strength.
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What was your highest score in senior cricket?
132 for Tyabb against Heatherhill. I remember the game well. Simon Digman was bowling and I was on 98. I hit a 2, but I was batting with Brad Hodgin’s who ran 1 short. Thankfully I got away with one next ball to get my 100.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Playing for Frankston Peninsula under Ken Piesse in the 3rd’s I took 9 for 79 against Footscray.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Terry Doyle was definitely a childhood local that I had looked up to as a Langwarrin junior, but then had to play against him when he was at Red Hill. Terry was quick, made you play just about every ball, but his bouncer was always quicker and at you.
Barry McCormack when he was at Carrum Downs, freshly back from playing District cricket, he was fast and ferocious.
Adrian Mack who I played against and with, the stump to stump bowler. He would nibble away and draw you into a shot you would not normally play, or would just keep zeroing in on the pads to get an LBW.
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
I think I have been lucky enough to play with bunch of great spinners at Langwarrin.
Rod Boheman, Ben Wells, Dwayne Doig and Jim Boyd, but also against him when he was at Pearcedale. Greg Lamb and Jim Boyd both got exceptional bounce from their height, could both bowl a lot of overs as off spinners. Ken Broughill from Carrum Downs and current Yohan Maddege. Matt Prosser will be bleeding on missing out, but he will have the limelight for years to come.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
John Hill - Heatherhill. True craftsman with the bat, never scared of a challenge and always backed himself in.
Anthony Blackwell – Sorrento. Not sure there were too many times where I saw him score under 30. He always worked hard early to set up his innings. I saw him at country week made consecutive 100’s including big sixes at the Albert.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Against would have to be Graham Yallop’s 100 not out when he was at Pines. It was chanceless and in awe to watch his placement of the ball where he knew he could score. Preantha Munasingha’s 142 no in the 96/97 Semi Final win against Pearcedale.
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Dale Irving in his prime always seem to have the wood over me. Not so much now as he’s gotten older and slower like me, but have had many tussles on the cricket pitch.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used
Two seasons ago playing the Statewide T20 Big Bash final at the Junction Oval against Strathdale-Maristians who had 9 ex district players in their side. They were definitely a class above of us on that day.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Brad Glenn when I was at Frankston Peninsula, but also as our Country Week Keeper. Glenny always worked hard on his craft, was amazing up at the jump, but his voice is something that never lets up. Great set of hands a great all round bloke.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Scott Phillips was the complete all rounder in all facets of the game.
Steve Bourke, not only did he count the balls and his runs, but also counted the batsman at the other ends runs. His concentration at the crease was phenomenal.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Tim Harper, knew thew the game inside and out and the game plan was always clear and simple. He detested losing and was always the first person to back you in when he needed you. Still to this day with his involvement and view on the game is second to none.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Jamie Jewess from Langwarrin always comes to mind, for those who know him will understand why. Don’t think there’s ever been a moment when it hasn’t been about Jamie, but of course always in the funniest of ways. Still to this day in the lower grades and around the club, he is still the same. Leigh Patterson is a close second.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
The one that stands out the most personally is when Doc Vose head butted me on the pitch one day after we had a sledge of words between each other.
Who was your childhood hero?
Dean Jones and Merv Hughes as professional cricketers, locally I was always inspiring to be a Terry Doyle.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Tiger Woods, Lewis Hamilton and Usain Bolt
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
I think I’m meant to say Jack Hevrin now, however Richie Benaud and Bill Lawry as a kid growing up. Andrew Symonds is a good modern day commentator.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
You can never go against your home ground Lloyd Park 1, have been lucky enough to play on the MCG, but having won a few Premierships at Mornington, it’s hard not to have this as a favourite.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Not so much just one, but have been lucky enough to play in 5 premierships with the Langwarrin Cricket Club
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
We chased down Heatherhill’s 317 at Bruce Park one Saturday when we were in a lot of trouble early. Big score to chase down against a star studded Heatherhill side.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Al Davie, Daniel Bray and Simon McEvoy.
What are your hobbies?
Volunteer Fire Fighter, Racing Simulator, Golf, Camping and pretty much anything outdoors with my kids.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
See ball, hit ball. Don’t over complicate it.
What’s your occupation?
Commercial Sales Manager – Tuff Group lucky to work with the “G Train” Fraser Gehrig
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?
The junior programs ensuring our up-and-coming cricketers of the future have all the facilities, coaches and best competition to promote them through into senior cricket. Training and Playing facilities of the highest standard to achieve the highest goals.
A strong and consistent competition where we get the best cricketers to come and play in the biggest Cricket Association in the Southern Hemisphere.
