Keith Burdett - a beer and a laugh
Andrew King | July 02, 2023
Keith Burdett is one of the great characters of Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association.
From the juniors in the MPCA to representing MPCA and Victoria Country Cricket team Keith has played an influential role in many premiership winning teams.
Let’s find out a bit more Keith’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1973
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Under 14s Somerville CC when I was 11 years old, filled a spot in the team!
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Somerville, Mornington, Hastings, Mt. Eliza, French Island, MPCA CW, Vic Country, UK. Less than half the amount of Craig Keppel!!
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
12 - Somerville 3rds or 4ths
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?
Vic Country- excited, nervous, ran myself out for 20 odd.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Batsman some days, just a fielder most!
What were your strengths as a player?
The unique ability to have a beer and a laugh after game irrespective whether we won or lost.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
148 not out in three individual innings
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
7 for 54 off 27 straight in Grand Final
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Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Terry Doyle – fast and angry. He either wanted to knock your stumps over or knock your head off. One of the last bowlers in MPCA who could make the seam fizz past your head. Loved playing against him.
Adrian Mack- had my measure every single time... in..in..in..in...across...snick!...see ya!
Craig Symons – great length, great competitor.
Paul Waterhouse – could make the ball talk against the best.. great bowler for a batsman.
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Dwayne Doig (Langwarrin), Alan Gross (Baden Powell), Greg Lamb (Long Island) - all great competitors.
I played with a few who weren’t too bad either- S.Weerasinghe, P.Goonawardena and Lyle House (square cut all day- will never hit the stumps), T.Birch.
French Island Cricket Club
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Rob Bedford – big game, big runs. The best ever. GOAT!
Anthony Blackwell, Peter Buchanan, Dan Warwick, Shane Beggs, Chris Brittain, Gareth Wyatt, Nick Christides, Bob Wilson, Darren Kerr, Chris Holcombe – records speak for themselves.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Rob Bedford 120 plus v Sale Maffra at Albert Park against a fast attack of Dean Benson and Zimmer when we were in trouble. Amazing knock! He’s played many others right up there as well. His 200 in one day game v Victoria at Mornington was special!
Nick Johnson and Bryce McGain 100 plus undefeated partnership on final day to win the first of 3 consecutive Mornington Provincial flags v Baden Powell at Graydens Rd was unbelievable... especially when the opposition turned up in a minibus full of balloons ready to celebrate a win.
Andrew Brown - 100 before drinks in Grand Final against Mt. Eliza was amazing to watch as an opposition player. A batsman who never got the recognition he deserved. Club legend everywhere he played.
Henry Dolphin – 200 v Mount Eliza. Ripper bloke who made runs for fun against us.
Rob Phillips – carrying his bat through the final series for French Island in last season’s flag – amazing effort to witness when you put everything into perspective. Imagine batting four and not having to bat in both the semi and grand final.
Brad Glenn – Two centuries for Vic Country v SA and WA batting at 7 or 8 when we were in deep trouble and batting through the 100 overs to get us to defendable totals. Both games we won. True captain’s innings of pure batsmanship. Old school batting in which we should be teaching our kids. Was a privilege to witness.
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Many of them!! Adrian Mack, Darryn Abblitt. Anyone who could put it on the green stuff always had a chance.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used?
Late night nude indoor bowls at Boneo CC with Darren Kerr and Johnny Spaull... completely out of my depth!
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Brad Glenn, Jeff Calder, Andrew West and Pete Bedford were all amazing keepers in their own way.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Rob Bedford – best ever.
Scott Phillips – freak.
Peter Buchanan – ultimate competitor.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Peter Buchanan and Rob Bedford – both led by example and demanded the ultimate respect. True champions of MPCA cricket.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Marc Uccello – hilarious on and off the field. Loved his cricket but made it fun to play! What he could do with a grape ……great man was to play cricket with!”
Jason Mathers – his “tourettes” outbursts as skipper at Mornington had me rolling around the grass while fielding. Great man, loved his passion, loved to play for him, and loved his episodes towards the opposition and umpires.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Greg Donnelly to an opposition batsman batting for Tyabb or Rosebud (not sure) after delivering a ball he played and missed by a metre... “Hey mate... you got some shit on the end of your bat”. Batsman’s lifted his bat and looks at the toe.... Greg turns around and replies ”No...not that end...the other end!”
Who was your childhood hero?
Gary Ablett SNR
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Tiger Woods, Ricky Ponting, and Russell Wilkes
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Richie Benaud – is there anyone else??
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Albert Park and Alexandra Park
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
The feeling you get in that first hour after winning a premiership!
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
First senior 1st X1 flag at Mornington and Hastings and all of the many MPCA Country Week flags.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
John Lillico and just like the wise man Pip Heath said... all invited
What are your hobbies?
Stamp Collecting, Beachology, Knitting Xmas Hamper Socks
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Treat people the same way you would like to be treated.
What’s your occupation?
Process Operator at Bluescope Steel.
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?
Involve the kids any way possible.
