Adrian Mack - keep it simple

Andrew King | July 08, 2023

Adrian Mack has played all his cricket on the Peninsula. He’s played for Pines Cricket Club in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association and coached Pines, Langwarrin and Baxter Cricket Club.

He is also a very proud of being first grade player number 9 for Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club when they entered the District Cricket (now Victoria Premier Cricket) competition in 1993/94.

Let’s find out more about Adrian journey in the game

 

 

What year you were born?

1970

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

I was 8 years old when I started playing for Pines U/12’s. I cannot really remember the first game, but Ray Driscoll Snr was my coach. All I know is he was very good at teaching the fundamentals of the game and he had me hooked forever.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

Played all my juniors with Pines Cricket Club. From about 17 to 22 I played seniors with Pines and lucky enough to get picked for rep cricket with MPCA. As Frankston Peninsula entered the district ranks, I could hardly wait to play at District level and played there for 5 seasons. After Frankston I turned to coaching back on the Peninsula. 4 years with Pines, 6 years with Langwarrin & 3 years with Baxter. Finished up my career a few years ago.

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

I was about 14 when I played my first senior game for Pines 6ths, Dave Andrews was my captain. Loved every minute of it as a junior. Loved the social aspect of getting back to the rooms for the man of match awards. At Pines it was a glass with the club emblem on it.

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?

Being selected for Frankston Peninsula’s first ever District team was an amazing honour. I could not believe I had been picked straight away. I don’t think I slept that night just thinking about playing on turf against the best players in the state. I think I took 1/30 odd off 10 overs and made 8 runs.

First grade playing numbers in brackets

Back Row - Gavin Hurley (4), Simon McEvoy (2), Peter Klauer (8), Paul Wilson (11), David Robinson (1), Gav Thompson (3)

Front Row - Adrian Mack (9), Bryce McGain (10), Dennis Prendegast, Shaun Graf (6 -Captain), Bill Foley, Matt Deighton (5), Brad Glenn (7)

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

Left arm medium pace bowler who could bowl for long periods. Very disciplined and quick to learn a batsman’s strengths & weaknesses. Absolutely loved the challenge of playing against the best batsmen going around. As a cricketer in general I would like to think I played with a hard edged approach and gave absolutely everything I had to offer.

What were your strengths as a player?

Disciplined bowler who could bowl all day and dogged tail end batsman who could hang around when things got really tough.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

My highest score was 90 playing for Pines 2nds only a few years ago against Crib Point. My highest score in 1st Eleven cricket was 58 against Mornington. Probably 20 years ago.

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

Playing for Frankston Peninsula 1sts against St Kilda 1993 I took 5/61 which included Harper, Whiteside & Craig. That was also our first win in District cricket. Special day.

Langwarrin v Baden Powell 1sts 9/39 early 2000’s

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

Brad Williams- Melbourne. Express, nasty and loved banter

Terry Doyle- Karingal. Very fast with an outstanding outswinger & bouncer.

Paul Hartle- Long Island. Not express but quick enough on his day and never gave you an inch.

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

John Lillico – Mt Eliza. The best I have seen on the Peninsula. Leg spin genius.

Sanjeeva Weerasinghe – Hastings. Wicked flipper, very hard to pick.

Dwayne Doig- Langwarrin. Superb control.

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

Robert Bedford- Karingal. An absolute gun loved playing against him. Reminded me of Roy Hobbs from the movie, The Natural. On his day he was unstoppable. Left handed genius.

Gary Watts- Fitzroy Doncaster. Another lefty who had so much time. Elegant stroke maker.

Shane Beggs- Heatherhill. The little master was one of the toughest competitors I played against. Extremely tough to get out. Loved the way he went about his business.

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

Ray Driscoll- Pines teammate. Playing against Heatherhill Prov 1sts at Bruce Park early 90s. Made 141 against one of the best attacks going around. Horne, Young were the 2 quicks, Scabbs Martin & John Hille sledging? I still remember the array of shots to this day. Great knock under pressure.

This Q&A with Adrian Mack is proudly sponsored by Capital Edge

Capital Edge- The Experts in Property Investment

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

Late in my career pretty much all the bowlers gave me problems. But if there was one that I hated facing it was Marc Uccello. He was far too slow, but could swing it both ways, land it in the right areas and had very good game sense. Always up for the challenge as well.

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

Playing Melbourne Cricket Club in my second game of District cricket. Their team had 9 first class cricketers. Playing at the Albert. 50 over cricket. Bowling to Ramshaw, Jones, Hodge, Sholly, Herman, etc. They made 1 /325 off the 50 overs. Ramshaw 144 not out, Hodge 80 odd & Jones 70 odd in 11 overs. Welcome to District cricket young fella.

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

Brad Glenn- Frankston was brilliant to play with. Very tidy behind the stumps up or back.

Rick Anstiss- Pines. Best keeper I saw on the Peninsula. Quick as lightning up to the stumps off the mediums.

Jeff Calder-Mornington. Fantastic gloveman who played with plenty of heart.

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

Stephen Jackson-Pines. Easily one of the best players I have played with. Brilliant batsman who was extremely reliable to score big runs and an amazing fielder. Absolute jet.

Paul Hartle- Long Island. Arnie was like a local Ian Botham who could take a game away from you with bat or ball. Tremendous competitor. Loved the battles we shared.

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

Stephen Johnson-Pines. Amazing leader who new how to get the best out of his team. Great leader who performed at his best under pressure. Shaped my career.

Daniel Warwick-Baxter. Exceptional leader who left nothing to chance. Multiple premiership captain.

?Who has been your funniest team mate?

Darren & Marc Uccello- Baxter. Both lunatics. Pleasure to play with.

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

I cannot recall too much these days but the best sledgers I have played with are Ricky Ramsdale and Jeremy Weare. Every now and then I would let them off the chain against the opposition. Those 2 could really get under the oppositions skin. Both fantastic players as well.

Who was your childhood hero?

Ian Botham

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

Rafael Nadal, Madison Bumgarner, George Kittle

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Ian Botham

What was your favourite ground to play at?

Jubilee Park Frankston

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

As a 20-year-old playing his first year of Country week. Day 2 against Geelong at Caulfield. Batting at 10. I come to the crease needing 11 to win off the last over. Steve Johnson has just ran himself out and Rob Jackson strolls to the crease. I said what are you doing here? You’re the designated non batsman. He replies, I thought I was, so I have had at least 6 beers!

Righto then lets just get bat on ball. We get equation down to 7 off the last 2 balls with the quickest bowler at the carnival sending them down. I’m on strike thinking a 4 keeps us in the game. Everyone has written us off including the live cross from 3GL radio in Geelong. Cow corner is my area, I make good contact thinking this is 4, the ball keeps rising and lands over the club rooms. Wowee!!! We complete the single off the last ball and the rest is history. We go onto win the grand final, the first one for about 25 years in Provincial. How good is cricket…..?

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Playing senior cricket with my son Josh.

Being selected for Frankston Peninsula’s first ever district team.

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

Darren Uccello, Al Davie, Pat Jackson

What are your hobbies?

Cycling, Family (grandchild 8 months old), Walking my dog Kobe

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

Keep it simple, don’t over complicate.

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?

Have a strong 2 day format to ensure technique and depth of talent tested.

Strong junior programmes with specialised coaching.