Gareth Wyatt - listen to everyone

Andrew King | October 26, 2023

Gareth Wyatt has had a decorated career playing in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association.

He is a Life Member of Main Ridge Cricket Club where he hit 14 centuries at an impressive average of 45.49. He was Main Ridge Club Champion player in consecutive seasons from 1998/99 to 2002/03 and again from 2010/11 to 2013/14.

Gareth also played for Mt Eliza CC in the MPCA and represented the MPCA in Victorian Country Cricket league weeks on a number of campaigns.

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

What year you were born?

1977

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

Aged 6 or 7 Vs Red Hill at Red Hill Consolidated school. Debuted with good mates Leigh Holmes & Stuart Rigby. Remember wearing a helmet with a visor that gave me double vision so surprised I even got off the mark. I was probably wearing the green spike gloves, buckle up pads and the pink plastic box with no padding around the edge it was that long ago.   

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

Been lucky enough to play at some great clubs with outstanding people in Main Ridge, Willington (UK) and Mt Eliza. Couple of other fun games with Flinders (vs Columbo), Carrum (ICON Cup), Cranbourne (20/20) along with 1 game at Frankston Peninsula in the 2nds. Couple of years coaching U/10’s at Langwarrin. Privileged to play for the purples in a number of Country Week campaigns and 1 game for Vic Country Vs Vic Metro U/18 where I think Tug might have got me LBW for a Golden Duck.  

This Q&A with Gareth Wyatt is proudly sponsored by Capital Edge

 

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

As a kid I spent every Sat afternoon at Ditterich Reserve and would often jump on as a sub when someone got injured (fine leg to fine leg or alternate fine leg at each end with Riggs) from the age of 10ish. Played first full senior year in our 4ths at 12 and moved up a grade a year until I played 1sts at 15 as a wicket keeper batsman.

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?

Country Week was the highest grade and the learning curve was steep. I felt like I should have been given a shot earlier but soon realised I needed to improve my game to succeed at that level. 

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

Batsmen – Combative, fast scoring (not so fast these days)

Bowling – Very hittable mediums and even more hittable nudies nowadays

Wicket Keeper (Until early/mid 20’s)

What were your strengths as a player?

My competitive nature which I try and utilise to get the best out of myself and those around me.

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

204 v Red Hill for Mt Eliza

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

8/31 Vs POB for Mt Eliza

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

Barry McCormick 10-20km per hour quicker than anyone else I have ever faced. I wrongly thought it would be a great idea to taunt him whilst he was batting on week 1. Following week the wind felt like it was 35-40km per hour directly down the wicket. He had split one guys eye open, broken 2 stumps and between him and Trumby they had us 19 down at Tea - (Trav Barker and Ian Rossborough saved off the outright)

The next bunch can’t be separated – Marc Uccello, Andrew Tweddle, Craig Symons, Bateman, Abblitt, Flip, Coutts, Robson, Blackwell, Mick Hudgson, Doyle, Craig Whelan, D.I., Britts, Arnie, Cottrells, Dignan, Fulton, Grenville, Claypole, Hussain, Adam Jones, Wood, Hector, Tom Baron, McKenzie, Waterhouse, Danny Rea and Neil Grimmer used to terrorise me in the nets as a kid.

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

Loved my battles with Sanjeewa Weerasinghe & Paul Bradley.

David Lawson & Neil Williams used to get me out for fun.

Housey & Penny bowled superbly in partnership.

Birchy was underrated. He could seriously bowl.

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

Robert Bedford – Never seen better and never will! Outstanding footwork to spin and always looked like he had twice the time to play the quicks compared with the rest of us. His record would have blown up MyCricket if it was around then. Humble man, it was always just about getting the win and celebrating accordingly.

The next bunch again can’t be separated – Knackers, Tug, Gary Cooper, Tony Horvatt, Cheeks, Dart, Chico, Penguin, Fos, Flip, Britts, Sanjeewa, Gale, Bridgey, Boyd, Juzzy, Karl Brown & Gary Cummings (Willington), Pol, Elmi, Leigh Holmes and nothing like seeing Juice going banana’s. Disappointed I haven’t played much against or alongside Bob or Dyl when in full flight.

Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against? And if you could add a few words as to why?

Robert Bedford 150 plus in the Country Week Grand Final v Bendigo or Ballarat at the Junction Oval. Truly incredible. I was lucky enough to watch most of it from 22 yards but I would have paid anything at the gate to see that innings.

Special mentions to Tractors, Rhys Elmi & Tony Horvatt’s finals knocks and Brad Rossborough’s 190 against Flinders.

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

As above David Lawson and Neil Williams used to get me out for fun. In hindsight I wasn’t patient enough against them

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

Anytime I am coming up against an ex-Premier/State cricketer/International or someone regarded as one of the best in your competition. I haven’t seen it is as survival, I see it is as game on.   

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

Brad Glenn – naturally stays low, brilliant body position and hands up the jump. Learnt a heap from him about leadership and how to control a game. Another one I love talking cricket with.

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

Ed Aarons – Competitive Beast! Not the most technically correct but finds a way to get it done against some of the elite. His 90 odd against Herrick was one of courage and class. Dislocates his fingers keeping every 2nd week but pulls it back in and goes again.  

Darren Kerr – Look past his knock about nature and you will see a true leader of men who would do anything for his teammates. Didn’t always have the most skilled side but always got the best out of them. Would have loved to have played more alongside him.

Honourable mentions to Rama and Scotty Millar who love pushing the boundary for success.

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

Lyle House - Ability to look past the obvious at the selection table which turn into master strokes.

Lloyd Hosking – The GOAT of Main Ridge. Still learn things today from him, love talking cricket with him.

Who has been your funniest teammate?

Mt Eliza - Marc Uccello – More off the field than on… So many good times. Great man!

Country Week - Paul Waterhouse & JL were the kings of comedy.

Willington, UK - Steven Jones for his dry humour

Main Ridge - Been some funny times with Chook (Neil Jones) and the Rat Pack (Jas Albress, Greek Bradman and Ed Aarons)

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

Not really, I forget most of the banter given or received before I leave the ground. I have seen a run out been given out with the stumps not broken and I have been given not out when bowled which stick out in my mind as things you don’t see every day.

Who was your childhood hero?

My brother

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

Shane Warne, John Daley & Andrew Symons

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Kerry O’Keefe

What was your favourite ground to play at?

Main Ridge- no brainer

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

I get a buzz out of seeing kids work hard and get results.

Anytime I am singing the club song after a victory.

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

Hard to go past 1st XI GF win vs Carrum Downs, saving relegation vs Mt Eliza and/or the win vs Red Hill in 2019. The last game before Christmas vs Carrum was also pretty special.  

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

Rat Pack & the Umpiring fraternity might have golden tickets but happy to have a beer with anyone that I have played with or against.   

What are your hobbies?

Uber driver for my kids

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

Listen to everyone and decide for yourself if that advice works for you. The great John Curry.

What’s your occupation?

Director – Telstra Business Technology Centre Melbourne South (Dandenong) and Vic East (Pakenham). Give us a call on 1300 669 103 for all your Business Technology needs.

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?

I think they are on the right track with Coaching the Coaches. There has been a bit of talk of integrating the Premier 3rds & 4ths into local cricket which I don’t mind but I can see that would come with ramifications around funding for the Premier Club and for the player who plays in both. I think on local level we have to find a better balance between small and large clubs as I don’t think we want the comp looking like the EPL.