Ricky Thompson - 'I wear my heart on my sleeve'
Crib Point Cricket Club | May 04, 2023
Player, Premiership winner, Life Member, President, there’s no more proud member of Crib Point Cricket Club than Ricky Thompson.
Let’s find out more about Ricky’s journey and insights.
What year you were born?
1976
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
I was 10 years old and played for Hastings. Can't remember how I went, but I'm pretty sure it was played at Hastings High School back when they used to play games there.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Played at Hastings till I was about 23 (played a year of under 16’s and won a premiership at Balnarring when Hastings couldn’t field a side), before moving across to Crib Point in 1999 and have been there ever since. I've won 2 Premierships in my time at Crib Point. I'm a Life Member and have been President for the past 15 years. Pretty vocal about how much I love my Club and the people in it.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
Played a game in the 3rds at Hastings with my old man when I was about 13.
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?
Played most of my cricket in the firsts. I might be out by a year but from memory my first game was for Hastings back in '93 or '94 and I was 17. We played Mt Martha and I ended up making 30 or 40 odd not out batting in the lower order. I remember copping an absolute spray from Shane Wilson, their opening bowler, after I top edged a bouncer over slips for 4 to get off the mark. Safe to say it wasn't the last spray I got from him that day.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
A batsman who gets the most out of his limited stroke range and ability. A fairly decent fielder back in the younger days, with a good set of mitts and a bowler who shouldn't bowl.
What were your strengths as a player?
Probably my ability to perform at my best when the team is in trouble and always be up for the fight. I wear my heart on my sleeve, play whatever role is needed and would do absolutely anything for my team and my Club.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
108 not out playing for Crib Point vs Mt. Eliza in 2004/05
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Tim Bateman - Bowled at a decent clip and could move the ball both ways in the air and off the deck. Was near unplayable most days and is a ripper bloke on and off the field.
Dale Irving - A bit like Bateman in that he moves the ball around both ways and at pace. Had a good bumper and an even better follow through when he whizzed one around your listeners. Loves giving a bit of advice on your technique (admittedly mine is fairly poor) as well which I always enjoyed.
Scotty Phillips - Ultimate competitor who bowled with zip and did plenty with the ball both ways. Remember having to face a few overs at the end of the day and made a last minute decision not to take the first ball. 2nd ball was a short one that jagged back from outside off and hit Pete Mereszko near the heart. Good decision that one!!
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
John Forrest - Great variations of flight and pace and is a fierce competitor.
Greg Lamb - Always tough to get Lamby away and he loved playing at Crib before we replaced our pitch. He got plenty of bite and bounce from the Clubroom end of the ground.
Lyle House - Another tall spinner, with plenty of zip. Different to most leggies, got plenty of bounce and always quicker through the air.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Anthony Blackwell - A bit of universal choice by the sounds of it. It's not often you play against someone and actually enjoy watching them bat. Just an elegant batsman, who could play every shot in the book and make it look easy doing so.
Bobby Wilson - Quality bat and a quality bloke.
Daniel Warwick - Been on the receiving end of a few great knocks from Dan.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Bobby Wilson made 153 not out against us in 2015, chasing down 317. I remember it being stinking hot and I think he batted in his helmet all day. Was a belter of a knock.
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always seem to cause you a few problems?
Definitely Timmy Bateman. I got away a couple of times against Timmy, but more often than not he had my number.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used?
One of the first games I opened the batting for Crib Point against Red Hill. Reckon it was 2000/01 and we had to go out to bat for 3 overs at the end of the day. Didn’t see the 1st ball from Terry Doyle zip past my ear and the 2nd one was in inswinging Yorker that took out all 3 pegs. I was almost relieved till I heard the “No-Ball” call from the umpire. Faced up again and all I could hear was the short leg laughing and saying “You think he was mad before. You’re in for it now.”
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I’m a bit biased but I couldn’t go past Warren Herrington. He had great feet and ridiculously good hands. Can’t remember him dropping too many.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Anthony Blackwell - Was an exceptional batsman, but his bowling was severely underrated I reckon. Had a ripper bouncer that was always a couple of yards quicker and always on target.
Scotty Phillips - He did it all and did it all well. With the bat he was aggressive, with the ball he was always at you and was the best fielder in the comp by a long way. Just a great competitor that was always impacting the game in some way.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Hard to split Henry Dolphin and Luke Herrington. Both fantastic Captains and even better players. I wouldn't mind adding Brad Glenn as the best Coach I've played under. A great cricket mind, who really broke the game down to its simplest form. Didn't hurt that he is a ripper fella as well!!
Who has been your funniest team mate?
You could throw a blanket over a few I reckon. Luke Herrington, Henry Dolphin, Warren Herrington, Duane Annable, Jay Munday, Glenn Barclay, all funny blokes to play with. We took the piss out of each other more than we ever did the opposition.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
2004/05 Grand Final vs Mt Eliza, Henry Dolphin and I went out to bat on the Sunday after a fairly slow day on the Saturday and when I took guard somebody had left a small doll on the crease. Figured it was a decent dig and thought I knew who left it so I picked it up and gave it to the square leg umpire to look after for me. I got it back in between Innings and waited till Marc Uccello came out to bat and we left it on the crease for him, as I thought it was him who left it for me. It was a pretty tense time in the match and he wasn't too pleased about seeing it. We all had a decent giggle. Wasn't till years later we found out it wasn't Marc at all and it was actually left for Henry.
Who was your childhood hero?
Dean Jones - the Zinc, the popped collar, the sunnies, the arrogance. Loved the way he went about it.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Michael Jordan - The Goat
LeBron James - The King
Muhammad Ali - The Greatest
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Richie Benaud.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Can’t beat my home ground of Crib Point. Also always enjoyed playing at Mt. Eliza. Had some great wins there.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Captaining our 2nds to a Semi Final win in 2019/20, which resulted in us being awarded the Premiership. We were 5/27 batting first when I went in and I was lucky enough to make 100 and push our score up to 211. We ended up winning by 45 runs. Pretty proud moment that one.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Would have to be the 04/05 District Semi Final vs Sorrento. We were rolled for 153 and they were 4/139 in reply. I remember Jay Munday took a one hand blinder at short fine leg (he was supposed to be on the boundary) and we took 6 for 4 to win the game.
Next best win would be the following week when we won the flag against Mt Eliza by 11 runs.
Close behind those would be chasing down 175 against Mt Eliza back in 12/13 after being 8/61. Waide Symes and I put on 117 for the 9th wicket to get us over the line.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
I couldn’t possibly narrow it down. It’d be like choosing which one of your kids you loved most. Just give me the Crib Point deck on a Saturday arvo with whoever turned up and I’d be set.
What are your hobbies?
Along with Cricket, I love my Football. Massive Tiger supporter and still involved at Crib Point FC. Also always been a Basketball fan. Other than that I’m a keen cook. Nothing better than cooking on the spit on a Sunday arvo with a drink or 2.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
"If you aint first, you're last" - Ricky Bobby
What’s your occupation?
Advertising Sales for Mornington Peninsula News Group.
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?
Put a bigger emphasise on 2 day (red ball) cricket and work closer with Clubs to help them access local Schools to grow junior numbers.
