Glenn Barclay - pitch it up
Crib Point Cricket Club | May 04, 2023
Glenn Barclay is a very proud Life Member of Crib Point Cricket Club and has played for the club since he joined back in 1985.
Let’s find out more about Glenn’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1977
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I started the same year as footy I reckon (1985) so I was 8 or 9. I can’t remember the game so I’m tipping I might have not done much.
?Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Started at Crib Point around 1985/86 and have played every year since.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
In the 4ths around 14 or so. I remember “LUMPY” Herrington was keeping up the jump and said “if it goes down leg, go get it”, I bowled one down leg and he said “off you go”. So I fielded one down leg side off my own bowling.
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?
1sts at Crib against Karingal at Karingal. I was shitting myself coz Big Symo was playing. I took 3 for 11 off 11 and we won the game.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Opening bowler (preferably). Nothing better than a new rock, genuine number 11 and specialist fine leg and square leg fielder.
What were your strengths as a player?
Probably my line and length, ability to bowl long spells for not many runs.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
48 against Moorooduc batting at 10 at their ground. Henry Dolphin was coaching them and took the new pill and gave it to Kenny Cremen. Pretty much closed my eyes and top edged a few sixes, all off the tip of my nose.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
9/24 off 18 v Rye Provincial First. 8/36 off 23 v Heatherhill Provincial Firsts
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Scotty Phillips- no matter what conditions, long or short run-up, 9 times out of 10 he tore us a new one.
Dale Irving- so consistent, busts his arse off, rarely has a bad day
Luke Popov- workhorse, gave his all every ball, career speaks for itself
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Don’t face many spinners at 11 but…
Johnny Forrest- turns them square (joking) great variety, sets amazing fields that you just can’t score off him
Greg Lamb- perfect foil for Scotty and Arnie. Used his height to his advantage and knew how to tie batsmen down
Grant Cudmore- left arm round the wicket with a fast bowlers mentality (he had the mongrel in him) took 6 wickets to win a grand final for us in his last game
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Can’t split Anthony Blackwell, Dan Warrick, Chris Britain and Bobby Wilson. Rarely a bad innings between them, loved the challenge of bowling to them and good to have a beer with after the game
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Henry Dolphin 220 odd v Mt Eliza. We had to bat 5 overs at the end of the day and finished around 0 for 57. Warren Herrington opened with him and was 4 not out, Henry was 53 not out. The following week was pretty easy with the feet up watching him smash them to all parts. It was a new club record that was set the game before when Grant Cudmore made 220. (I was in Queensland that game and missed it)
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always you to cause you a few problems?
All of them.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
First year in Provincial. In the years prior in District, 230 was a good score. That first season in Provincial teams would post 300 plus nearly every match
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Have to be biased here. Warren Herrington. Whether he was back or up to the stumps he was clean and didn’t drop many
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Anthony Blackwell and Adrian Mack. Mainly for the fact that they performed at a very high level week in week out until they retired
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
For about 85% of my career it was either Henry Dolphin or Luke Herrington so I’m gonna have to go with them.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Ben Watson, Jay Munday, Waz and Luke Herrington, Henry Dolphin and Duane Annable. We are all best mates and took the piss out of the opposition but most of the time we were taking the piss out of each other
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
I’ve got 2.
One was when Ben Watson got bowled middle peg by Pete Merezcko at Main Ridge and he turned to square leg and said the keeper knocked the bails off, the umps got together and then let him continue batting.
The other one was when I opened the bowling with Dwayne Field in the U 16’s. I can’t remember who we played but the first over, Fieldy put 3 in a row past this kid’s nose, the kid then said I can’t see em with this helmet on so he took it off. You guessed it next ball BANG, claret everywhere
Who was your childhood hero?
Magic Johnson, Simon Cook
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Brandon Ingram
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Kerry O’Keefe
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Crib Point and Langwarring (always seemed to bowl well there)
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Life membership of Crib Point Cricket Club
District 1st flag 2004/05
2 x 2nd eleven flags
Wedgewood Medal (mostly an all-rounders award so to win it as a bowler I was pretty happy and honoured)
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
2004/05 semi-final and grand final. We had no right to win either games at certain points of the games
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Can’t pick 3, as long as they like running a few over the gums the more the merrier
What are your hobbies?
Drinking, punting, watching the tigers, lakers and chargers
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
“It’s not for pissing out of” and “pitch it up”
What’s your occupation?
Chippy
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?
Keeping kids in the game once juniors have finished. For smaller clubs this is a problem
If it’s wet let’s be realistic and if we aren’t gonna get on, call it and open the bar. Clubs benefit financially and better friendships are made between players and clubs.
