Brad Watson - take the game on
Crib Point Cricket Club | May 07, 2023
Crib Point Cricket Club has played a significant role in the life of Brad Watson.
Brad played juniors and seniors with Crib Point and he’s also moved into the coaching ranks with other clubs as well.
An aggressive opening batsman Brad was selected in Crib Point Cricket Club team of the decade 2008-18.
Let’s find out more about Brad’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1982
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Played Tootgarook at Cyril Fox Reserve, I think I got 2 runs
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Crib Point CC, Balnarring CC (3yrs with 2yrs as coach) and Hastings CC (2yrs with 1 as coach). I loved the opportunities coaching and playing at other clubs but Crib has a different feel as it’s been a big part of my life over my sporting years.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
13yrs old in the 4ths under the guidance of Count (Kevin Anderson)
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?
Provincial 1sts for Crib Point CC and l made my debut when l was 16. I can’t remember how l went but don’t think l set the world on fire
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Aggressive opening batsmen who could impersonate bowling like Paul Adams (South African leg spinner)
?What were your strengths as a player?
I backed myself to take the game on.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
163 is my highest score for Crib Point 2nd XI but my highest score in the first was 120 as night watchmen when l came up after scoring the 163 against Frankston East (can’t remember the year).
I was meant to bat at 10 from memory but with only a couple of overs l was asked to pad up. Made it through the first day then batted majority of the next day to get my first hundred at Frank Street. I actually got bowled on 97 but it was a front foot no ball.... got abused by the teammates watching and told to knuckle down...next ball l straight drove for 4 to bring it up.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
In the First XI I took 5 for 32 for Crib against Moorooduc at home. I bowled as a last resort as things were looking grim as they looked like making plenty....we went on to bat 2nd and win the game.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
As a young kid definitely Craig Symonds....tall and got so much bounce
Brent Jones was a fantastic bowler from Balnarring CC who could bowl all day l feel stopped playing too early
Adrian Mack.....pure class enough said
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Opening the bat you didn’t really see too many early on but these guys were the best l faced:
Dwayne Doig.....had the ability to continually ask questions of you all the time
Paul Bradley....unbelievable player...got the better of him one day at Crib but he made 130 not out the next with the stick to win the game but same again consistently hit areas that asked questions of you.
Rupert White.....Left arm Chinaman who l had no bloody idea what he bowled....only played him twice but could not pick him
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Anthony Blackwell.....Freak had every shot and the time to play them all
Daniel Warwick.....Another who had all the shots....his hundred in a semi against us at Crib was brilliant in such an important game
Gareth Wyatt....Early on l use to love fielding in close and giving a lot of lip under the lid at bat pad.....knowing how important Gareth was to Main Ridge l felt obligated to get under his skin...worst thing l did as it probably got him more into the game....genuine class player l have admired for a long time
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Best innings l have seen would actually be Darren Kerr knock for Rosebud....it wasn’t a magnificent hundred or anything like that but mental toughness takes you a long way and Kerry has it in spades. Unfortunately, Kerry lost sight in one eye a little while ago but that didn’t stop him from opening the batting for Rosebud against us (Balnarring.C.C) when l was coaching. We didn’t have any genuine quicks but he toughed it out and showed our young group what it meant to be a senior cricketer.
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Not really but a lot of sides started to figure me out and take the pace off the ball early on which l hated
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used?
Probably my first hundred l previously mentioned...l had been opening in the 2nds making heaps and finally got an opportunity to open in the ones.....it wasn’t a normal aggressive innings like l usually tried to play but one that seen me bat for the best part of 50-60 overs.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Wazza Herrington had an unbelievable set of hands up to the stumps at Crib Point for nearly all bowlers.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Grant Cudmore - unbelievable competitor who you walked taller for having him in your side as he looked after the young guys.
Henry Dolphin - Crib took a big leap of faith in recruiting an overseas player in Henry but he paid the club back in spades. Underrated in a sense, the bloke isn’t spoken about with higher regard l feel in the MPCA with his achievements.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with? And if you could add a few words to why?
Hard to split these two:
Henry for his ability to lead by example for others to follow with his efforts with both bat and ball (putrid fielder though)
Luke Herrington probably instilled the most belief out of anyone in me and gave me the most opportunity to be a senior First XI cricketer....backed me to play my game.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Had a few but can’t go past Glenn Barclay and Jay Munday (getting locked up during a finals game on the Saturday night at a mate’s birthday at the Dava is quite funny and spending a night in the cells). Special mentions to Gav Symes and Jake Hewitt for different reasons which won’t be mentioned.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
I was fielding at bat pad in our First XI Grand Final for Crib Point CC against Baxter West (Mt Eliza) at Mornington and the game was getting tight, and l liked to have a bit of a chat to the batsmen. Forget who it was but he smashed one straight into my knee and said “l hope it hurt *@#t”! My reply was not as much as it will when we beat you *@#@*...
Who was your childhood hero?
Passionate Melbourne Dees supporter so l loved Steven Tingay, Alken Jakovich and the Wiz (Jeff Farmer)
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Steven Tingay, Alken Jakovich and Jeff Farmer
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Love how tactical Ponting is but who doesn’t love Kerry O'Keefe
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Loved Seaford (small square of the wicket)
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Taking 4 catches at bat pad (All off Grant Cudmore) and the match winner in our grand final win over Baxter West (Mt Eliza).
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Has to be the grand final but our semi was ridiculous against Sorrento....can’t remember exactly but we took the new ball after tea and l think took 6 for stuff all to skittle them.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Can have a bbq with anyone alive therefore from Crib so 3 blokes who are no longer with us. My dad (self-explanatory), Noddy Davidson (Club legend who helped form Crib Point CC) and Geoff Birchall (awesome fella who tragically lost his life playing a legends game between Crib Point CC and Balnarring CC. All of whom were passionate about the club and everyone involved at it.
What are your hobbies?
Being a hospitality worker you don’t have many to enjoy but cricket, footy and spending time with family
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Lumpy Herrington “The grass is long but the air is thin, so go out there and smash them"
What’s your occupation?
Venue Manager - Hotel Sorrento
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?
Player retention in the game locally is paramount for clubs and being a supporter now and seeing how hard it is to keep people actively involved within clubs is critical to the success of local sports. In saying that though l feel there could be benefit in losing 3rds and 4ths Premier Cricket and getting players back to bolster club stocks which will see local competitions become stronger.
Attempt to attract more specialist coaches into local sporting associations and or clubs to ensure at local junior level we have the resources to keep kids engaged in
