Brenton Taylor - always compete until the final ball
Balnarring Cricket Club | May 11, 2023
Brenton Taylor has played all his junior and senior cricket for Balnarring Cricket Club.
Brenton has won the club champion award in multiple seasons and has scored over 4,400 runs and his 6 centuries and 18 half centuries to date.
He has also taken 175 wickets at 16.09.
Brenton is the current captain of the club firsts team and was a proud member of the club 2nd premiership winning team in 2008/09
What year you were born?
1993
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I would have been 10 or 11 I would say. I can remember playing at Hastings back oval one on a cold Saturday morning wondering why we were chasing a cold, hard and wet (from the dew) cricket ball around in the field. I think this made my mind up and I wicket kept for the rest of my junior cricket.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I’ve played all my cricket at Balnarring Cricket club. Started in under 12s right through to now. Played several times for the MPCA in rep sides growing up and also South East Sharks under 18s.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
I was 14 when I played my first game in the 3s. I think due to circumstance I played 2s the following 2 matches and then I made my debut in the 1s a few weeks later.
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?
District 1sts at Balnarring. As a pretty young kid the excitement was combined with lots of nerves. I remember wicket keeping watching Trav Barker smash us all over the place and made a great 100. I think I batted 11 and wouldn’t have made many.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Top order bat who tries to bowl little nibblers.
What were your strengths as a player?
I’m a pretty competitive person so no matter what situation the side finds itself in I feel like I always compete until the final ball.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
164 not out against French Island for Balnarring at French Island. Opened the batting with Luke Chapple and put him on the BBQ after about 5 overs. I think I was too scared to walk off and sit next to him if I made no runs so I stayed out there as long as I could.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
7/41 against Dromana a few years ago in the semi final.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Scotty Phillips – Class bowler and cricketer
Andrew Kitson – Could move it both ways and just made you look silly
Adeel Hussain – Good pace and consistency
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Leigh Jansen and Palleguruge off the top of my head.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Simon Dart – always in control from ball one
Nick Christides – takes the game on from ball one
Nick Taranto – Doesn’t miss out on a bad ball – quality bat, cricketer and bloke.
Nick Taranto
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I remember a game at Main Ridge when Michael Holmes carried his bat in a one day game. The bowls club got a good working over.
Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Kitto at YCW. Would snick me off for fun.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
Probably my first 20 games of cricket in the 1s. Keeping to guys like Brent Jones, Nick Henry and Shane Murdoch you knew you always had to be on and concentrating. All three guys use to give their all so if you put a catch down you’d get a decent spray or death stare.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Micky Thompson is the best I’ve seen, especially up to the stumps.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
As a young bloke playing against guys like Scotty Phillips it was a great eye opener as to some of the skills needed to be a quality local cricketer. Cricketers didn’t come too much more competitive than Jugga.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Loved playing under Luke Chapple and Brent Murdoch. Too hard to split.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Tom Hilet was probably the funniest. Whether we were laughing with him or at him, I’m still not sure.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Not banter but Tyler Wilton dropping 5 catches at Frank St one day still makes me laugh.
Who was your childhood hero?
Adam Gilchrist
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Tiger Woods, James Hird and Freddie Flintoff
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Kerry O’Keefe
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Main Ridge is tough to beat.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Several come to mind. Being in the middle when your mates make their first senior hundred is pretty hard to beat. There’s been plenty of great moments during games but too many to list.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
2nds Premiership would be up there. We were on toast until Andrew Dowey ran the batsman out on 60…direct hit from the boundary. Had some great home and away wins too.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Kitto, Nick Taranto and …..
What are your hobbies?
Cricket, Golf
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
If you hit it along the ground, you can’t get caught.
What’s your occupation?
Landscaper
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?
Make sure all coaches, senior and junior have at least a level 1 coaching qualification.
Bring in an under 21 competition similar to the Norm Jardine Shield.
