Greg Kellett - if the ball there's to hit, hit it
Tamworth Veterans Cricket | May 18, 2023
Greg Kellet has travelled the country side playing cricket in North West New South Wales and as part of the Tamworth Veterans community he still loves the travel and playing alongside his mates.
He’s represented NSW in Veterans cricket and is the President of Tamworth Veterans Cricket so let’s find out more about his time playing the game
What year you were born?
1958 in Goondiwindi
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I think I was about 10, making up the numbers for North Star in the Yallaroi competition. We played on a property called Windridge and went home with Marthaguy Flea(Burr) in our socks, then built an ant bed pitch in North Star. The truest pitch I’ve ever played on with coir matting and we went home with red socks.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
North Star 1968-72, Warialda Commercials 1972-75, Police Boys Club Tamworth 1975-77, Bective East Tamworth 1978-2014.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
Not sure if you call Yallaroi a grade competition. In Tamworth I was 16 with Police Boys Club 3rd Grade - 123 opening the batting and 5 for 35 opening the bowling
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
16 for Police Boys, not sure how I performed.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Mainly a slow bowler who can bat a bit. Fielded well in younger days. Can play as a backstop.
Representing Tamworth in Vet Cricket
What were your strengths as a player?
Used to be fielding, competitive.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
123 for Police Boys 3rd Grade at Riverside 2 in Tamworth. 122 for Bective East 2nd Grade after coming back from retirement.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Two come to mind. 8 for 16 for Bective East at No.3 Oval in Tamworth and 7.4overs 6 maidens 4 wickets for 2runs for NSW in Aust Over 50 Championships at Molong in 2018. One other was 7 for 100 off 33 overs at No.1 Oval in Tamworth
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Brian Camarsh (played with him at Bective East after I left Police Boys). The only other bowler I have seen who could do what he did was Richard Hadlee. Ross Taylor just bowled all day on the spot. Rod Richards was always at the body.
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Bob Hickson bowled all day for no runs always making the batsman play. Tim Wooster turned the ball from varying angles always at the batsman, Ro Shelton fast leggie attacked all the time. A footnote. One year in Tamworth 1st Grade five teams had left hand spinners with Ro Shelton being the odd one out.
Greg Kellett with his brother Tom playing NSW Veterans Cricket
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Terry Browne he didn’t look like he was scoring very fast, but taking four or five an over without trying, Allan Heppell scored the most elegant 100 I ever saw in Tamworth, Graeme Thomas I don’t think I ever saw anyone hit a ball as hard without any effort.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Dave Baxter 177 at Riverside 1 in Tamworth on a wet deck. A lesson of concentration.
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always you to cause you a few problems?
Tim Wooster always
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in grade cricket and you really had to knuckle down to survive?
I didn’t play representative cricket until I was 50 and then only a few games, but the one that stands out is the Northern NSW v England Over 60s in Tamworth 2019. They warmed up for an hour before the game and then warmed down after. During the game they handed us a lesson.
Northern NSW v England Over 60's in Tamworth 2019
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Bronte Reed closely followed by Barry Everingham
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Dave Baxter as a batsman and Brian Camarsh as a bowler
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Albie Barwick at Bective East. He just knew when to make changes and we had a very good team.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Steve Allan
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Over 60s Championships in Adelaide 2019. QLD Vets had a story about a guy who scored no runs from two innings of one ball. We played QLD 3rd day and I met Rod Rice and mentioned this. He came out to bat and I moved in close and said look out guys this fellow will run on the first ball. He proceeded to hit the first ball straight back to the bowler. Next day on Facebook it was mentioned he took a catch so had more catches than runs. The other one was the England 60s. They were funny all game
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
Probably the one against England where I tried to hit back over the bowlers head and fell on the ground with cramp.
Who was your childhood hero?
My dad and my brother
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Mitch Aubusson from the Roosters, Ash Barty and Viv Richards
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Was Norman May
What was your favourite ground to play at?
A night game at No.1 Oval Tamworth
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Any team from Sydney in Vets cricket. Back in the 80s in Tamworth there were six very good teams and all games were very competitive. Many players transferred to Tamworth with work. Some had played first grade in Sydney.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Playing against the touring England team. Representing NSW 60s with my brother and playing in the same team as my two sons.
NSW Kangaroos Over 50 at the National Championships in 2018
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
I played one Country Cup game against Wallsend. Tom Groth was captain and he described it as the best win he had with a Tamworth team. A T20 game in Tamworth we scored 103, the other team lost their first wicket at 85 with about 5 overs left and didn’t get them.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Brian Camarsh, Andrew Pieper, My brother Tom
You’re now playing over 60s cricket, what the best part of playing veterans cricket and what advice would you offer anyone over 60 who is thinking about playing again?
Camaraderie, travelling to places I haven’t been to and having my wife as a travelling companion. Don’t say you have any ailments because we all do. Can’t run, most of us can’t. Can’t throw, so what, throw underarm.
What are your hobbies?
Sport, sport and more sport. Golf
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
My Dad told me if the ball is there to hit, hit it
What is your occupation?
I am a self-employed plumber trying to wind down so I can play more cricket
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Only play Vets cricket nowadays. I am currently President of Tamworth Veterans Cricket.
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?
Always put people in jobs who you know can do the job to your satisfaction.
