Chris Lanting - enjoy every moment
Somerville Cricket Club | May 18, 2023
Chris Lanting has played all his junior and senior cricket in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association and for Somerville Cricket Club.
Chris has now graduated to Over 50s cricket and also thoroughly enjoys playing.
Let’s find out more about Chris journey in the game
What year you were born?
1972
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
13, U14s Somerville (same side as Knackers Burdett) made a first ball duck.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Played all my Cricket at Somerville Cricket Club, MPCA Veterans
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
14 or 15, 5ths at Somerville under Wayne Delaney and Al Ryder
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?
MPCA Provincial 1sts, can’t remember exactly probably wicketless and batted 10 or 11
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
As a youngster (opening bowler) when I got smarter (More a batsman, specialist fielder)
What were your strengths as a player?
Not a lot early, have got more patient as a old fella
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
111 not out for Somerville 2nds at Jones Rd (thanks Glenn Barclay, dropped me on 80 odd)
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
7/19 off 20 v Heatherhill in 5ths as a 16 or 17 year old
7/40 v Rye in 2nds
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
First 2 Terry Doyle and Shane Wilson looked extremely quick from the non-strikers end, fortunately 9 and 10 looked after me and were out in successive balls.
Chris Robson, Super quick off 18 yard in the cockies cage (nets) at training. Always tried to bat with Robbo at training, not against him.
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Tex Smith - couldn’t get him off the square
Mark O’Sullivan
Ken Broughill
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Rob Bedford- Bush Bradman
Gary Cooper
Darrin Walker
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Graeme Vernon single handily smashed us one day at Rye. Balls were hitting the clubrooms that hard they were nearly coming back to the centre.
Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Anyone who swung the ball in. Two piece balls and before inside thigh guards.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
Probably a District 2nds Grand Final against Baden Powell facing John Harrison and they were all over us, managed to bat 20 or so overs on day 1, just to survive and post a score we could defend. Fortunately we prevailed and I won my first Grand Final at 41.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I remember Gavin Doull (NZ) keeping up to the stumps to Mark Brittain and Greame Young, that was impressive as a young bloke.
Matty Duff and Simon McEvoy were always clean
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Simon McEvoy was always fun to play against, and now as a team mate. Nearly 10,000 1stXI runs for Langy speaks for itself.
Mark O’sullivan, played with and against. Just loves the game hence why he’s still heavily involved.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with? And if you could add a few words to why
Mark O’Sullivan
Brian Stannage, as his deputy we had a pretty good record
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Greg “DONOX” Donnelly, Reptile, Triff, Robbo. We had some funny times
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
The Over 50s make me laugh every day, Scabs, Jugga, Stella, Burger etc (seriously funny guys) that play the game in a fantastic way
Who was your childhood hero?
Gavin Wanganeen and Shane Warne
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Gavin Wanganeen, Shane Warne, Michael Jordan
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Kerry O’Keeffe, more recently Michael Vaughn
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Jones Rd and Butler oval
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Winning 2 Bill Foley Medals (comps best umpire)
2nds Flag
Over 50s Vets first year in the competition we won the flag and remain undefeated
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
2nds premiership flag
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Matty Duff, Kenno, Triff (to share his beer with Kenno) - hahahaha
What are your hobbies?
Golf, Fishing,
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Don’t take life to seriously, and enjoy every moment
What’s your occupation?
Self-employed - Emergency Maintenance contractor for DHHS
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?
Having had a stint umpiring Premier Cricket
I would get rid of one or 2 of the lower grades of Premier cricket and send players back to play at the local clubs to play, but train with the Premier Clubs to get the specialist coaching they provide, Just my opinion.