Craig Entwistle played all his junior cricket on the Mornington Peninsula.
He played seniors for Frankston Cricket Club and was with the club as they migrated to the Victorian Premier Cricket Competition.
Craig played Premier Cricket for 3 clubs starting with Frankston peninsula in 1994/95 where he had 7 seasons, 6 seasons with Hawthorn and 6 seasons with Casey South Melbourne.
After retiring from Premier Cricket he made his way back to the Peninsula.
In 206 Victoria Premier Cricket games Craig scored 4,909 runs at an average of 26.11 and he hit 4 centuries and 28 half centuries. His highest score was 141.
With the ball he took 125 wickets at an average of 33.34 with best figures of 4 for 26. He took 81 catches.
As he played 206 games Craig is a proud member of the Cricket Victoria 200 Club.
Craig still plays for Baden Powell Cricket Club and was the clubs First XI captain when the team won back to back premierships in 2017/18 and 2018/19.
Let’s find out more about Craig’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1975
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I would have been 9 turning 10 in the Under 12’s at Pines. I vaguely remember having a County cricket bat and very small boy’s pads. I remember wicket keeping at the start of games until the opening bowlers had finished then changing to bowl my genuine medium slow seam uppers. I enjoyed opening the batting from this age.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I started at Pines in the Under 12’s and played there throughout Under 12’s and 14’s. During the under 12’s I was lucky enough to get selected in the Hatch Shield team which made it through to the final against a fairly strong Malvern team. It was during these tournaments that I got to play on turf and had decided spin bowling was a far better option, considering there was no way I was going to be tall enough to bowl with any considerable pace.
I had developed some good friendships with the players from these rep teams and in Under 16s I moved to Frankston Cricket Club where I was able to play juniors in the MPCA as well as seniors in the Sub-District Cricket teams on turf.
The first year of Under 16’s at Frankston was elite playing alongside with Brad Williams (former Australia opening bowler), Gavin Thompson and Dion Kratz (Australia U19 representatives), as well as several other players who would go on to become Provincial Premiers and elite local senior cricketers.
I played seniors with Frankston until aged 24 during the migration from VSDCA to Premier cricket.
During this time I was lucky enough to be awarded a scholarship to the Victorian Institute of Sport which gave a great foundation and understanding of what elite cricketers did to prepare and hone my own skills with the extremely talented players around the state.
After a brief stint at Karingal I moved to Hawthorn Premier Cricket team where I was fortunate to play in a strong team that made it through to the Premier grand final. We lost the game but it was one of the best games of cricket I have ever played in for all of the experiences gained both on and off the field.
After 7 years at Hawthorn I moved to Casey-South Melbourne who had moved their ground to Cranbourne. I remained at CSMCC for a number of years before returning to Hawthorn Monash to finish my Premier Cricket Journey after 21 years in the system.
I then moved to coach Kingston Saint in the VSDCA before returning to the MPCA at Mount Eliza, then Pines and now at Baden Powell CC.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
My first 1st XI game was at Frankston while they were still in the VSDCA as a 16/17 year old. I remember being scared stiff when I came out to bat at the prospect of facing some of the fast bowlers that were going around at that time.
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?
I was fortunate enough to be selected in my first premier 1st XI game as an 18 year old way back in 1994. I wish mycricket went back that far but I vaguely recall it was on the new Butler Oval against Essendon and the first bowler I scored off was Paul Wilson. A huge opening fast bowler who would later join Frankston. I sort of remember flicking it off the pads for a couple and do not really think I saw much of it but took it anyway.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I am a very competitive cricketer, who dislikes losing any games. I am determined with the bat and bowl slow off spin.
What were your strengths as a player?
As a player I feel I can read the situation of a game well and have enough variety and options both with bat and ball to change to suit to situation of the game.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
141 against Carlton at Casey South Melbourne CC. (148no in England for Altofts)
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
9-25 v Rosebud at Overport Park.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Damien Fleming – unbelievable ability to swing the ball both ways and I had no idea which way it was going.
Shane Harwood – he was the scariest to face because he genuinely wanted to hurt you and had the speed to do it.
Brad Williams – although I was lucky enough to play in the same team as him early, when he moved to Melbourne CC he was the quickest by far that I had to play against, maybe being so young having to face him.
Damien Fleming
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Abdul Qadir – easily the fastest spinner I have ever played against that turned it both ways without picking him. Oh and a decent quicker ball too.
Bryce McGain – played with and against Bryce and his ability to read players, change his pace, spin it both ways is awesome. So much respect for what he can do with the ball.
Yohan Maddege – in MPCA he is clearly the best going around. Spins it well both ways and is a great competitor.
Abdul Qadir
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Warren Ayers was a gun who always seems so calm and relaxed at the crease. He hit balls to all parts easily and once set was so hard to get out.
Simon Dart – the freak! Lucky enough to play with and against Darty. Again, so similar to Ayers, so hard to get out once he is set and beware if you rile him up.
Graeme Rummans – always makes runs, never seems to be rattled and always in control.
Warren Ayres
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Liam Buchanan (Geelong CC) He made 200 odd before tea one day out at Geelong. He was unbelievable, hitting to all parts of the ground.
Matthew Mott’s 160 odd was also amazing and I was lucky enough to have the best spot to watch it from at the non-strikers end for most of the time.
Rhys Elmi’s match winning 73 not out again Main Ridge in the Grand Final in 2018/19 was also a special innings as well.
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Paul Boraston – Dandenong CC always caused me issues and probably got me out every time we played them.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
In Premier Cricket we used to be able play at the bigger footy stadiums like the Cattery, Optus Oval (Carlton FC home ground), Punt Road (Richmond FC home ground), Windy Hill and Victoria Park (Collingwood FC home ground). It was always an occasion to play on those grounds. The internal drive to do well at the best grounds was always a good challenge. They usually had decent players too to make it an even bigger challenge.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Peter Roach was exceptional behind the stumps. His captaincy was unbelievable as well. He always knew how to get under the batsman’s skin too which always makes you a better wicketkeeper.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
At Casey South Melbourne I played with Roger Sillence and Peter Trego. Both from England and both were freaks of cricketers who hit a big ball and bowled decent wheels.
Simon Dart has to be in this section. He prepares so well, trains hard and can contribute so well in all areas. A competitor who can win a game on his own.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
As mentioned above, Peter Roach was elite in every aspect of his captaincy. I never was on the receiving end of a huge spray that I had heard about during his earlier days as captain, but to have earned the honour at a Premier club at the age of 21 and leading the club to a flag is a fair feat in itself.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
There are a few over the years. Matthew Cox was always up to something both on and off the field and I always found him great fun to be around.
Recently Dan Di-Paolo is similar and can find something funny most days either at training or on game day.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
In more recent years, one of our younger players was opening the batting against Jake Wood of Sorrento. Jake was bowling with a head of steam, and with some genuine pace at Overport. The player played a nice strong straight drive passed Jake and words may have exchanged about where the rest of the over might be pitched.
Our young opener may have replied cheekily. Needless to say the next ball was short and, in readiness, our opener rocked back and dispatched Jake over the mid-wicket fence for six. Jake had extended his follow through down the wicket somewhat close to our batsman and in the exchange of words our opener kindly blew him a kiss through the grill of the helmet with his accompanying hand. Jake took four or five wickets that day and we lost the game but we laugh about that still.
Who was your childhood hero?
Brian Lara was amazing to watch. Whenever he played in Australia I would be glued to the TV until he got out. Being left handed and such an aggressive smaller cricketer really struck a chord with me.
Slightly later was Sachin Tendulkar. Needless to say, he is the master batsman with the best technique and in my eyes personified the art of batting.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Christiano Ronaldo, Sachin Tendulkar, Rafael Nadal
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
I like listening to Michael Vaughan give his analysis of games as well as Shane Warne. Both give somewhat recent views based on their deep knowledge and understanding of the game. Plug to Dirk Nannes too for giving commentating a go too.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Optus Oval (Carlton FC home ground). Loved playing in the arena with the atmosphere and the wicket seemed to suit both for batting and my bowling.
The Albert (Melbourne CC home ground) a close second. Loved playing with the traditional pavilion to watch from and the wicket was also a great one for batting mostly.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Playing in a grand final is a great day always, win or lose. Winning flags is the most memorable games of all time. The one at Frankston in the seconds and the back to back flags at Baden Powell were awesome.
Scoring hundreds and taking 6 or more wickets are nice too, but come nowhere near winning flags.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
The grand final win against Main Ridge was awesome. We were given a good total to chase down, which previously had not been a strength for our team. We planned well for nearly half the season that year to be ready mentally to chase down any target we were set during finals. It paid off with a great batting effort from everyone.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
I’ll offend any team-mate I don’t name by listing just 3 people so to avoid that I’ll go with Mark O’Sullivan (Sully), Keith Jansz and Bob Riddle. All three I have coached with, so always up for a deep and meaningful chat about cricket. Throw Ken Piesse into that mix too and many a good story will be told.
What are your hobbies?
I love bike riding in spare time, walking the dog, getting out in the garden and swimming. I am a pretty keen Manchester United fan too so will watch their games whenever they are on at a reasonable time.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Don’t continue to do the things you always do or you will always get what you’ve always got.
What’s your occupation?
I am the Assistant Principal of Kunyung Primary School. Love what I do and the people and families I work with there.
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?
Throw as much money at junior cricket as I can to get the best coaching available to our young cricketers. Without a constant batch of young talent who love playing cricket coming through there is no future.
Develop employment and educational opportunities in cricket for our aspiring young cricketers to coach and develop cricketers around the state. I.e. representative teams.
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