Steven Spoljaric has played Premier Cricket in both Sydney and Melbourne. Originally from Newcastle Steven moved to Sydney and played for Manly Warringah District Cricket Club and is player number 1,235 for the club. Steven was a highly regarded and successful player at Manly
He moved to Melbourne and played 6 seasons, 3 for South Melbourne and 3 for hawthorn Monash. He scored 3,996 runs at 40.36 including 11 centuries and 21 half centuries. With the ball he took 174 wickets at 23.86.
Steven now plays for Bundalaguah in Sale Victoria
What year you were born?
11 April 1977
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I was 8 playing Under 10 with a club called Mayfield Colts. Not sure how I went.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I started in Newcastle playing for Hamilton Wickham and when I went to Sydney I played for Manly Warringah. When I moved to Melbourne I joined South Melbourne and then Hawthorn Monash. Lots of local clubs after finishing up in Premier Cricket and I also played in the U.K as well.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I was 17 and playing 2nd grade and scored 70 off not out.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I was 18 and can’t remember how I went.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Top order batting all-rounder
What were your strengths as a player?
Batting and fielding. I loved the pressure and thought it brought the best out of me.
You moved from Sydney to Melbourne at the beginning of the 2003/04 season. What prompted the move?
At Manly I was playing with quality players and it took my cricket to another level. I understood there was quite the queue to get to the next level in NSW so I thought I was ready to go it on my own and went to Victoria where I could hopefully stand out more and get the opportunity to play first class cricket
Are you able to share the difference, if there is any, between playing Premier Cricket in Melbourne compared to Sydney?
In Sydney it’s a much faster game with a lot more better players in the competition. All clubs had bowlers in 140kph plus whereas there weren’t so many in Victoria.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
180 odd but can’t remember where.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I had a few 5 wicket hauls in Victoria
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Dirk Nannes – I scored a ton but never felt comfortable against him even after reaching the century
Kim Daley - came in to face him at Manly Oval on a hard green top and boy he was rapid.
Peter Siddle - not quick but was always on a dime and kept coming
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Brad Haddin – on this particular day he smashed our attack and they’d been dominating going into the game.
Graeme Rummans - I played many games against Graeme from the age of 20 to the end of our Premier cricket day and he just placed the ball where he wanted to, very hard to set a field to.
Liam Buchanan - he scored a ton in 20 overs with still 80 overs to bowl. I believe we actually still won the game
Brad Haddin
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Darren Stevens we were chasing nearly 400 at the Albert against Melbourne. He scored nearly 200 and middled every ball.
Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Not really, it depends on the conditions more than the bowler.
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?
In one of my early first grade games for Manly we played Mosman who had the Lee brothers, Andrew Strauss and a couple off first class players. We had Michael Bevan and about 4 state players ourselves. Sitting waiting to bat and watching a young Brett Lee off his long run I thought “yep I’m in the ocean and there is a few great white sharks here today.”
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Nathan Pilon had the quickest hands.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
James Pipe was the most competitive player ever and was great for our team.
Matthew Phelps was a run machine and just set games up with his batting and presents.
Matthew Phelps
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Craig Glassock at Manly. The reverend was a genius at placing fielders and reading the game.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Clearly Jamie Sullivan - the wind sock
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Matthew Phelps was notorious for changing is gloves every few overs. So some boys at Manly thought it would be a good laugh to take Matthew’s full kit out to him when he next wanted new gloves. The big fella exploded which made it even funnier.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
I was facing the hat trick ball and it seemed to be going down leg but hit my thigh pad and rolled onto the stumps
Who was your childhood hero?
Watching Mark Waugh bat was the best
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Princes Park Carlton. I average about 200 there and loved it.
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
Not really. In Sydney playing finals was an amazing standard and I loved it.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Winning the Jack Ryder medal in Victoria
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Playing local cricket for Cranbourne and in the grand final we won it reverse outright after getting smashed first innings.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
James Pipe, Jamie Sullivan and pretty boy Timmy Cruikshank.
What are your hobbies?
Train a few greyhounds
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Always look forward and if people talk about you it means you are doing something right.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Playing for Bundalaguah Cricket Club in Sale, country Victoria
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?
A happy club is a great club. Install confidence and a little arrogance into players.
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