Greg Rowell was a fast bowler who played first class cricket for New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania. In 46 first class games he took 147 wickets at an average of 30.98 and in 27 one day games he took 27 wickets at 34.03.
Welcome Greg
What is your nickname?
Growler, Reg, Bird
Where were you born and in what year?
Born Sydney (Lindfield) 1966 but moved to Canberra from about 2 years old
Do you remember your first ever game of cricket?
First game South Woden (Canberra) U13’s. Opened batting with brand new SP Flatback bowled first ball ‘corker yorker’ but took 2 wicket
Where did you play your junior cricket?
South Woden Juniors in Canberra
Which clubs have you played for?
South Woden in Canberra, Mosman in Sydney, Western Suburbs in Brisbane and UTAS in Hobart
How old were you when you first played grade cricket?
15, 5th grade South Woden 1981
What age did you make your first grade debut?
17 - Canberra South Woden 1983 at O’Oonnor v Wests, First Grade Sydney Mosman v Parramatta when I was 21 in 1987
What prompted the move from NSW to Queensland and then to Tasmania?
Moved from NSW to QLD to get more opportunity after being dropped from NSW Sheffield Shield team late in 1991 season and then moved to Tasmania to do Law in 1998 and was asked to play when I got there
Can you remember your best bowling figures?
7 for 46 Qld v Tasmania Hobart 1991 and 10 wickets for the match
You always enjoyed batting what was your highest score in State Cricket and then Premier Cricket?
I think I got 42 not out in Adelaide for NSW with Michael Bevan at the other end getting one of his 5 first class centuries on the trot (Henry declared after Bevo raised the bat for the ton). 46 not out v South Australia at the Gabba 1994 (Stuart Law declared after AB raised the bat for the ton
Highest 2 day Score in Premier Cricket 70 v Valleys 2002 and 86 in a one day game
You played for Australia A, what was the highlight of that experience?
Just getting picked was a highlight but I think Australia v Australia A Final in Sydney in front of a big crowd and bowling the last over in a close game
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
The whole of the 1994/95 season was a great time in my life. The last of the good years before a lean trot on and off the field. But the games fade and the friendships endure.
Who’s been the biggest influence in your cricket career?
I was hard to coach but I think in my younger years when I was pretty impressionable. Dennis Lillie, then later on Geoff Lawson, Mike Whitney and Carl Rackemann. I just loved everything about those fast bowlers. Charismatic, strong characters but really humble people.
Who was the funniest cricketing team mate?
Dean Tuckwell, has a talent for the quick or smart comment and the cruel observation, Jimmy Maher for impersonations kept things lively, but all cricket is pain and provides plenty of material for all of us
Who were the top 3 batsman you bowled to?
I am tempted to channel Curtly Ambrose here when asked who he rated, “I never respected any batsmen, but found David Boon quite hard to get out.” OK…but I know my place
Justin Langer, unorthodox and would hit you in areas that were impossible to prevent and so determined he would tire you out just looking at him.
Ricky Ponting – Just latched on to anything short and strong everywhere.
Brian Lara, only bowled to him once but he was the best of his time.
Who is your favourite all time cricketer?
Matt Hayden’s rise was a great story in a time when there are less great stories in sport with full time professionalism. I think I was lucky to be proximate to his early career to watch and just great team mate and player
Dean Tuckwell at Wests was a bloke that I played some cricket with over 15 years. He made you enjoy the whole game more, the friendships in the opposition, the social side of the field and all the stuff that with time becomes much more important. One of those great Club players in Brisbane that scored heavily against all comers but never picked for State, he was a good player in any company and the respect of all that saw him play. Premier Cricket has a few of them to be fair.
What was the best win you were involved in?
Perth 1994/95 QLD v WA. People forget what a hard gig Perth was in the 90’s. We were behind first innings. I had never had a good game in Perth prior to that but started to get the hang of it in that game and whole team just got into the slog and we got a tight win. Great celebrations and a big moment for that group of players to grow in confidence in a memorable year
If you’re in the middle seat of the middle row of Qantas QF1flight to London which team mates would you choose to on your left and right?
Carl Rackemann without doubt the standout. Wisdom, humour and courageous disclosure. Did a few flights with Carl but the flight to Perth 1992 will stay with me for life.
Paul Jackson, endless appetite for discussion, broad knowledge (opinion) nothing ever too heavy and hide as thick as a rhino. Does not embarrass and does not get offended, my kind of tourist
Did you have any cricketing superstitions?
Not overly superstitious but I liked to have something new in the kit. Limited budget meant this was usually new socks but a brand spanking Slazenger V500 would have even better.
I liked to give my hat to the Umpire rather than hand it to a fielder at start of an over. I can’t remember an over where I got a wicket after giving my hat to the fielder (so maybe I am superstitious)
Most favourite ground to play at?
SCG, I went there as a kid with Dad, then later I used to run past and around it when I moved to Sydney to play Cricket and living on bar wages and unlikely dreams. Always special to walk out on the SCG.
Who was the fastest bowler you ever faced?
Alan Donald was quick but as expected.
Jason Gillespie was quick and not expected when I faced him in Adelaide late one afternoon. Genuinely fearful I was going to get hit in the head a long way from home.
A 16 year old Brett Lee as a no name net bowler in 1992 before Sheffield Shield final sticks out
Facing Carl “Mocca” Rackemann on a fitness test in the Adelaide nets worthy of mention
Who was the best spinner you played against?
Warnie (I wasn’t there for long), Tim May was best of the rest (Sorry Jacko)
What’s the best advice you ever received?
Had plenty of it but I think was a slow learner. Moving to Tasmania to broaden myself was the best decision I ever made. A tough decision but coach at the time John Buchanan understood why and was very supportive. Very difficult to walk away from the cricket dream but looking back best cricket decision I ever made was knowing that Test Cricket wasn’t going to happen and that it was time.
Are you still involved in Cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Still involved. President of Wests, Secretary of Chelmer Sports. Recently Qld Cricket Committees for Premier and Strategy Committee and I weigh in on the odd Qld Cricket AGM vote. I do Club committee stuff these days, not much actual cricket but always play a game or two somewhere in the season.
What advice would you offer a young 13 year old who has the ambition of playing test cricket?
Just play as much as you can and hang around after and learn. (Get volume of bowling for rhythm and get core abdominal strength.
What are your hobbies?
Limited with young children, hanging out with my wife and children, surfing, I read a lot of history and follow politics and Canberra Raiders way too closely.
Who do you support in the State of Origin, NSW or Queensland?
I follow NSW. I have lived in QLD since 1991 but once the game starts I can’t help but want to see the Blues hit them hard. Some lean years ensured the locals always got me a ticket to go to Lang Park
What is your occupation?
Lawyer
You may as well give your employer a plug, who do you work for?
RowelLegal, boss flogs me hard but OK with the late start after drop off
Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general?
It’s about the journey not the destination but dream big, no one else will dream for you. Very lucky to have shared dressing rooms with the blokes I played with. Lessons for life, hard work is overrated, work smarter. (Not easy for bowlers I know)
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