Dominic Thornley - test the boundaries

Dominic Thornley made his first class cricket debut for New South Wales in December 2003.

In a tremendous career Dominic played 83 first class and 100 one day games for NSW and must have been very close to Australian selection in both formats.

In the 2005/05 season Dominic scored 1,065 first-class runs at an average of 62.65 including 4 centuries.

In first-class cricket Dominic scored 5,166 runs at an average of 42.69 and hit 10 centuries and 29 half centuries. In one day cricket he scored 2,406 runs at 29.34 with 2 centuries and 15 half centuries.

With the ball Dominic took 56 wickets in first-class cricket and 52 in one-day cricket.

In NSW Premier Cricket from 1996 to 2013 Dominic scored 7,407 runs at 44.89 including 15 centuries and 43 half centuries. He also took 262 wickets.

A wonderful career, let’s find out more about Dominic's journey

 

Welcome Dominic

Firstly, what year were you born and where?

1978 in Albury.

Where did you go the high school?

James Fallon High School in Albury

Do you remember your first ever game of cricket?

I remember playing Lavington Little league cricket on the Lavington Sports ground, which had numerous matches going on, my first proper game was in an U/12 match playing for East Albury Cricket Club, I was 10 and I think I was out LBW for 6.

Where did you play your junior cricket?

East Albury Cricket Club

At what age did you move to Sydney and why did you choose to play for Northern District?

I moved when I was 18 after I completed school. I played at Northern District as I had a strong relationship with club mentor Rocky Harris who was my NSW U/17 team Manger when I played in the U/17 National championships. Rocky and his wife housed me for a few months whilst I established my move to Sydney.

What age did you make your first grade debut?

I was 19 when I played my first game for Northern District at Asquith Oval. We played Manly on a dicey deck where we won outright. I scored 6 and took a few wickets.

What was your highest score in first grade?

I think it was 167 against Sutherland at Glenn McGrath Oval. We chased 280 odd and lost by 20 odd runs.

How many years did you play at Northern District and why the move to Sydney Cricket Club?

I’m the 333^rd player to represent the NDCC and played from 1996-97 until 2010-11. I then played 2 seasons with the Sydney Cricket Club before returning for my last season of cricket with Northern District. I moved to Sydney CC purely for a work opportunity where I was working in a marketing business and the connection with the Sydney CC and the SCG Trust enabled my to access to SCG for a sponsor event I was working on.

You played 83 first class games, 100 one day for the NSW Blues, a wonderful first class career – how do you look back on your first class career?

I played in an incredible era of Australian cricket. I played all 66 matches for NSW without being dropped out of the 12. I was never the standout player as there were so many superstars but I contributed and played a role. I played with all the greats, Steve & Mark Waugh, Taylor, Slater, Bevan, MacGill and then the other great era of players, Katich, Haddin, Clarke, Hughes, Stuart Clark, Bracken, Warner and Steve Smith. I was part of 10 winning titles from Shield wins, Domestic One day wins, Big Bash wins and Champions league wins with both NSW and the Sydney Sixers.

What was your highest score for NSW?

261 not out Vs Western Australia at the SCG

You and Stuart MacGill famously put on 219 for the last wicket in a Shield game against WA in 2004. NSW were 9 for 200 when Stuart strode to the crease. How many were you at the time and what did you say to him when he came out?

I was on 76 not out at the time Stu came in and we worked a plan that I would face the first 4 balls of each over and not give their bowlers a chance to bowl consistently at Stu. They kept the field back for me so I tried to score as many runs off the first four balls as possible and then watched Stu face 70 balls over 2 sessions whilst we put on 219.

Can you describe the innings and what was being said between the two of you?

I was hitting the ball cleaner as the innings went on. They took the 2^nd new ball and all I remember hearing was MacGill nailing them “Mistake, Big Mistake” he was saying out loud.  I hit 11 sixes which is still an Australian domestic record for the most sixes in an Australian first class innings passing David Hookes innings. MacGilla was good, he kept the two balls per over and then allowed me to take on their spinners Casson and Hogg.

You ended up 261 not out and NSW were all out for 419 and won the game by an innings, how do you look back on the innings, was it the best you played?

I remember we had just came back from the Gabba where we were flogged by Queensland and after wining the toss on a slow SCG deck we were 9 for 200 so we needed something to get a score on the board. It was the cleanest I’ve hit the ball in my life and I felt in good rhythm through the innings. I remember the innings knocked Makaybe Diva off the back page of the paper the next day as it was on the Melbourne Cup day that I broke Hookes’ record!

Dominic and Stuart

You were also a handy medium pace bowler with 56 first class wickets, do you have a favorite dismissal?

I’d take any wicket. I bowled a lot in Grade cricket but the flatter wickets and rise in level at first class level saw me turn to off spin at the back end of my career for the Blues. We needed a part time spinner as this was often the hardest to play when it spun at the SCG.

Is there a particular bowler or scenario in a game in first class cricket where you thought, this is going to a challenge and a step above the norm?

We were batting on the last day on an Adelaide Oval wicket that was up and down chasing 130 odd for a win. We were 5 for 12 at one stage I batted at 4 and ended up winning by 1 wicket and I was 47 not out against Tait and Gillespie who were on fire ripping through our top order. The match was off the back of a few losses and I was challenged to start winning some matches for our team at that stage. So it was a great piece of leadership by Haddin and Trevor Bayliss at the time but a memorable win.

Who were the top 3 bowlers you played against in first class cricket?

Jason Gillespie, consistency, patience and skill was immaculate. He gave you nothing to hit with speed and aggression.

Andy Bichel had amazing energy, passion, swing and pace. He was a workhorse, when you thought he was done he found another gear.

Ashley Noffkke was a skillful bowler who had my measure and he found a way to get me on most occasions particularly at the Gabba.

Who were the 3 players you admired most from other states in first class cricket?

Martin Love – made batting look so easy. His ability to face fast bowling was almost embarrassing; he never raised a sweat but scored so many runs.

Darren Lehmann – Could hit the ball anywhere and he often looked like he was batting with a round baseball bat and he could take a bowler from leg stump through backward point and from 6^th stump to fine leg. Freak skill and amazing player.

Damien Martyn – Batted on a different wicket to every one else. Never hit the ball hard but it came off a rapid speed. His ability to not move yet hit the ball on the up was a joy to watch from backward point

What did you find most challenging about playing first class cricket?

I had one ground that challenged me the most and that was the Gabba. Coming up from Country NSW and Sydney I preferred the slow low wickets so every year the green quick Gabba was a challenge. The competition was strong all season with player’s competitiveness at incredible levels. The Australia teams were incredible so any opportunity from any domestic players had to produce all time performances to get close.

Was there a time were you thought you were ready to play Test or One day cricket for Australia? You must have been close after scoring 1,065 runs and 4 centuries in 2004/05.

I thought after that season and a solid start to the next I was close to the ODI side but it was the time Australia won everything. It looked harder to get out of the Australian team than get in. If I was around a few years back those numbers in Shield cricket would have seen me vice captain of the Australian team! It’s just timing and my game was not quite right for international cricket in my era.

You dominated Grade Cricket for many years. How did that help with taking the step up to first-class cricket?

It gave me the belief and the rhythm to play good cricket for NSW. I remember having a massive week when I scored the 261 not out for NSW. I played grade on the Saturday and scored 97 before a one day match where I got 53 off 30 balls, next day got the 261 and then played grade the following Saturday and got 100 off 70 balls. Grade kept routines and confidence.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Winning 10 different titles for NSW and the Sixers. Playing with and against all the greats in our country whilst Australia cricket was at its strongest.

Who’s been the biggest influence in your cricket career?

Three people have all played significant roles in my development as a cricketer and a person.

Warren Smith – taught me a batting technique and game strategy to succeed at first-class level.

Rocky Harris – mentored me in and around the game of cricket. He assisted in helping me find my feet moving from Albury to Sydney and offered support as a father figure.

Neil Maxwell – mentored me whilst I was playing first class cricket and into a corporate working career. I still connect with Neil on a regular basis about all things cricket.

Who was the funniest cricketing team mate?

There were several but Doug Bollinger takes the cake. The stories and laughter we had over a long period of time often relaxed me whilst we played together.

Who is your favorite all time cricketer?

Those who know me will know this is a difficult one to answer (I’m a cricket tragic!).

Mark Waugh takes the prize for his all round skill, ease at which he did it and ability to play a role in every game he played.

What was the best win you were involved in?

The Sheffield Shield final win at the Gabba in 2006. Last wicket stand of 22 to win against the Bulls. That man MacGill and Bracken at the crease to get us home. What a season.

Did you have a saying or quote that you live by and how has it helped you?

“Some say why I say why not” - I’m up for giving anything a go that is not necessarily by the textbook. I probably needed to practice a little differently in my career rather than sticking to the same routines as the game evolved.

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?

Matt Nicholson – he had a saying “night times for sleeping” and I can’t sleep on planes. Also he loves a chat as do I! Bollinger on the other side to keep us entertained!

Did you have any cricketing superstitions?

I had plenty when I played but the major one was left foot first on the ground. I still do it when I’m near a ground now!

Which ground in Sydney club cricket did you enjoy playing at the most?

Drummoyne is a great little ground.

What was the best innings you saw played in first grade cricket?

Brad Haddin struck 190 and was dismissed just after lunch at Alan Border Oval against Mosman one season. His ability to take on a strong bowling attack made it a pleasure to be standing at the other end.

Who were the top 3 players in Grade cricket you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit

Grant Lambert - consistency was special. He simply dominated the game for years.

Greg Mail – his consistency and ability to get involved stood tall.

Ken Hall – inspirational character who loved the game and his club so much it was infectious.

Who were the 3 bowlers in Grade Cricket who challenged you the most?

Tim Lang – his unique action and ability to hit the seam always presented a challenge.

Dan Horsley – lovely bloke but a competitor who bowled a heavy ball.

Don Nash – didn’t play heaps of grade against him but he was always a handful with the greatest wrist position I have ever seen.

Who was the best spinner you played against?

I enjoyed the spinners but Adrian Tucker wasn’t a bad leggie in club cricket.

Who was the quickest bowler you came up against?

Shaun Tait – spent years up against Taity. He had a slingy action who swung it away when the ball was new and then reversed it when it was old. You had to watch the umpire’s heads for release and then react!

What’s the best advice you ever received?

To get anywhere in life you need good people skills. Cricket took me to a lot of places and I still work in it daily. Without good people skills I would still be in Albury trying to find a career!

Are you still involved in Cricket and if so, in what capacity?

I am current the Head coach of the NSW Breakers female cricket team. I have been involved with the Beakers for 3 seasons and this year was my first as Head Coach.

What advice would you offer a young 18 year old who has the ambition of playing test cricket?

Surround yourself with good people and good advice. Move forward with the game and get the basics set in cement. Be yourself and play the style of cricket you want to play.

What are your hobbies?

I am addicted to fishing. I have a boat and more fishing rods than I owned cricket bats. I was once told by Trevor Bayliss to get a hobby and stop thinking about the game so I got into fishing and its cost me a lot of money, a lot of time and some seriously amazing adventures.

What is your occupation?

Head Coach of NSW Breakers at CNSW

CNSW, I moved to Sydney to play cricket for the NSW Blues, CNSW has been my life for 25 years. I have worked in almost every department including Marketing, Community and High Performance. I was the first ever CNSW Indoor centre manager at the SCG. Watched it get built and now have seen it torn down. I only live in Sydney because of CNSW.

Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general?

Once I retired as a player in 2012 I took a role in a marketing company working with sporting brands. At the boardroom table many agencies would meet to work with our client Sanitarium and it amazed me how people would only do what there role was and never go over and above. In cricket or sport in general we always would go over and above if our team needed or our team mate needed more attention. It was for the betterment of the team and the result, this doesn’t seem to happen in the corporate world.