James Psarakis plays for Western Suburbs in the NSW Premier Cricket Competition and hails from Tamworth, the country music capital of Australia.
Wests Ashfield Leagues Club is a proud sponsor of Western Suburbs Cricket Club
Welcome James,
What year were you born and where?
1996 at the Tamworth Base Hospital in Northern New South Wales
Where did you go the high school?
Tamworth High School.
Do you remember your first ever game of cricket?
Not exactly my first game but my first memories of cricket was chasing balls at training for South Tamworth Cricket Club, when I was around 5 or 6. They got me a ball on a string the end of that season so I didn’t have to chase my own balls.
Where did you play your junior cricket?
Tamworth South was my junior club.
Which clubs have you played for?
Tamworth South (Junior), South Tamworth Cricket Club, Barnt Green Cricket Club (U.K) and Randwick Petersham and Western Suburbs District Cricket Club in Sydney.
They are all my major clubs I’ve played for.
How old were you when you came to Sydney and what made you choose Randwick?
I moved to Sydney when I was 18. The fact that they were quite a successful, so they had that winning culture. I was always going to start in 2nd grade which was a positive thing for me as I wanted to get the feel for Sydney Cricket. Coogee Oval wasn’t a bad home ground to have either.
What age did you make your first grade debut?
I made my First Grade debut for Randwick Petersham when I was 19.
Why the move to Western Suburbs?
The opportunity was the big draw card for my move. At the time I was batting at 6 or 7 for Randwick and I was offered the opportunity to bat in the top 4 at Wests. I knew Wests had a great history and the administration was one of the best in the competition, so I knew the club was in good hands.
What is your highest score in first grade?
118 against Blacktown at Joe McAleer Oval.
What is your highest score in any grade?
1st Grade back in Tamworth, I scored 150 something (can’t recall exactly off the top of my head), at Scully Park in Tamworth against Bective Cricket Club.
James in his playing days as a youngster back in Tamworth
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Winning my first premiership for South Tamworth Cricket Club when I was 15, playing with some great mates and winning made it even better.
Who’s been the biggest influence in your cricket career?
I’ve had a few, my parents are the obvious ones. My Dad doesn’t drive so Mum had the task of all the road trips to various locations.
Terry Browne was a good influence on my batting and he has a great knowledge of the game.
Robert Chandler was another one, he always kept me grounded and was always good for telling me that I wasn’t as good as I thought. Everyone needs that.
Who was the funniest cricketing teammate?
Either Jaymes Thomas or Jayden Park. Played with both of them for Central North NSW, very funny people.
Who is your favourite all time cricketer?
Ricky Ponting. Loved the way he went about everything, his competitiveness and leadership.
What was the best win you were involved in?
Tough one, either the Tamworth Premiership I mentioned above or the outright win we had last year Wests v Campbelltown.
Do you have any cricketing superstitions?
No superstitions, try and avoid them I do.
Which ground in Sydney club cricket did you enjoy playing at the most?
Coogee Oval is always great, closely followed by Pratten Park and Drummoyne Oval.
Who are the three fastest bowlers in NSW Premier Cricket at the moment, discounting the Test bowlers?
Muhammad Irfan Jr, Micky Edwards and Tom Pinson would be my 3. Henry Thornton and Liam Hatcher are not too far behind.
Who are the top 2 spinners in NSW premier Cricket?
I might be being a bit biased but I think Jono Cook and Adrian Isherwood are both very good spinners and probably my top 2. Ben Manenti and Riley Arye are also very good.
Who are the 3 players in NSW premier Cricket you admire most and if you could add a couple of words as to why?
Adam Semple comes to mind first, he was my first 1st grade captain at Randwick Petersham. One of the nicest guys you will meet but also one of the most competitive on the field. Led by example in the way he handled himself and always put in 100% in all situations.
Josh Clarke, my current captain. Is always consistent in everything he does. Whether it’s training or in game, very calm in the way he approaches everything and just knows his game. Very good to watch and learn off.
Alex Kemp now retired but was my second 1st grade captain at Randwick Petersham. Batting wise was excellent to watch, his pure strength and timing was admirable. Was always willing to help anyone out with either batting or just the mental side of cricket.
If you had the opportunity to change two things to improve NSW Premier Cricket what would they be?
I would include more T20 games for club cricket, whether they be some midweek night T20s or a block of them. I feel more T20s will be exciting.
I would also make the One Day Limited Overs & the Belvidere Cup finals the same format. (E.G top 8 for finals)
What’s the best advice you ever received?
Be a sponge, absorb all advice given to you by anyone.
What advice would you offer a young 16-year-old James Psarakis who has the ambition of playing Test cricket?
Ask questions, pick peoples brains and find out as much information around batting/techniques and mental toughness as possible. Train hard and don’t leave any stone unturned.
What are your hobbies?
I love all types of sport, especially attending and watching live games. I enjoy listening to Podcasts, sport ones mainly.
What is your occupation?
I am in the Sports Administration industry. Currently, the State Teams Manager for Hockey NSW.
Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general?
Teamwork is a major factor of work and life in general. Knowing how to work with certain people and how to get the most out of people is a skill learnt through cricket and transfers across to work and life.
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