Mathew Thompson is a proud supporter of the Penrith Cricket Club. He grew up with a love of sport especially cricket and played Green Shield and Grade cricket for the Panthers.
He’s now living what many would call the dream. If you’re not playing at the highest what a thrill it must be to commentate at the highest level.
Mathew is now part of the Channel Nine NRL commentary team.
Welcome Mathew
Where did you go the high school?
I’m born and bred in the west of Sydney. Junior high school at Emmaus Catholic College, senior years at St Marys Senior - which was a terrific school.
Do you remember your first ever game of cricket?
I vaguely remember bits of my first season. I think I was 7 and I was forced to wear an old school towelling white hat. I went terrible, but things improved from the next season. I didn’t get out the whole year! That sure changed in time though.
Where did you play your junior cricket?
Penrith RSL. I loved playing junior cricket. I firmly believe many of the rule changes at junior level (shorter pitches, 7 fielders, retiring after 35 balls in under 12s) are the root cause of a skills deficiency in the higher levels of the game. It’s great for participation, but doesn’t help produce quality cricketers. There’s a gigantic gulf between the standard of junior cricket 15 years ago and now.
Which clubs have you played for?
I played my grade cricket for Penrith. I had one season at Blacktown. But Penrith is my club. I was over the moon when they ended a long drought by winning first grade last season. It’s a travesty their captain, Ryan Smith, hasn’t played for NSW. When I first started, our first grade team would have been competitive in first class cricket. Trevor Bayliss captained a team featuring Arnberger, Maraziotis, Bower, Turner, Thomas, Karpinnen, Nikitaris. We’ve had some extraordinary cricketers over the journey. It’s a proud club that punches well above its weight and develops talent better than most.
What is it that you love about the game of cricket?
The tactical and technical elements have always fascinated me. It’s a sport the throws up great theatre. And, of course, the friends you make within the game.
Were you a Batsman,Bowler, Allrounder or Wicket Keeper?
I guess you’d call me a batsman!
What is your favourite format of the game?
Test cricket is king. It’s the ultimate test of mental capacity and technical proficiency. I appreciate the skill of T20 but the BBL competition itself doesn’t mean much. You can’t say that about an Ashes series or Indian tour.
Can you remember the first Test match you went to and what made the game so special in your memory?
It probably wasn’t the first game I went to but it’s a standout match from my formative years. It wasn't a Test match but the Sheffield Shield final of 1992/93. NSW hosted QLD. Glenn McGrath bowled like the wind. Michael Slater murdered a series drives that travelled like bullets. I remember him charging the quicks. Adam Gilchrist batted 3 for NSW. My great mate Steve Small opened for the Blues. QLD had Hayden, Law, Kasprowicz, Rackemann. It was heaven for a youngster.
What was your highest score?
Can I be cheeky and it’s going back a while and I’ve set the challenge to my kids - 205 not out.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket??
So many but one came not as a player...
I coached the Penrith Green Shield team to a premiership in the late 90s. We had a super side that produced a lot of first grade players. Beat a St George team featuring Henriques and an Easts team with Warner, so we did ok.
I also won one a Green Shield competition as a player. I think we’ve only won two so it’s nice to be involved in both.
Mathew with his son Jacob at Howell Oval, Penrith
Who is your favourite all time cricketer?
Two Aussie stick out above the rest I’ve seen - Warne and Gilchrist. Brian Lara is the best batsman I’ve seen. I thought Shane Bond was remarkable fast bowler. Only played 18 tests. Averaged 22, struck at 38. If his body held up, he’d be among the best quicks the game has seen.
If you’re in the middle seat of the middle row of Qantas QF1flight to London which cricketing mates would you choose to on your left and right?
I’d never be foolish enough to take any of my cricket mates on a long haul flight! We’d never get off the plane.
Which ground in Sydney did you enjoy playing at the most?
Howell Oval. Special place. I think I averaged over 100 at Chatswood Oval. And Raby at Campbelltown was always good to bat on too.
You’re now a sports broadcaster with Channel Nine and commentating on the NRL, for your youngsters with a dream how did you get into commentating?
I initially just wanted to work in radio. My old mates say I used to commentate while we played various sports against each other. I don’t remember that!
I did news for the first part of my career in radio and TV but the ambition was to commentate. Whenever a chance came up I grabbed it. Turns out something thought I was ok, so here I am! It’s a great privilege and a thrill beyond words.
What do you love most about commentating?
Working with the best of the best. Phil Gould, Andrew Johns, Paul Vautin, Peter Sterling, Brad Fittler, Darren Lockyer and now Jonathan Thurston and Billy Slater. These guys are extraordinary.
And of course being able to showcase the brilliance of the players. Commentating is about championing what they do. I don’t know how they do it.
What’s been your most favourite game to commentate on?
I’ve been lucky to call many famous games. I called a number of the Cowboys v Broncos games during their famous run of remarkable matches. Calling the Raiders get into the GF in front of a rampaging home crowd last year was special.
What would you consider the ultimate sporting event or your dream to commentate on?
I do it every week in the NRL for 9. An Olympic 100m final is always something a broadcaster aspires too. I’ve always secretly wanted to call the weightlifting as well.
Would you like to commentate the cricket?
Have done many times - It’s such a wonderful experience.
What’s the best advice you ever received?
Less is more.
What are your hobbies?
Golf. Kids sport takes up a lot of time now. My youngest son is a cricket lover as goes ok. I’ve got an interest in racing. And spending time with my wife - she’s a wonderful friend.
Courtesy of Channel Nine - Mathew is calling the 2019 preliminary Final between Canberra and South Sydney
Join the cricket network to promote your business and expertise. Make it easy for people to search and find the people and services they need through people they know and trust.
Join the network
