Over the past 30 years as a travel agent I have sent dozens of young cricketers to the UK for the Northern Summer and always impress upon them to be as personable as possible and to engage with as many people they can as you never know what opportunities will arise or from where they may come. In his many seasons playing in England Michael Jeh certainly lived his life by that creed. Playing on some of the game’s most iconic grounds and meeting amazing people has been just some of the rewards of Michael’s force of personality as much as his cricket skills.
Escaping war-torn Sri Lanka with his family as a teenager in the 1980s, Michael has followed his parents’ example in forging his own path. Playing cricket around the world, studying at Oxford, creating a successful life-skills course for young elite athletes around Australia and becoming a Wildlife Ranger in Africa, he’s an interesting dinner companion although the range of venues is limited to those that accept a man in his fifties wearing sandals.
The Fox is one of those people who constantly surprise you - I recall running into him in the early 90’s after not having seen each other for some time and upon asking what he had been up to he replied “Not much Tucky – a bit of modelling.” His is an interesting story.
What year you were born?
1968
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I was 15 years old in a school game State High vs BBC. Nothing remarkable about my performance (which was an accurate description of the rest of my career!!)
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Australia: School cricket, Valley, Wests & Wynnum (1 season), winter Warehouse teams
UK: various league clubs in the UK as Overseas Professional, Oxford University, Combined Universities, MCC, The Arabs, I Zingari, John Paul Getty’s XI, Duchess of Norfolk’s XI
Also captained a Qld Universities’ Cricket Team to India & Sri Lanka. Represented MCC in Hong Kong, Fiji and various European countries. Played social cricket in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
2nd Grade for Valley when I was 17
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
18 years old for Valley against Wests. Got 1 wicket (Caught and bowled Toshack). Did not bat.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
All-rounder (consistently mediocre at most things!). I became more of a batting all-rounder as I got older. Started bowling off-spin towards the middle of my career in addition to medium-pace. Started bowling left arm orthodox near the end of my career. I think I’m the only player in Valleys history to take grade wickets with both right & left hand.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
205*Luctonians CC (UK)
130 vs Souths (Brisbane)
What were your best bowling figures in senior grade cricket?
8 for maybe 60 odd for Valleys vs Norths. I bowled 42 overs unchanged because of injuries to two older blokes and we had three younger players with bowling restrictions. It was January 22nd – I remember that because I got home and collapsed in as heap, only to be woken up by my wife who went into labour with our second child. It is only fitting that she plays cricket now to make up for her lack of consideration!
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Shoaib Akhtar (MCC vs Pakistan 1997). Sheer, frightening pace (I didn’t wear a helmet because Geoff Foley bet me to not wear a helmet so it felt scarier). This was raw pace at a level that was truly scary.
Joey Dawes (in the nets at night with a white ball – need I say more?)
Malcolm Marshall (Combined Universities vs Hampshire 1993). Moved it both ways at pace and he wasn’t even pushing himself against a player of my mediocrity. I remember hearing the ball thudding into the keeper’s gloves before I was through my shot.
Shoaib Akhtar
Who have been the best three spinners you have played against?
Mushtaq Ahmed (Combined Universities vs Pakistan 1992). Simply could not pick him so I just swept every third ball.
Bishen Bedi (Hudson’s Hollywood XI vs Indian Press XI 1990). He was long retired but his flight was beguiling. Simply could not get to the pitch of the ball. He had it on a string.
Anil Kumble (John Paul Getty’s XI vs MCC 1998). He was just so quick through the air and had ‘fizz’ which was quite unlike anything else I have faced.
Who has been the best 3 batsmen you’ve played against?
Martin Love. Never even had a plan for how to get him out. He just looked impregnable.
Viv Richards (Oxford University vs Glamorgan, 1993). He was way past his prime at this stage but his presence at the crease was magnetic. I had figures of 0/50 when he arrived at the crease. An hour later, it was 0/150. And he bought me Malibu and Cokes all night at the student bar in Oxford because it was my birthday. Unforgettable night.
Geoff Foley. Just could not contain him. There was nowhere to bowl to stop him from scoring in different zones, brilliant runner between wickets. He went up and down through the gears effortlessly.
Michael bowling to Viv Richards
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Lots of Peter’s…Anderson, Drinnen & Irving (Valleys)
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Many memorable moments. Too many to mention. Here’s one…I patted back a full toss and (Easts player, name withheld) sledged me. I reminded him that he missed a full toss the previous week and lost his middle stump. Quick as a flash he said “yeah but it was a wet deck”.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
My girlfriend had just arrived in England to watch me play against Worcestershire. She knew nothing about cricket. I got a third ball duck and as I walked past the Members’, feeling morose and embarrassed, she cheerfully said out loud “well done darling. Do you always bat for that long?” It brought the usually staid old members to roaring laughter.
Who was your childhood hero?
Allan Border
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Hashim Amla
David Pocock
AB De Villiers
(I have met all three and they did not disappoint)
Hashim Amla
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Michael Holding
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Brisbane: Gabba (despite being hit for the biggest ever six by Glenn Trimble in an A Grade Final in 1988/89
UK: Lord’s
India: Brabourne Stadium
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
The friends I made in England who came from all over the world
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Hitting Shoaib Akhtar for six (complete fluke)
Editors note: This question could also have been: What is the dumbest thing you have ever done on a cricket field?
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Third grade final. Came from 100 behind on first innings vs Norths to win on last day. My youngest son was born that day – there’s a strange coincidence with my kids being born and playing Norths!
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Andy Flower
Zander De Bruyn – South African (I named my son after him)
Geoff Foley
Geoff Foley
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Cricketing advice? Whenever you’re batting and feel rushed or pressured, give yourself five minutes and see if anything has changed. Invariably, something happens to release the pressure. As a League Pro in England, this was such good advice in learning to bat deep.
What is your current occupation?
Wildlife ranger in Africa, Domestic Violence Educator
You have an enormous passion for Africa, what are some of your most memorable experiences?
As a trails guide (walking Safaris), being on foot around lions, elephants, rhino etc is something that cannot be adequately described in words. It is utterly humbling to get so close to wild animals and to always try to stay one step ahead in terms of tracking spoor, reading wind direction, scanning for any changes in behaviour that may spell danger. I had a fatal incident with an elephant in Botswana in 2018 that was both scary but exhilarating at the same time. That split-second adrenalin rush was indescribable. If I had my time again, I would happily trade all my cricket memories for a full-time career in the African bushveld, walking alongside wild animals (as opposed to playing alongside a few!).
Michael as a Wildlife Ranger leading a walking safari in Africa
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Only as coach of my three children. None of them have ever been to a coaching clinic in their lives so I can’t really blame anyone but myself for how they turn out. I am a cricket writer for various global newspapers and websites so that keeps me up to date with contemporary cricket issues from around the world.
About Dean Tuckwell
Former premiership first grade player with Western Suburbs in Queensland Premier Cricket Dean opened The Adventure Traveller in 2000.
In this crazy year it is important to support small business. With 30 years’ experience in the travel industry Dean has preferred arrangements with many suppliers, access to online deals not available to the public and a wealth of knowledge to ensure you get the most out of your trip so even if you only require a flight or accommodation, give him a call on 1800 181 020 or visit The Adventure Traveller
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