Darren Berry - the wicket keepers keeper

Darren Berry was an outstanding wicket keeper who played 153 first class cricket games and took 603 dismissals, 552 catches and 51 stumping’s.

Darren scored 4,273 runs at an average of 21.58 with his highest score 166 not out. He scored 4 first class hundreds and 11 x 50s.

On retirement, Chuck as he is affectionately knows has become a very successful coach and mentor.

As a fellow wicket keeper my regard for Chuck as a keeper is quite simple, he was the Wicket Keepers, Keeper. He’s also a great mate.

Welcome Daren,

How did you get into cricket?

My love for the game was born at an early age at the end of our street (Catalpa St) in humble beginnings in Doveton. The vacant block at the end of our street known as the paddock became our MCG. Every night after school in the late 70’s a group of about 10 kids from the neighbourhood but sometimes as many as 15 would meet and play our test matches in the paddock till dark. I used to stand up to the stumps with taped up tennis balls instead of using the back fence as the compulsory slips cordon. I admired Rod Marsh and my love for wicket keeping was born.

What are your memories of your junior cricket days?

Junior cricket started when an older boy in the paddock group took my down to his local club Buckley Ridges CC in the Dandenong District competition.

Did you have any mentors or coaches who were assisted your cricket and if yes how did they help you?

My elderly parents retired and we moved when I was in grade 5 at school to Wonthaggi (country Victoria)

This is where I had many fantastic senior role models who nurtured my talents and taught me right from wrong. Too many names to list but my first real cricket coach was Colin Bolding who had a big impact on my game early on.

When did you come to grade cricket? How did it come about?

I was just 15 when I was spotted by George Murray a highly respected figure in Victorian cricket at state trail games. He selected me for the Vic 16s to play in the Perth carnival where the late Doug Rumble former Fitzroy CC wicketkeeper was my coach. We struck up a great relationship. Sadly not long after the carnival he lost his life in a tragic snow skiing accident. His words had filtered back of my potential and George was on the phone and offered me a place straight into the first grade team. This was amazing the faith they showed in me. I played my first game as young lad with stars in my eyes. I grew up very quickly and learnt to play hard and tough cricket playing alongside the fierce competitors the Watts brothers x3 and my greatest cricket and life mentor the late great man John Scholes.

What were your cricketing ambitions?

I was very ambitious early and had aspirations to play at the highest level. I was highly driven and the competitive nature was drilled into me in my early days at Fitzroy Doncaster CC. Still living in Wonthaggi 2 hours from the city my parents would drive thousands of kilometres week after week to give me every chance to chase my dreams. I was very fortunate that my parents were elderly and invested heavily in my sporting pursuits both football and cricket in particular. I am forever indebted to my parents who I sadly lost early in my life. They gave me every chance to succeed but we’re both gone before I was 24 years of age.

Describe the circumstances the led to your Sheffield Shield selection for Victoria?

Inducted first Intake AIS cricket academy Adelaide in 1988 / 89. This was a real breakthrough moment for me.

It started in South Australia when David Hookes suggested if I stuck around after the academy year I was a big chance to play for South Australia as Peter Anderson (best keeper I saw) returned home to Queensland.

I made my first class debut with South Australia and played the 1989/90 season before returning home to my beloved Victoria after the passing of my father. Two reasons. I really wanted to support my elderly mother and I also had a desire to play for Victoria.

Long story short I took Michael Dimmatina spot in the Victoria side at start of 1990 season and we won the shield final VS NSW at the MCG. It started a 15 year journey behind the stumps for Victoria.

After being a regular selection you were dropped half way through your career, what impact did this have on you? How did you use this event?

I was dropped midway through my career when politics in Victorian cricket was bloody awful. It was an ugly period for many not just myself. Looking back it was a kick up the backside I needed as my batting was underachieving at state level. I missed half a season that I can never get back but my batting was much better when I returned the following year.

What was your attitude when you regained your position in the Victorian team?

Once I retained my spot I was even more determined that I would not lose my spot ever again. I worked very hard on both aspects of my game and eventually retired on my own accord at the end of a tumultuous season in 2003/04 after the tragic (unnecessary) death of our coach David Hookes.

What was your approach to captaincy? 

Captaining Victoria on over 50 occasions in various formats was a huge honour. I always tried to embrace my team mates and support them wholeheartedly. I would always fight for them on and off the field which may have got me in trouble on the odd occasion especially on the field.

What was your best performance with the gloves? 

11 dismissals in a game Vs SA at MCG in a game where they just nicked everything.

11 dismissals in a game Vs Pakistan where I took a couple of my best diving catches in my career.

The leg side stumping of David Boon in a Shield game always gets plenty of air play and Paul Reiffel to this day hates the statistic of having a stumping off his bowling

What was your best performance with the bat? And what do you remember about it?

My breakthrough first class hundred of 148 at the SCG against a full strength NSW line up. The games between NSW and Victoria were always fierce, they were as close as I got to a TEST match environment I guess and I cherished every one of them. I only scored 4 first class hundreds and quite remarkably they were all against the NSW blue baggers.

Who were the teammates you particularly admired?

Merv Hughes for his passion and desire when he played for Victoria. Big heart great team mate.

Shane Warne how lucky was I that my career coincided with the greatest spinner to ever play the game. A keeper’s absolute dream

Matthew Inness was just the best team man I played with and a mighty fine left arm swing bowler. Low key, unassuming, underrated but a mighty fine player.

Matthew Innes

Who were the opponents you particularly admired?

There were too many to speak about over a long journey but I feel privileged to have played in the era I did. Shield cricket was hard tough and high quality but we still had a beer after play. Some great memories to hold forever.

Ok Ok: Carl Rackeman terrorised me and so did Andy Bichel especially at the Gabba.

Greg Matthews was a great competitor

Mark Atkinson and Wade Seccombbe were two fine gloveman but very different in style. Peter Anderson was the best I saw behind the stumps.

An era of strong batsmen who rarely played for Australia

Who I admired greatly although they may not ever have known this at the time were Stuart Law, Martin Love, Jamie Cox, Dene Hills, James Brayshaw, Jimmy Maher, Darren Lehmann. Team mates Mathew Elliott and Brad Hodge were great players for Victoria.

Carl Rackemann

You are now a very successful coach? Do you get to enjoy the role?

Coaching has been something I have enjoyed all around the world after retirement and although very different to playing I get great enjoyment in helping others chase their sporting dreams. I hope I have and will continue to impact players with the experiences I have obtained after a lifetime in the game I so dearly love.

The best advice I had when I moved into coaching was a simple statement I have tried to follow in my coaching ethos and philosophy

“No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care”

What keeps you busy these days, are you involved in cricket??

These days I am Head of cricket at Rowville Secondary College sports academy in Melbournes outer east.

I still stay in touch at the elite level coaching with various T20 competitions around the world and looking forward to joining Shane Warne as his assistant this year at the London 100 tournament with the LONDON SPIRIT.

I also now Work in the media (radio) in Melbourne covering both AFL football as a game day caller and also covering the big bash and a few test matches during the summer.

What do you think looking back on your first-class career? 

From humble beginnings I am proud of the cricket career I forged over a long period of time albeit without that elusive Test match that I so passionately craved.

I’m glad I played in the era I did and look back now with fond memories. The game has shaped me in many ways and sadly it has also left many scars along the journey with the personal tragedies I have faced.

The tragic loss of Phillip Hughes when I was coach of South Australia is something I will never fully recover from. After some very dark days I have come out the other side thanks to the support of my much loved family, some close friends and professional assistance.