The latest instalment in our first grade captain’s series is a cricketing journeyman who was earmarked for big things from a young age. Alex Kemp announced himself on the club scene in his Taverners year with a huge season including a double ton. From there he steadily rose through the grades with buckets of runs at both club and representative level. These days he resides in Sydney with his young family and leaves the action in the middle to his brother, our current club curator, Josh.
Redlands Sporting Club is a proud sponsors of Redlands Tigers Cricket Club
What’s your nickname in cricketing circles?
Kempy, Trout. (Sounds like there’s a story there..?)
The old S&C (strength & conditioning coach) with the Bulls used to call me that. It was after a swimming session. Not sure if it’s a compliment or not. Honestly not much else behind the story... He persisted with it and it kind of caught on with the rest of the group.
What was your junior club?
I played for Muddies Cricket Club as a kid. I spent lots of hours at the nets with Dad throwing balls and Mum scoring the games. I’m very lucky to have had parents that invested so much time supporting me in something I loved.
Tell me about your first game or training session in grade cricket.
My first game was in 5th Grade against SBDCC Souths Cricket Club when I was 14. I get out of the car with mum and am immediately greeted by our 5th Grade Captain, Matthew Williamson. He told her that he’d look after me that afternoon. I don’t remember much about the game but let’s just say it was an afternoon I’ll never forget.
How did your first game in first grade go?
First game wasn’t memorable (nicked one to the keeper I think – standard), but the second one was. It was against Sandgate at Peter Burge Oval. We bowled first, knocked them over for about 240 and had to bat for 40 minutes. I opened the batting and slashed at a wide one with 15 minutes before stumps, nick to 2nd slip – horrible shot.
Our Captain Ryan Leloux was batting at number 3 and I could tell he was fuming with me as I walked past him on my way back to the sheds (1. Because of the shot, and 2. Because he had to go out and bat).
He went out and played an even worse shot than I did, came off the field and gave me an absolute hosing. Being young and naive I said, “Never played a bad shot have you?”
Fair to say that was a bad move – I got sprayed for another 20 minutes and was told that would be the last game of first grade I’d play for the rest of the season. He wasn’t joking, I played the rest of the year in 2nd Grade.
Tell me about some of the clubs and rep teams you’ve played with.
I played for BEARS Junior Cricket and went through the various QLD underage teams as a kid (U15-U19’s). I played all my grade cricket in Brisbane for Redlands before moving to Sydney to play with Randwick Petersham Cricket Club. I was also lucky enough to be a part of the Bulls squad for 5 years.
Alex batting for Redlands
How different is the Sydney grade cricket scene to Brisbane?
Personally I didn't think it was that different in terms of standard. The fact that there is an extra 8 teams down here compared to Brisbane means the talent pool is more spread out.
Does it have an effect on the club or team having huge names like Dave Warner and Mike Whitney around?
The year of Dave’s ban was great for the club. To be able to watch one of the best bats in the world go about his business was special. He really was outstanding, and couldn't have done a better job for the club. He was very giving of his time on match days as well to kids that would come to watch him play. He still messages the group chat everyday with his shit race tips.
Whit is one of the nicest blokes on the planet and unreal to have around the club as well.
One of the most passionate club men you will come across. So humble and giving of his time as well. I love the bloke.
Did you play in the games when all the media were there watching Warner and Steve Smith?
I played the game vs Shane Watson and Smith at Coogee - had about 2,000 people packed into the ground. Club made $12K in beer and food that day (Dave donated all the beer for the day as well).
Tell me about some of the most memorable characters you’ve come across.
We’ve had some interesting characters at Redlands over the years. Matt Turich would have to be the loosest off-field, Ryan LeLoux loosest on-field, Brett Ipson the most annoying and Franky Neser the funniest. Paul Hutchison (AKA Barry “Cougar” Dawson) was also great to be around, I would have been 16 when I played with Hutch and learnt so much about the game playing with him – a great competitor and even better man!
What’s your favourite ground to play at?
I’m biased, but Peter Burge Oval is the greatest club ground in Australia. Only downside about playing there was blowing $30 on toasties when you got out early. Needless to say, I ate a lot of toasties.
Away from Tigerland I’d say Sunshine Coast’s ground. Generally, a good wicket, fast outfield and some great memories off the field with the boys.
Do you have a ground or club you don’t like playing at but you have done well at?
Souths – used to be a horrible place to field. Bumpy surface, not much grass, hot, but the wicket was generally good to bat on and the people were lovely.
Tell me about the best game of cricket you were ever a part of.
Shield final vs Cricket Tasmania (2011/12) was a great game. For me though the best moment wasn’t the game itself but post-match. To have dad come into the dressing room at the end of the game and be able to share that moment with him was special and something I will treasure forever.
Alex Kemp with Alistair McDermott
Best win you were involved in?
I wasn’t actually playing in the game (defeats the purpose of the question I know), but the boys winning the first-grade flag in 2015/16 was a great moment. All I ever wanted to achieve in my playing career was winning a flag with Redlands. While that never happened for me personally, to see my best mates experience that after years of blood, sweat and tears was special.
You’ve played at almost every level, but who do you consider is the biggest name cricketer you’ve played with or against?
As a kid it was Phil Hughes – he was a superstar and we all knew he was destined to play for Australia even as a 15 year old.
We played against Ricky Ponting in his last season of cricket for Tasmania which was surreal – I’ve never been more nervous of dropping a catch as I was when he walked out to bat.
Tell me about some of the very best you’ve come across in the game.
Fastest bowler: James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc – I still have nightmares.
Best gloveman: Chris Hartley, Jimmy Peirson not far behind.
Best bat: Usman Khawaja! Played the best innings I’ve ever seen in Tassie on a raging green seamer, against a good attack. He got 130 odd and the next highest score for the game was about 30. Was like he was playing on a different wicket to the rest of us.
Scariest bowler to face in the nets: I remember Nathan Collins bowling in-swinging bumpers to me off 16 yards when I was 15/16 with a brand new white ball. Joshua Guy another serial offender.
Opposition player that you have most respect for?
Andrew Robinson from Gold Coast is someone I have an incredible amount of respect for. A one club man, 11,000+ first grade runs, worked his ass off to earn a crack at first-class cricket, played to win but the thing I respect the most is he’s a great bloke off the field and a good family man.
In the Sydney competition, Daniel Smith (Sydney CC) & Anthony Clark (Fairfield-Liverpool).
Their knowledge of the game and the belief they instill in their teams that they can win a game of cricket from any position is unbelievable. Adam Crosthwaite (Manly / North Sydney) as well – what a competitor.
Alex batting for Randwick
Do you have any superstitions or habits when it comes to cricket?
Left pad, right pad, thigh pad, box, left glove, right glove, helmet, bat.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The sun will come up tomorrow!
Do you have any lessons you’ve learned in your cricket life that you’ve taken into life in general?
Good things happen to good people.
What makes a good captain?
So many elements I reckon, relationships are crucial though. Understanding that everyone is different and getting to know them helps identify what they are motivated by as it allows you to build trust and have honest conversations.
What’s your advice for a young Tiger trying to get up the grades?
Team first at all times, train hard, enjoy your teammates’ success and remember it’s just a game.
Finally, what do you do now/outside of cricket?
I currently work for Cricket NSW as a Coach and Talent Specialist. Essentially, I am responsible for the development of coaches and up and coming players through the NSW pathway. Outside of that I love spending time with my beautiful wife Tamara and little princess Izzy.
You’re still one of my favourite redheads Kempy, loved you in the Harry Potter movies. Thanks for your time.
Dom Cassell
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