Gus Worland is a self-confessed cricket tragic.
Along with his great mate Hugh Jackman, Gus co-created and starred in the Fox Cricket series ‘An Aussie Goes’ where he did series An Aussie Goes Barmy in England following the Australian cricket team, and then An Aussies Goes Bolly in India and An Aussie Goes Calypso in the West Indies.
He currently hosts the Triple M Deadset Legends on Sydney Radio and is the founder of Gotch4Life Mental Health Foundation
Let's find out more about Gus passion and love of the game
Knox Cricket team - Gus Worland is front row 3rd in from the right
What year you were born?
1968
What State do you live in?
NSW
When did you first start developing a love for cricket?
I always liked cricket as a kid but I fell in love with when I went to school and got the chance to play in a team and have team mates. I’d always gone to the nets and played in the backyard but being able to play in a team was just awesome.
I remember the trials, everyone got a bit of a bat, bowl and field and when I went to the notice board and saw my name in the Under 11A it was a whole new experience.
We had so much fun and everyone in the 11A’s became great mates. In fact 8 out of the 11 in the team came to my wedding in London when I was 26. They travelled the world just to be there and it’s the beauty of cricket and why I love it – the mateship.
Gus Worland - the first commentator to call cricket from a swimming pool
What was your highest score?
I scored 211 for Scothern Cricket club in the Lincolnshire Shire Premier League in England in 2005.
What were your best bowling figures?
I took 3 for 4 for Scothern CC including a hat trick in 2005
Which club and or competition do you support?
I support Manly Warringah as I’m a local in the area. I used to coach my son and the juniors so I have a soft spot for Manly. To be honest I love all local cricket and can be found at times pulling over by the side of the road anywhere just to watch 5 overs of park cricket.
I just love the game and still subscribe to the Cricket Alamanac to keep up to date with what’s happening around the world and I have a couple of friends still playing County Cricket so it is good to support them as well.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket so far?
That’s a hard question as there’s been so many great experiences. If I had to pick one it’d be going into the Australian dressing rooms at Lords in the First test in 2005.
It was after a day’s play and Australia only need 4 wickets to win the next day and my great mate Hugh Jackman, we’ve been best mates since primary school, went into the rooms for a couple of hours. It was magic.
Sitting on Lords balcony taking with the Australian captain Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne bringing out a couple of beers, Brett Lee in the ice bath and Hugh was calling the players’ wives and waking them up in Australia. It was very funny.
We both left with a signed bat by Matt Hayden – a memorable couple of hours... and at Lords too.
I will say however I still get just as much a kick out of spending time with my old team mates just catching up and taking about the runs we scored, the wickets taken and the funny moments we experienced out of the field all those years ago.
Great mates Gus Worland and Hugh Jackman
Who’s your favourite all-time cricketer?
Allan Border – AB came to Knox to do a little coaching with the 1XI at the Prep school and we had the chance to bowl to him. He smashed us all over the place. From that moment on he was my favourite.
To know be able to spend some time in the commentary box with him, to talk cricket and ask questions is pretty special.
He was also part of that golden era when I was growing up, Lillee, Marsh and the Chappell’s, they were like gladiators, old school cricketers which I love.
Allan Border
Who has been your favourite Australian captain?
Allan Border of course but I also liked Steve Waugh – the old school type of players, full of guts and determination really appealed to me
Who’s been the batsman you’ve enjoyed watching the most?
I’ll pick two – Greg Chappell for his elegance and Viv Richards brutality
Viv Richards
Who in your opinion has been the best fast bowler?
Malcolm Marshall his control and brutality as well. I love the story where he told David Boon that he was going to come around the wicket and hurt him and then he’d get him out
Who in your opinion has been the best spinner?
Shane Warne
Who in your opinion has been the best wicket keeper?
Adam Gilchrist – he may not have been as technically good as Ian Healy or Allan Knott but he changed the game from a wicket keeper averaging 25 or so to be expected to average 40 plus as they do today – he brilliantly changed the game and was so selfless in the way he played.
Who in your opinion has been the best umpire?
Dickie Bird
What’s the most picturesque ground you’ve had the opportunity to watch or play a game of cricket?
Wormsley Cricket Ground in Oxfordshire in England. Lords is pretty special too
Wormsley Cricket Ground in Oxfordshire
If there was one match up, a bowler and batsman going head to head at their peak, who would you choose?
Shane Warne v Don Bradman
What’s your preferred format of the game, Test Cricket, One day games, T20?
Test cricket
What do Cricket Officials need to do over the next 10 or so years to ensure people get to enjoy the game as much as you do?
T20 is here to stay I understand that. It’s brought a whole new dimension to the game in terms of participation and interest, boys and girls but I don’t want them mucking around with Test cricket. I don’t want Test cricket to be compromised and it must be preserved the way it is
Who are the 3 cricketers from any era you’d like to invite to a BBQ?
Viv Richards, Ian Botham and Allan Border
Gotcha4Life
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
