Sam Scuderi was a truly gifted batsman and cricket prodigy who grew up in the sports hungry North Queensland.
At the age of 13 he was playing A Grade cricket with and against men for Ingham Centrals. At 16 he was playing A Grade for Wanderers in Townsville.
Whilst still a teenager he was selected in the Queensland Country team and many eyes of Queensland cricket were shining brightly at Sam’s run scoring capabilities and talent.
The Scuderi family ran a sugar farm in North Queensland and sadly Sam’s father passed away when he was 16. Sam was to run the sugar farm to help provide for his mother and brother Joe.
"I would have loved to have gone to Brisbane earlier, but it couldn't be done," Sam said.
He continued to pile on the runs in North Queensland and for Queensland Country at National Championships and it wasn’t long before Sam was selected for the Australian Country team.
It might not have been the Baggy Green but it filled a void as Sam got to represent the country’s regional and rural community against international teams and superstars.
Sam believes his 187 not out for Queensland Country against south Australia Country was his best ever innings.
He took on the might of the West Indies in the 80s in Caloundra and played against England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and India.
Sam did move to Brisbane at the age of 28 and played one season for Valley District Cricket Club. He was selected in the Queensland State Squad but was unable to break into the team.
He returned home for family and business reasons and pulled up stumps after the 1991 Australian Country Championships in Townsville.
Let’s find out more about Sam’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1959
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Not really but it was some primary schools game.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
My journey started after I was chosen in the North Queensland Primary Schools team in grade 6 and 7. Played A grade in Ingham for Centrals when I was 13. Moved to a Colts team in Ingham for about 4 yrs then moved to a new club called United where I played out my career.
Started A grade in Townsville at 16 and played for Wanderers for my career. Played in Wanderers first premiership winning team.
I played one season for Valley in the Brisbane Grade competition and we made the grand final but were dusted by Souths.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
A grade Ingham at 13 years of age and made 15. Was a good 15 though…
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Originally I made a few representative teams as a leg spinner that could bat a bit. I’d probably say I became a better batter than a bowler. I prided myself on being a good field with a good pair of hands. However I do recall my first game with Valley dropping an absolute sitter at mid-off. The boys must of thought, oh here we go “where in the field are we going to hide this cowboy.”
What were your strengths as a player?
This question would probably be best answered by my fellow players. I guess because of my stature, I needed to time the ball pretty well to reach the boundary. I could never be a Chris Lynn.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
Wanderers verses University one afternoon in Townsville where I managed to hit a couple in the middle, not sure if it was 240 or 260.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I did manage a hat trick one club game in Ingham but don’t recall any figures.
You dominated cricket in North Queensland from a very early age, what are you memories of the success and fun you experienced playing senior cricket?
I enjoyed playing alongside and against senior players. I learnt all my cricket from those players. 1980 was the year that stands out in my memory. Playing for our local rep side Herbert River we managed to win every game we played in that year including Goldfield Ashes for the first time. Lucky enough to score 7 hundreds and a double hundred in that representative season of 8 games.
You moved to Brisbane at the age of 28 as family circumstances meant you had to work the family farm. How did you find the transition to Brisbane and being part of the Queensland squad?
Loved every minute of it. What a great mob of blokes, made feel welcome from day one. Trying to fit in is always difficult but everyone at Valley made me feel like I’d been there for years. I went to Brisbane to prove to myself, had circumstances been different that I may have had some chance of making it.
Making the state squad that year was an absolute bonus. Through QLD Country Cricket I had spoken to some of the guys on what I could expect so I knew what I was in for. Unfortunately family and circumstances once again stopped me from returning the following year. That was so disappointing and it wasn’t too much longer after that I retired.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Colin Croft - quick, mean and on a green top, was the only time ever I was happy to get out.
Ross Duncan could swing it both ways and late, played him at the end of his career. He must have been something in his prime.
Carl Rackemann - when fit he was a magnificent fast bowler and just a fantastic bloke to go with it.
Colin Croft
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Played in an era of mainly fast bowlers but Trevor Hohns stands out, so accurate and I struggled against him even on a wicket that wasn’t turning, super flipper as well.
Freddy Edwards - Townsville Wests leggie. He played for QLD country and had excellent control and accuracy. I could only pick his wrongun because it pitched outside off.
Kerry Emery - Townsville Wanderes and team mate, left arm orthodox, not a big turner but landed it on a dime.
Trevor Hohns
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
No need to say why. Viv Richards, Martin Crowe and David Gower.
Viv Richards
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Glen Trimble – South Brisbane v Valley scored 180 and we chased leather all day but it was awesome to watch him apply his trade. I never saw anyone who could hit the ball as far and as hard. Should have played more for Australia. Imagine him playing with the bats of today in the big bash.
Glenn Trimble
Was there any batsman or bowler in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
None that I lost sleep over.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
Yes the first day I turned up for Queensland State training.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen first hand playing with or against?
Apart from Ian Healy, Peter Anderson hands down, magnificent gloveman complete professional for a long period of time.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
I never knew anyone who competed harder than Joe Scuderi.
Joe Scuderi - Sam's brother played 82 first class games for Queensland, South Australia and Lancashire
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
I never enjoyed playing cricket more than when I played under Wanderers captain and Australian Country representative Warwick London.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
David Cottee used to crack me up just talking.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Not really but much of it was aimed at me. Lol.
Who was your childhood hero?
Ian Chappell.
Ian Chappell
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Usain Bolt, Tiger Woods, Michael Schumacher.
Usain Bolt
What was your favourite ground to play at?
No favourite grounds but I did enjoy batting at Harrop Park in Mackay.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Probably Wanderers premiership win. It meant so much to so many people at the time.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Australian Country v NSW in a one day game at North Sydney Oval. I managed to get 80 in what was a huge upset. Have to say however Geoff Lawson and Michael Witney were both coming back from injuries and NSW batted first on a very dodgy wicket. Mark Taylor was highest scorer for NSW with 50.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Garry Moore, David Cottee, Gavin Brown
You were selected in the Australian Country team. What did it mean to you to represent regional and rural Australia?
A lot of the first grade players through the metropolitan cities will never get a chance to play an International team.
As a country representative we got to play most of the International teams at some stage. Players who were unable to get to the big smoke could still get a chance to rub shoulders with some of the best players in the world. That’s something that can never be over looked. These days however the state teams are lucky to get a run against an International side.
The player of the year in Townsville Cricket is awarded the Sam Scuderi Medal and it’s a wonderful honour in your name. How do you reflect back on your cricket career?
I’m proud of what I was able to achieve with the opportunities I was given. I often reflect on what could have been. But given the same set of circumstances I’m sure I would make the same decisions. As far as The Scuderi Medal goes, it’s been going now for near on 25 years. When i think of the calibre of players to come out Townsville over time, and to have chosen the Scuderi name, truly is humbling.
What are your hobbies?
Love my golf and love my car.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
The sun will come up in the morning and watch the ball.
What is your occupation?
I work for Wilmar Sugar at one of the local sugar mills here in Ingham. I’m employed in the sector known as cane supply and transport. I can’t be too bad as I’ve been here near on 20 years.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Still love cricket but no longer involved.
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
That question is above my pay rate but at a guess I will just say Juniors and Women’s cricket.
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
