Steve Crews - family first

Steve Crews is a proud member of the University of Wollongong 2006/07 First Grade cricket premiership winning season.

In 2006/07 the first grade team won the 2 day competition along with the limited Overs and T20 competitions.

Steve has a much travelled cricketing journey across Sydney, Wollongong, in the UK and on the Gold Coast. Let’s find out more about Steve’s cricket career

 

What year you were born?

1974

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

I would have been about 8 I reckon. I was playing for St Pat’s Blacktown in the Under 10s competition and playing up an age because cos there was no Under 9s back then.

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey? 

I played Grade Cricket in Sydney for Western Suburbs & Parramatta (Grade), NSW Schoolboys U19s, NSW Police Cricket Club, Wentworthville / Holroyd (Sydney Shires), Huyton (Liverpool UK), University of Wollongong, Port Kembla. 

Two years ago I came out of retirement to play with my son James (now aged 15) at Mudgereeba-Nerang on the Gold Coast in his first game of seniors. The comeback didn’t last too long (funny story to follow).

I’ve been involved in cricket in various capacities since I can remember. As a kid I was at St Pats Blacktown for club cricket. School was through Patrician Brothers Blacktown then John Paul II Marayong Year 11 & 12. We were always quite competitive playing in the MCS comp for footy and cricket against schools like St Gregory Campbelltown, Fairfield Pats, and Parramatta Marist etc. Back then there was no Blacktown Grade Club so I went to Wests where I played 2 seasons of Green Shield and started my senior’s journey at the age of 15. 

In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?

15 at Western Suburbs.

At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut? 

Sydney Shires 1^st grade I was 14 playing with my older brother Ian at Wentworthville. We played Warringah at Weldon Oval. I was lucky enough to get 6 wicket that day – the breeze was kind and the ball swung a fair bit. Later in life I played First Grade at University of Wollongong which was a great way to end my competitive playing days – great bunch of fellas and a handy team too.

If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?

I started off as a bit of a childhood prodigy in the Blacktown area as a left arm quick and was fortunate enough to play for NSW Schoolboys U19s, 3 years young when I was in Year 10. I was ok with the bat but had my limitations. The higher the grade the lower I would bat.

 At Wentworthville (thanks to Andy Gokel) had a nickname ‘Nets’ because apparently I looked great in the nets but could not quite convert in to the middle! Later in life after the hamstrings, groins and calves went, thanks to Uni Coach Mark Mulready he converted me in to a makeshift opening bat at University of Wollongong and I just bowled in the T20s and one day games when required.

NSW Under 19 Schoolboys v Voctoria December 1990 - match summary

NSW Schoolboys v Victoria scorecard - December 1990

What were your strengths as a player? 

I’d like to think I always gave my best on the field for my team. Off the field I hope I would be remembers as a bit of a character. I never liked to lose – always very competitive. Batting I knew my limitations and where I could score. Bowling as I got older I had to work out I could not blast people out like when I was aged between 15-21 – and this got harder once the ball stopped swinging!

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

At University of Wollongong 103 was my top score in first grade. I made 140 in a Sunday league game for Huyton in England in in the mid-90s.  My first ever ton was 120 not out against Doonside in the Under 15s playing for St Pats Blacktown.

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

Best figures ever was 9 for 5 against Blacktown Workers in Under 15s. Funny day that. That season I went the whole year not getting out with the bat then in the Grand Final I got a duck. We lost. Seniors, can’t recall exactly but got a few 6 and 7 wicket hauls

Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?

Matthew Nicholson, Joey Dawes and Graeme Stinnson

Nicho – always horrible to face whether he was playing for Gordon/GPS or Knox. Tall, hit the deck hard and was terribly awkward to face. 

Joey Dawes – always at you. Terrorised NSW Police for many years when he played for Queensland. Great fella too and someone I enjoy seeing when I work at the Big Bash when Adelaide Strikers come to town. 

Graeme Stinson – country cricket legend. Absolutely no doubt he could have played First Grade in Sydney well in to his forties. Fast, skilful and just always in control. Stino had an extra gear he was able to call upon if he smelled a challenge.

Matthew Nicholson

Who were the best three spinners you have played against?  

Peter Sleep, Greg Harvey and Steven Doig. 

Doigy was incredibly accurate with his left arm orthodox. Never gave you anything. 

Peter Sleep I played against when had a year with St Helens Recs in England. I remember he was the first leggy I really heard the fizz of the ball and the snap of the wrist as he released it. Lots of energy on the ball. 

Later in life, Greg Harvey was a handful – similar reasons – I found him hard to pick and the noise of that fizz worried the hell out of me.

Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?

Gary Sheen, Greg Hayne, Martin Faull. All 3 tore me apart on different occasions. 

Sheeny in a schoolboys game NSWCCC v NSWCHS @ Manly Oval, Greg Hayne at the SCG in 1996 Sydney Shires XI v Sydney Grade XI and Marty Faull playing for South Australia Police hit me for the biggest six straight over my head during a Police Carnival in the early 2000s.

Greg Hayne

Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?

Garry Sheen made a ton playing for NSWCHS v NSWCCC @ Manly Oval 1991 or thereabouts. It was like I was running in to bowl against Mark Waugh. He just did not look like getting out.

Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always you to cause you a few problems? 

Steve Nikitaras and Greg Harvey. When Niko came back to Port Kembla from first class cricket he was scarily quick. Even off half his run he could still get them through. He and Harves bowling in tandom were a handful for many Illawarra cricketers.

Steve Nikitaras

Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in grade cricket and you really had to knuckle down to survive?  

Yes I can! I remember my first net session with the seniors at Wests. Back then their first grade was very handy – Peter Burkhart, Neil D’Costa, Steve Nikitaras, Dan Horsley, Anthony Mcquire. I remember being thrown in the first grade net at Blick Oval and Niko & Horse were charging in on the synthetic nets. Let’s just say it was a quick dose of reality for a 15 year old from Blacktown who thought he went all right.

Another example was a couple of years ago I foolishly made a comeback of sorts so I could honour my sons wishes to play a game with him. I played for the Mudgereeba-Nerang Bushmen in the local 5^th grade on the Gold Coast. I got to bat with my boy James which was cool. However I came in at number 6 and really struggled to see the ball. I only made a few then got bounced out by a classic ‘synthetic warrior’ caught off the glove down leg. 

We had the last laugh and I got a few scalps with my left arm very unorthodox and we won which was cool bowling in tandom with my lad. The following Monday I went and got my eyes checked at OPSM because I was sure my eyes were shot. After the test the optometrist said, ‘Steve the good news is your eyes are perfect. The bad news is, clearly you are no good at cricket’. I have not played since.

Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?  

Shane Deitz. Great fella too Deitzy

Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played? 

Shane Lee and Andrew Koutsoufis. Shane was our captain in the Schoolboys. I enjoyed watching his career develop and of course later Brett’s. Playing with and against him was my first real exposure to being competitive and combative on the field. 

Kouta is a great mate of mine and someone I enjoyed playing in the Illawarra with and also police teams. He always gave his all regardless of the match situation. And he will also tell you he is a Greek International Cricketer!

Shane Lee

Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?

Garry James at Parramatta and NSW Police. Fiercely competitive, knew how to influence, groom and befriend umpires. His pre and post-match speeches were priceless.

Who has been your funniest team mate? 

Garry James. Too many stories to tell and none appropriate for social media J

Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today? 

Yes, 2 come to mind. I played a game for Parramatta against Mosman at Rawson Oval. We batted first and got rolled with about 45 mins of play remaining Day 1. I took the new ball and steamed in. I beat the bat a heap against one of their opening bats. One over was 6 from 6 he missed. I remember getting that frustrated I demanded the opening bat retire because he was not good enough to be on the same field as us. I actually refused to bowl until he retired and asked the umpire if forced retirement was a rule. My fearless leader and captain Garry James was at mid-off laughing hysterically and finally convinced me to just keep bowling. He finally nicked off not long after.   

The second was touring with NSW Police to New Zealand. We played against Whangarei and they had an opening bowler called Joey Yovitch. Unknown to us, Yovitch was playing first class cricket at the time and bowled in the mid-140s. Like most police cricket tours, when play started, many of us were still well and truly affected from the night before and no doubt well over the legal NZ driving limit, let alone in any state to face a mid-140s bowler. As we got skittled, one of our players (Inspector Neil Stephens) refused to go out and face him. It was so hilarious but he did not go out there and was marked ‘Absent Out’ despite sitting there with his pads on most of the innings!

What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?

Dismissal I can’t recall but most embarrassing bowling was at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1996 playing for the Sydney Shires XL. I came up against Greg Hayne and Greg Mail. My return was 5 overs 0 for 35 bowling from the scoreboard end. Let’s just say Big Boris like my little left armers.

Who was your childhood hero?

Mike Whitney & Steve Waugh.

Mike Whitney

Who are the two sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?

Trent Robinson and Roger Federer   

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Kerry O’Keefe for his humour, Jim Maxwell for his analysis.

What was your favourite ground to play at?

Monty Bennett Oval, Wentworthville.

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Learning a few weeks ago my son James was picked for Queensland Country Under 15s. I am loving watching him grow and enjoy the game.

What’s the best win you’ve been involved with? 

At University of Wollongong in 2006/07 we won all 3 comps – T20, One Day Comp and 2 Day Comp. 2 Day Comp we got very lucky 9 down hanging on for a draw but the win is in the book so we ensure we celebrated appropriately thereafter. This team was a great bunch of fellas and still are some of my lifelong mates. I think the reason we were so successful was that we all got on so well and none of us wanted to let each other down.

Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque? 

Garry James and Andrew Koutsoufis for the comedic value and Rob McMahon for the story telling.

What are your hobbies? 

Watching my son James play, trying to stay fit and I am starting to get back in to golf. At present though I don’t have much time for hobbies with how busy work is.

What’s the best advice you’ve received? 

Best Life Advice - Family comes first – always. 

Best Cricket Advice – It doesn’t matter how many 400s you can run or how much you can bench press – if a ball pitches on leg stump and takes off stump, that ain’t gonna help you. That advice came from Dougy Walters.

What is your occupation?

I work two jobs actually. My primary job is I am the State Manager for Certis Security Australia in Brisbane. We moved up from NSW to the Gold Coast in 2016 when I was contracted for the security planning for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.  After the Games finished we decided to stay. Great lifestyle. I am now responsible for all matters in Queensland, Northern Territory, and the coast of New South Wales – at our offices in Newcastle, Port Macquarie and Lismore. I still proudly support New South Wales – as does all the family.

I also have my own security consultancy and investigations business, Tier One Advisory Group. 

Through that business I am fortunate enough to still be involved in cricket. My business is contracted to Cricket Australia and I am a member of CA’s Anti- Corruption Security Unit. We also perform services for Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) and more recently the Brisbane Premier League (BPL).

Are you still involved in cricket? 

Yes, I have been part of Cricket Australia’s Anti-Corruption Security Unit (ACSU) the past 5 years or so. I do the occasional tour as Team Security and perform the role of Integrity/Security Manager at domestic cricket including BBL/WBBL/Marsh Cup and Shield. When the Bushfire Appeal Match was on I was fortunate enough to do close personal protection for Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh which was a real career highlight. Both so very humble men.

Steve Crews, Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar

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? 

On field, give kids an opportunity to play all formats – T20, 50 over and longer form cricket. Let them play T20, let them learn to bat long. Don’t have all rep games simply 50 overs. 

Off field, continue to invest in ground developments, as is the case with Allan Border Field. Well done to QC on that.