Peter McLay was a 6 foot 4’ left arm orthodox bowler affectionately known as “Skylab”
After completing his HSC in the NSW Riverina city of Wagga Wagga, Peter moved to Sydney to further his cricket and joined Western Suburbs.
Peter McLay is Western Suburbs first grade player number 513 after making his debut against Mosman on 16 November 1985.
A talented spinner Peter played NSW Under 19s and Australian Under 19s as well as NSW Colts and NSW 2ndXI. In the late 1980s and early 90s NSW spinners included Greg Matthews, Murray Bennett, Peter Taylor, Gavin Robertson, Tom Shiner, Adrian Tucker, Anthony Kershler, David Freedman and Greg McLay. Whilst he may not have played for the Baggy Blues, Skylab at his peak more than held in his own.
Let’s find out more about Peter’s journey in the game
Peter McLay and his sons Sam (left) and Angus (right) - Lake Albert 2nd Grade in Wagga Wagga in 2015
What year you were born?
1966
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
My earliest memories of playing cricket were on a Saturday morning in the Wagga Primary School competition at the local AFL ground, Gissing Oval. I would have been about 8 years old and was a tearaway fast bowler. There were four cricket pitches mown into the outfield (no rolling required) and kids running around everywhere just having fun.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I couldn’t wait to begin playing men’s cricket and signed up with Wagga RSL Club as soon as I got to high school. I played junior cricket up to the age of about 15 before I began playing first grade in the local Wagga Wagga competition. After I left school, I moved to Sydney to pursue my goal of playing cricket at the highest possible level and joined Western Suburbs in the Sydney Grade competition. I played at Wests for 7 seasons before transferring to Queanbeyan with work in 1991. I then played with Queanbeyan for 6 seasons. I transferred to Newcastle with work in 1998 and retired from cricket for several years before making a brief comeback for a couple of seasons in 2012 and 2013 to play with both my sons, Sam and Angus.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
I played 1st grade in Wagga Wagga from the age of 15. I began playing 3rds at Wests aged 18 however I was 19 when I made my first grade debut.
Back Row – Ted Cotton (Coach), Martin Wood, Paul Stepto, Peter McLay, Gavin Robertson, Steve Funnell, Jack Wilson (Manager)
Front Row – Kevin Tuite, Chris Shelley, Glenn Breusch, Mark Patterson, Justin Kenny (Captain), Andrew Millican, David Niu, Geoff Lovell
At what age did you make your first grade debut in senior cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I don’t recall how I performed on debut however I got another game so I must have impressed somebody?
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Spin bowler and handy mid to lower order batsman.
Peter McLay batting
What were your strengths as a player?
My spin bowling was my strength through my teenage years and early 20’s before I lost confidence and subsequently lost my action and developed the ‘bowling yips’.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
I scored 165 in Queanbeyan 2nd grade in 1995 and jointly held the equal club record highest score with my mate Geoff Woods for some years.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I got a couple of Michelle’s (‘five fors’) in 1st grade for Wests however I can’s recall my best figures.
Sydney Morning Herald - January 1987
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Paul Reiffel – team mate in Australian U19’s, honest & bowled line and length all day
Chris Killen – ‘scary quick’ & had a mean streak as well
Murray Radcliffe – team mate at Wests and could ‘make the ball talk’ with seam and swing on his day
Paul Reiffel
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Greg Matthews – team mate at Wests in the 1980’s
Murray Bennett – fellow left arm orthodox spinner and one of nature’s gentlemen
Gavin Robertson – team mate in Australian U19’s, all round good bloke and talented musician as well!
Also better throw in my little brother Greg for obvious reasons!
NB – Greg McLay played 6 first class games for NSW
Gavin Robertson
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Scott Hookey – hit the ball as hard as anybody and loved destroying bowling attacks
Brad McNamara – talented all rounder who could always be relied upon to dig the team out of trouble
Peter Solway – team mate at Queanbeyan for many years and a legend of ACT cricket.
Peter Solway
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Scott Hookey got a century in the 1st session at Pratten Park in about 1988. I can’t recall the opposition however it wouldn’t have mattered that day as he smashed them to all parts. He eventually threw his wicket away however he ‘lived and died by the sword’.
Was there any bowler/batsman in particular who whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
All bowlers caused me a few problems as long as they were landing on the pitch!
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
I recall playing against a touring English fast bowler at Manly Oval one year. He was on the fringe of test selection however I can’t recall his name? I only lasted three balls before I managed to edge one behind. I recall thinking it was the fastest thing I’ve never seen!
The Australian Police Cricket team - United Kingdon tour 1987. Peter MClay is 4th from the right in the back row
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Greg Dyer closely followed by Paul Ryan. Michael Wholohan a distant third although could party like there’s no tomorrow!
Greg Dyer
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Brad McNamara (Wests) and Murray Radcliffe (Wests), both had the ability and skill to win a game off their own bat or ball.
Brad McNamara
Who had the most influence on your cricket career and why?
My childhood coach Warren (Wozza) Smith had a huge influence on my teenage development and convinced me to give up fast bowling and take up spin bowling. He is a local legend in Riverina and NSW cricketing circles. Also need to give a plug to my little brother Greg who played Shield cricket in the late 1980’s. As you can imagine, we had some pretty competitive backyard games as kids growing up in Wagga Wagga.
Greg McLay
Which umpire in did you admire most in how they managed a game?
The late Bernie O’Connor was a first grade umpire in Wagga Wagga when I making my way in the game and one of nature’s gentlemen.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Dirk Wellham – very astute captain who knew the game better than most
Dirk Wellham
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Michael Wholohan closely followed by Jason Penrose –both from Penrith way. Must be something in the water?
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
I recall running down the wicket after a delivery and having a word to Michael Wholohan in a Poidevin Gray match at Howell Oval in about 1985. I don’t recall what I said however we have been mates ever since!
Who was your childhood hero?
Dennis Lillee
Dennis Lillee
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Shane Warne (RIP), Cameron Smith (golfer) and UFC fighter Conor McGregor
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
The late great Richie Benaud (RIP)
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Pratten Park
What’s been your greatest achievement in cricket?
Touring India and Sri Lanka in 1985 as part of the Australian Under 19’s, there were some great cricketers on that tour including Tom Moody, Paul Reiffel, Gavin Robertson, Andew Zesers, Dean Reynolds etc.
Peter McLay - 3 for 21 off 10 overs
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Michael Wholohan, Paul Ryan and Peter Solway
What are your hobbies?
Playing golf (not very well), caravanning with my family and walking my dog.
What’s your occupation?
I have been a police officer for 35 years and also a retained Fire Fighter with Fire and Rescue NSW for 17 years.
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