In Between Balls with Paul Francis

What year you were born and where? 

Born in 1996 (ancient) and grew up in Barden Ridge, where my brother scattered several wahu cricket balls off my bowling during our formative years. 

Can you remember your first game of cricket?

Fell in love with the game after watching the 2006/07 Ashes. I was 10 and immediately wanted to start hitting balls in the backyard. I wasn’t the superstar I thought I was going to be and was immediately brought back to earth in my first game at Gannons, bowled first ball by Luke Bartier. A humbling experience. 

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

I started out at Lugarno where I’d gone to primary school. Made my way to Illawong Menai before grade, where I spent 7 seasons. I was a leg spinner who couldn’t hit it off the square until 15, where the schools cricket coach saw me bowling seam up and encouraged me to continue. I was then an erratic medium pace bowler who couldn’t hit it off the square. A few years of hurling them in all sorts of directions culminated in me attending a trial for St George in 2016, where Paul Witherly and Ed Zelma got a hold of me and I started bowling straight (sometimes). I made 5s and have played every grade besides 1s. It’s been a rollercoaster I’d go on again and again. 

What other sports do you play?

I played soccer and AFL as a kid. Was hopeless at both (no coordination).

Who is your favourite sports movie or documentary?

The Last Dance.

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?

Sky Sports do a fantastic job covering the game properly, void of biases and appreciating the players properly, rather than criticising every decision. The guys on that team like Ponting and Broad are good to listen and learn from. 

How many years have you played at St George?

This is my 10th season. Gone full circle hoping to crack 5s. Club has never been stronger. 

St George Nickname?

Greals got Rifle going for a few years. But generally, just Pauly.

Highest Level Played (St George or Representative including Jnr Level)?

Saints 2s. Made a few appearances for a team who made the 2nd Grade final. That was definitely the highest quality of cricket I’ve been a part of, players like Walshy, Chuey, Dobbo, Moorsy who were playing at a high level. But also the general standards and camaraderie were great to be a part of.

What’s your highest score in senior cricket? 

Made 96 in a park game in 2015. Tried to bring it up with a maximum. Caught at long off. I’ve been thinking about it for the last decade. 

Highest Score for St George?

95 not out for 5s, a few days after I’d relinquished 3s captaincy. There may have been a declaration involved in this game, but I chewed the shit out of them to be fair. 

What has been your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

Could rattle this off my tongue in milliseconds. 8/26 against Manly in 3s. What a day. 

Can you tell us which players in the club we should be looking out for in terms of higher representative honours?

Harry Scowen has the tools to go far. 

Who has been the scariest bowler you have played against so far?

My brother after a cover drive. 

Who has been the best spinner you have played against so far?

Haven’t played a high enough level to differentiate anyone from each other. If you’re saying people I’ve played with - then a young Raf MacMillan, who was incredible at an early age.

Who has been the best batsman you’ve played against?

I can’t really recall playing against too many batsmen that people would know, so again I’ll cheat and say the best I’ve played with - Vansh Jani who was incredible for 3s, and also an emerging Sammy K and Blake Nikitaras.

Who has been your funniest St George team mate?

Last year’s 5s team was the most I’ve laughed in my life. The rain delays during the grand final spring to mind. Not sure if Wigs will agree. Take your pick from any of them honestly. Matt Dedes from a while back was very funny too. 

Who was your childhood hero?

I always wanted Ricky Ponting to score runs when I watched him, so I’d say Punter. 

Name some St George players you admire most in terms of skills and competitive spirit?

When I was younger, I had guys that I looked up to like Walshy, Rod the Bod, Warky, Chris MacDougal, Simon Chu. In their own ways they showed me the ropes. 

Greatest St George influence?

Really hard to pinpoint one. I’d say the season that influenced my attitude the most was my second season in 2017/18 - we won about 3 games in 2s. I remember the feeling of losing; how dour the dressing room was and how dejected we were each week. Since then, I’ve gone into every season with a goal of trying to establish good culture within a playing group. The teams that have this always seem to be winning. 

What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?

Every game has its own story - not necessarily an on field one either. When you have a close group like we’ve built the last few years you’re bound to have a good time.  Also - the elusive premiership quest. 

What don’t you like?

Covers, rain, losing.

What do you enjoy most about playing at St George?

Probably that we’ve built such a strong foundation the last 5 years - the playing group has largely remained the same. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be, even if I’m batting 9 and not bowling at Hawkesbury, the culture has been fantastic in the team’s I’ve been around and while that’s strong, I’ll enjoy it. 

What has been your most memorable moment in cricket?

The 8 wickets against Manly was such a surreal day. It’s memorable due to the fact I keep replaying it in my head to make sure it actually happened. 

Tell us about the best win you’ve been involved with?

In 2019 I ‘played’ a 2s game at NDs. I use the inverted commas because I faced one ball batting at 11 (1*) and didn’t bowl. We stayed at Waitara (reluctantly) till about 4pm until the first ball of a 24 over per side game was bowled. We made 100, NDs were 1/60ish with 10 to go. Josh Moors took 2 in 2 to give us a sniff. Some really good bowling gave us about 4 to defend off the last, and Dobbo bowled 6 yorkers, including bowling their final batsman off the last ball to seal a win by one run in near darkness. Was a special day. Turns out that 1* was valuable. 

What are your hobbies?

I’ve taken a fair few 4th division English club to the champions league on FIFA.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

I haven’t really been able to hone it, but Steve Wark used to stand at mid-off while I was bowling and say, “Give them nothing, and they’ll give you something”. I also found that when you apply this to dating women, it works just as well. 

If you were down to $10 how would you spend it?

Whatever Pat Brown recommends on trackside

Advise to any youngsters looking to make it in the game?

The game can offer you so much beyond runs and wickets. It’s the big moments we play for, but it’s the little moments that we remember. Be resilient and do whatever it takes for your team. The game will pay you back. 

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