Midland-Guildford Cricket Club
Chris Titley was a wicket keeper batsman who made his debut for Western Suburbs in 3rd grade in 1998/99 as a 17 year old.
He made a valuable contribution to the club on and off the field and always played the game with good humour.
Let’s find out more about Chris journey in the game
What year you were born?
1981
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Yes I do, it was Under 9 Wests Blue and I got 11 not out. I still have the newspaper clipping.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Wests Juniors, then one year for Toombul as 13 year old playing Lords Taverners as Mark Leflay was keeping for Wests so I couldn’t get into the team. I got lured over by the late great Jimmy Taylor and Iain Ross (what a player he was)... then back to Wests for 2 years in Lords Taverners (premiers) , Under 18 premiership, BGS , Wests 3rds, Wests 2nds, Wests 3rds, Captain Wests 4s, UK “Old Paulines CC” in London for 4 years and then game over.
What other sports do you play?
A bit of hoops and some touch footy in the past
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket in Brisbane?
17, Wests 3rd Grade in 98/99. A bloke called Greg Schossow opened the bowling in his debut game. I was happy being wicket keeper and not facing him. He didn’t last long in 3s.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
Unfortunately I didn’t make Wests 1st grade. I was robbed by 2 blokes who I’ve never spoken too since and intend never to speak to. Cameron McLeod and Anthony Cavanough. I believe Cam was adviser to Rowelly (Greg Rowell) in his Lord Mayor bid at the time so that figures. Cav robbed me of many representative teams along the way as well.
If you can share with our readers, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer? Batsman, bowler, allrounder, wicket keeper etc
Wicket keeper/ opening batsman if no one wanted to face the quicks.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
102 playing for Old Paulines in London. Dean Parkin helped me out with 70 odd. Followed closely by 94 in Sri Lanka at Columbo Oval. It was about 800 degrees.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I never bowled. Although I found a report card from a cricket camp when I was 12, Michael Jeh said I had a good action.
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
I mean I never played really against my good mate Steve Magoffin. But I watched him bowl at various locations across the World and I wouldn’t have wanted to face him. He was a tremendous cricketer and I’m lucky to have known him and watched him play through his career.
Steve Magoffin
There was a quick from Sunshine Coast who played Indoor Cricket for Australia, I can’t remember his name – I was nightwatchman and he was coming back from an injury and playing 2s instead of 1s. We lost an early one with 3 overs to go in the day and so Lossberg sent me in.
He yorked me first ball and it was plumb. I didn’t even see it. Given not out. I couldn’t feel my toe for a few weeks. He wasn’t happy and then proceeded to bowl a few more bumpers. I managed to survive through to stumps
Glen Batticciotto was quick as a 17 year old.
John Olzard got me out first ball on the first ball of the first innings in the first ever game to be played at Northgate in 1997 for IGS v BGS First XI. Given not out. True story, well bowled Johnny, but unlucky.
Who has been the best two spinners you have played against?
Shane Watson bowling off spin as a 17 year old was rather hard to play. He was told not to bowl due to a back injury. I don’t think he listened as he skidded the odd one through at about 130 if you hit him for two the ball before.
Steve “Harry” Paulsen was always hard to play in the nets. I loved keeping to him.
Who has been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Shane Watson without a doubt. His love for the game showed through his entire career.
Shane Watson
Duncan Betts on his day, he just loved to bat.
I loved watching Aaron Nye score runs, he worked harder than most.
Wade Townsend as a 15 year old. We kept sledging him but he kept on hitting them. Admittedly I was hungover and had been out the night before with David Cook.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
As I didn’t really prosper to higher honours I would have to say watching Martin Love bat was in general was a joy.
Who has been the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Chris Hartley, although when I stumped him, I told him “that’s how you do it son”. Maybe I made that up. But I did enjoy watching his progress to being one of the best QLD has ever seen.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Greg Rowell, just a lovely bloke on and off the field and fierce competitor.
Aaron Nye, those nights out at the Gold Coast were fun
Steve Paulsen, need no words. All Class.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with? And if you could add a few words to why
David Lossberg, hard but fair and we nearly got a flag but Spud Murphy denied us
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Steve Ryan, just couldn’t stop laughing behind the stumps, Iain Ross, Murray Procter
Who was your childhood hero?
Michael Jordan and Michael Lynagh
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Steve Waugh, Michael Lynagh, Steph Curry
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Steven Nottle from Norths, Brad Murphy (Easts at the time) and Tim Weller (Uni). They all loved to chirp and chirp – all very talented cricketers but good banter as well.
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Wests number 1 and Northgate number 1.
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
I always loved playing Uni or Valleys as they were hard to beat in any lower grade.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
The networks and friendships for life.
What has been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Fred Gwyn dislocating his shoulder for sure. In 2s, he and I put on about 30 for the last wicket (with the 2nd new ball) against Norths on Graceville number 1 to win the game. As Freddie hit the winning runs he runs past the non-strikers, leaps in the air David Warner style celebrating like he’d made 300 against England, crowd going wild (maybe 20) and you hear a scream “arhhh my arm”. He collapses on the ground twenty metres past the non-strikers, no-one around. Dislocated shoulder. Popped it out celebrating. Helped off by the team and others. Out for the season. It’s hard to forget.
Also having a net session at Lords with Ian Bell when a pommy mate won a comp.
What has been the funniest moment you’ve experienced in cricket?
As above.
A lot of fun off the field back in the day with Wests and some decent nights out at the Adrenaline Sports Bar once Dean Tuckwell and Greg Rowell woke up from their power naps.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Batting with Charles Slaughter in the UK. We put on maybe 80 when we were 5 for nothing to chase 130-140. A couple of pints and a vindaloo after, nothing better.
Who is your favourite sports movie or documentary?
I used to enjoy watching some old WWF but I suppose most people will say The Test or The Last Dance – both outstanding
What’s the one thing about you most people don’t know about?
I worked for cricinfo for a couple of years scoring live on the internet. Sheffield shield, one day games, Test matches and got to have lunch with Channel 9 commentary team back in the day and enter the Gabba using a “media” pass.
I also did all the online scoring for the Under 17 National Champs in Brisbane for a couple of years and provided all the data to Troy Cooley to decide the Australian Team. Good team back then – Tim Paine, Mark Cosgrove, Callum Ferguson, Xavier Doherty etc.
What are your hobbies?
Studying emerging technology companies and sitting behind a microphone podcasting
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
When’s the easiest time to get a hundred? When you are facing and you’re 99 not out.
I can’t remember who said it but it’s true to a lot of things in life, the journey makes the glory look easy.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
Not really apart from watching live cricket
If you were running Cricket Queensland what would your 2 priorities to ensure cricket in Queensland remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Grassroots focus, AFL is doing a super job of grassroots.
Ensure the welfare of players post cricket and introduce more post cricket life initiatives.