Wade Pelzer - if you never ask, you’ll never know.
Wade Pelzer is a proud Old Peninsula member having joined the club at the age of 21 and has played a significant role in a number of premierships as well as being the captain of the firsts.
A team first player who enjoys the success of his team mates.
Let’s find out more about Wade’s journey and insights
What year you were born?
1982
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
9 Years old playing Under 12’s for Langwarrin. No idea how I went on the day but must have loved the day as I’m still playing 30 years later.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Played all my junior cricket and start of senior career at Langwarrin CC up until 2002/03. Then moved to Old Peninsula to play under John Forrest and have been there ever since, love the place.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
I was 15 years old playing in the 4’s as a specialist wicket-keeper. Sat back and watched Shane ‘Hungry’ Jack pile on 1200+ runs for the season including a game at Tyabb baseball ground where he made 203 not out and I sat with my pads on for 40+ overs watching. Unfortunately, even with the amazing side we had we lost in the GF.
What was the highest grade you played and can you remember what you were feeling when you were selected and how did you perform on debut?
Highest level ongoing has been 1st XI Provincial cricket at Langwarrin & Old Peninsula. I made my 1stXI debut for Langwarrin v Heatherhill alongside Fast Bowler Adam Jones who tore through their star-studded side. I didn’t keep and batted 11.
I was lucky enough to play for Vic Country in 2011 in WA which was a great experience and also have played Country Week for a few seasons. I remember when I was first selected for the purple’s and was shocked as I didn’t believe I was good enough to be selected at the time being pretty young. It was an amazing experience to play alongside some of the great MPCA legends of the time.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Batsman who struggles to reach the boundary (ask any of my teammates over the years) ex-wicketkeeper who started bowling when I became captain haha.
What were your strengths as a player?
Passion – The passion that I have for whoever I am playing for and bringing all my teammates into the game.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
Old Peninsula 182 not out 1st XI Provincial v Mt Eliza at the Harry Mac Oval
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Old Peninsula 6 for 25 1st XI Provincial v Crib Point at the Harry Mac Oval
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Scott Phillips – Pace, swing and skidded through at a consistent pace. Went all day without letting up.
Adeel Hussain – Great battles, someone who never gave up and would hit the seam regularly and never gave you an inch.
Adam Jones – Fast, Angry and never bowled one in my half at training! Nothing like facing the big fella coming around the wicket in fading light at training. But a massive heart and privileged to play with for many years.
Special mention to Jayde Herrick who I only faced once and filled me in with a very fast bouncer!!!
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Dwayne Doig – Never gave you a chance to run down the wicket at him, great control and dip.
Leigh Jansenn – Very similar to Dwayne, good variation of pace.
Justin Grant – Hits the same spot with grip, rip and bounce
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Dan Warwick – Always makes runs against us, great feet and fast hands v spin. Can score 360 degrees.
Anthony Blackwell – Pure class, just next level when we played him.
Chris Brittain – Can take a game away from you with ease and with a smile on his face.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Andrew Parsons 60 batting at 9 v Baxter in 1st XI Provincial GF. Tore their hearts out.
Dylan O’Malley 215 not out v Flinders 1xt XI Provincial - Hit 3 x 6’s in the first over of the day off Matt Gale from there just took the piss.
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Marc Uccello – Could never score off him, he would drop it on a 5c piece and swing it in and away. Then get me out after he was bored of me not scoring against him.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
In my first Country Week Carnival we played at Altona v Ballarat and I was batting with Scott Phillips and we were 5 for 45 and put on 133 for the 6th wicket to get us back in the game. Was intense and had to dig in as didn’t want to let the purples down in my first carnival.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Ben Tracey – Up to the stumps to anyone unbelievable hands.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
John Forrest – His leadership both on and off the field sets a great example for everyone involved in the cricket club and community.
Justin Bridgeman – For pure competitive spirit, I have played with and against Bridgy and he would go to war for you and against you if it meant he could help win the game. A great competitor and great bloke.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Glenn Prendergast – A leader of men, always found a way to galvanise the whole team and get them on the same page playing for him. 2 x time Provincial Premiership skipper.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Nigel and Jeremy LaBrooy – Get those two together and the hilarious stories carried on from the cricket field deep into the night.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Turning up to a CW game and inspecting the turf pitch prior to our warm up. Addy knocking on the pitch with his knuckles, then turning around to the boys “Those boys are going to have to wear 2 helmets today against me on this deck!”
Who was your childhood hero?
Brian Lara, Ian Healy, Matthew Richardson
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
John Daly, Shane Warne, Ric Flair WOOOOOO
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
David Lloyd and Harsha Bogle
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Harry Mac Oval
What’s been your most memorable moments in cricket?
4 x Old Peninsula Premierships, 1 x CW Provincial Premiership, Playing on the MCG
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Aside from the 4 MPCA flags, the Semi Final win v Baxter away. We were 4th on the ladder they were 1st it was a stinking hot weekend and they had 1 wicket in hand and needed 1 run to tie which would have taken them to the GF. After we took the wicket the next thing I remember is our crowd streaming onto the ground going wild, scenes I have never seen before or been a part of in local cricket.
Close second the CW Provincial Flag Paul ‘Arnie’ Hartle taking 6/29 to win the game, was epic after a massive week away.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
John Forrest, Dylan O’Malley Glenn Prendergast, Zac Filliponi (Zac doesn’t speak so he doesn’t count as actually being there, but I love him)
What are your hobbies?
Sport – Avid Tigers supporter, Camping and getting away with Friends and Family, Mowing my lawns.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
If you never ask, you’ll never know.
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?
Continue to make cricket ‘fun’ for junior cricketers. There are so many different sporting/leisure options out there these days how do we keep the essence of the game firstly but make sure the kids are falling in love with the same game I did as a junior.
As a younger player in the lower grades it was always a thrill coming back to watch the 1sts still playing, just brought the whole club together. So coming up with someway of perhaps starting the lower grades a bit earlier/shorter matches so there was a chance to come back and watch the end of the 1sts = more people at the club = higher food/bar takings = better off field cricket club atmosphere.