Jason Albress - play hard, have fun

Main Ridge Cricket Club | October 26, 2023

Jason Albress joined Main Ridge Cricket club in 2002 and has made a tremendous contribution to the club on and off the field. A highly valued team mate who thrived on competition.

Let’s find out more about Jason’s journey in the game. 

What year you were born? 

1976 but feel free to put some mayo on it and say 1996

Can you remember you first game of cricket?

6 years old for Wattle Glen U12s. Made a duck and cried. Good memories

Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?

Started in juniors at Wattle Glen then Hurstbridge. Then played 1st XI school cricket for Ivanhoe Grammar before a couple of years at Collingwood. Returned to the Diamond Valley Cricket Association for Montmorency for some time. Moved from Melbourne to the Mornington Peninsula and started playing at Main Ridge in 2002.

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

Played B Grade (2nds) at Hurstbridge at 14 years old and took a Hat Trick……Boom!

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?

The first XI at Ivanhoe was a great standard in the AGSV at the time, especially touring Tasmania and playing the Crusaders who had Australian and State players. Represented the DVCA at U21 level which was also a decent standard

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

Batting all-rounder that bowls ‘spin’. Spin in inverted commas as I never have ever genuinely turned one.

What were your strengths as a player?

Competitiveness and habit of playing better when the team was in trouble. 

What was your highest score in senior cricket?

192 for Main Ridge at Main Ridge against Hastings. Albeit in the 2s #longstory

What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?

6 for 22 against Boneo at Main Ridge. Please mention that Ryan Jellie, Cam Williams and Flinn Shiel were victims that day!

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

In the DVCA it was ex-AFL player Terry Keays. He was a menace! One of the fastest in the history of the competition and with a 2 piece ball. I was one a MANY victims. On the Peninsula it’s probably Mark Fulton (Seaford/YCW) for similar reasons to Keaysy. The other is probably Terry Doyle. Whilst I did ok against Doyley (Gus Martin would get me out at the other end!) he had every trick in the book and loved playing Main Ridge.

Who were the best three spinners you have played against? 

Well I have to say Leigh Janssen as I’m officially his bunny and he is more than happy to remind me. Never had a clue what Sanjee Weeresinghe was bowling and in recent times have really admired the work of Brent Martin. Love that he tosses it up no matter the circumstances and his accuracy is brilliant. Ask Billy Sakalis about it.

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

In the DVCA it’s an easy question. John Bubis was the best local batsman I’ve played against. Deliberately annoying too and would sometimes walk out to bat with his cigarette packet tucked under his sleeve. We had an all-time awesome bowling attack and he continually made us look silly. Jet! 

Justin Elliott (brother of Matthew) has to be on this list too. I played with him at Montmorency and he was a freak. One of the funniest humans I’ve ever met too. Great player, zero ego.

On the Peninsula, there’s been a few and special mention to Dart, Wyatt and Scott Morone. But I’ve played Jim Boyd 3 times for 3 centuries and no outs. Thought I was on top of him one day when my first 8 overs went for 7 runs. He then calmly took my next over for 26. Have a spell Jase.

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

Justin Elliott again. Playing Research at Research against Adam McGinty a fast bowler who had played for Victoria the year before and he slayed it to all parts of the park making 150 plus. It was incredible.

Gaz Wyatt made a match winning ton against Mt. Eliza and special mention to Ed Aarons’ 90 against Jayde Herrick (bowling smoke) at Somerville, without a pull shot. The bruises were worth it!!

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

Leigh Janssen has got me out a few times but I did get my revenge. The part timers also at times as I wanted to get on top of them and not get out at the same time.

Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?

As a teenager, playing in the lower grades at Collingwood, ironically against Frankston-Peninsula on a green top at Jubilee Park. A young quick I had never heard of named Mark Fulton had apparently been dropped from the top grades for a disciplinary matter.

I didn’t know the details but this dude was quick and angry. We were bowled out for about 60. I was proud of my top score of about 20. Batted for ages and wore plenty on the body. But I remember thinking I wasn’t in Kansas anymore!!

Probably can add the time I infamously took my helmet off against Jayde Herrick (same day of Ed’s 90). I couldn’t see out of it as I didn’t normally wear a helmet. Be fair to say he was none too pleased. I got called some interesting things and had my life threatened repeatedly. He was serious too. After a few overs of non-stop bouncers I think I kicked my stumps over at the other end. But the standard definitely lifted that day.

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

Sean Pendlebury at Montmorency hands down. Tall for a keeper but always at the stumps against some very quick bowlers. Won games by building pressure. Also a gun bat and a gun human. Probably a guy that could’ve excelled at a higher level.

Keep an eye on 13 year old Jack Barker at Main Ridge. Oozes talent. 

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

I have a lot of time for the good players that played without ego like Scott Morone, Joel Malcolm, Jonny Guthrie and Issy Dias. I like the way Rhys Elmi goes about it too.

Then there are the competitors on the field that are the first blokes to shout you a beer after the game or have a chat to you when you bump into them like Shaun Foster, Brent Jones and Ricky Ramsdale.

But for a combination of everything it’s most likely Gareth Wyatt. When I played against him, starting out at Main Ridge I was blown away by a guy coming out to bat, yet to make a run, sledging the fielders and bowlers. Couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Was then on the receiving end of a 180 run master class. But then getting to know and understand the man as a teammate and mate has been pretty special. No one cares more about the ‘little people’ at a club more than Gaz. He is someone who genuinely cares about humanity. But possibly the most competitive cricketer I’ve ever played with.

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

On the Peninsula it is probably Pete Mereszko. Pistol was a great player but had the right blend of telling you how it was and putting your arm around you. He would look you in the eye and give honest feedback but you also knew he had your back. Tactically Pete was very astute and thought a lot more about the game than people gave him credit for. Possibly the most underrated aspect of his leadership was his preparedness to take the heat from the opposition and ultimately protect his teammates. He was much maligned on the field with the opposition and that suited him just fine. It meant that whilst the opposition were focused on Pete, it was making things easier for likes of myself, Eddy Aarons and Trav Barker to thrive.

Who has been your funniest team mate?

I love to laugh and some of the best laughs have come through cricket. Eddy Aarons is right up there. Billy Sakalis too but more to laugh at (Sorry Billy). Shaun Foster on the field is hilarious and enjoyed the season getting to the Grand Final with Foz as skip. Brent Jones at 3am is one of the funnier humans going around.

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

The one that always comes to mind came from Eddy Aarons (who else) when playing a team who had two brothers, one a superstar of the competition. The non-superstar brother came out to bat and Eddy kept calling him the Bupa brother. I’m laughing now thinking of it. Eddy also questioned one of the competition greats with ‘What have you ever done?’

There are a few others that can’t be repeated as well. I enjoy Ricky Ramsdale’s banter on the field. Found myself laughing at his sledges of teammates on more than one occasion.

Who was your childhood hero?

Other than my old man it was probably Larry Bird when I was a youngster

Larry Bird

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

Larry Bird, Usain Bolt and Sally Fitzgibbon

Who’s your favourite cricket commentator? 

Ian Botham

What was your favourite ground to play at?

Has to be Ditterich Reserve, Main Ridge. No brainer

What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?

Played in some Junior Premierships and Premierships overseas but beating Red Hill in a Semi Final a couple of years ago was right up there. This will sound strange but being a big contributor on a team that avoided relegation when, on paper, we probably should have is a special memory. Beating the top side that year in Mt Eliza was one of the greatest all time wins.

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

I have to name 4 others. It’s got to be the Main Ridge Rat Pack……myself, Gareth Wyatt, Eddy Aarons and Billy Sakalis. Stuart Rigby is the Rat Pack secretary so he’s coming too. Could be a big Saturday afternoon/night.

What are your hobbies?

Knitting, macrame and bonsai. Just kidding. Watching the Mighty Tigers and being part of the 3RPP Radio Team are a couple.

Jason Albress and Jack Reiwoldt

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

Treat others how you would want them to treat you. Don’t eat yellow snow is also good advice

What’s your occupation?

Secondary School Teacher……….AJ King should know this

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?

How long have I got?

I can’t get off my soap box about Test Cricket. It is my love and passion and it is dying. It’s so sad to see. It’s the greatest sport. It really doesn’t need to die either but every Test match needs to mean something.

The World Cup of Test Cricket ideology is excellent but the actual running of it is a shambles.

Run it over 4 years, each nation playing each other nation home and away. Points table then semi and grand finals. You could have meaningful awards for Top Run Scorer, Wickets Taken etc etc. It would be amazing. Unfortunately the governing cricket bodies of each nation are so divided and focused on the welfare of their own team rather than the game itself. Which will ultimately lead to the death of Test cricket (insert crying emoji here).

Not what you were asking for but I feel better to have that off my chest!