Damien Meek - never give up
Paul Ryan | July 01, 2023
NSW Over 50s v Queensland Over 50s in the Australian National Championships in Adelaide on 24 November 2022.
The rules in the Over 50s National Championships stipulates batters have to retire at 50. So, when Damien Meek launched a 6 off a NSW bowler he immediately turned to the dressing room, fists raised and pumped and proceeded to walk off the field having hitting 3 fours and 4 sixes on his way to 53 runs of 23 balls.
You could sense he was filled with pride and joy, and he had a real get up and go about him. He then opened the bowling for Queensland and whilst wicketless, he bowled with the same energy in which he batted and a genuine big heart.
Not long after the National Championships Damien was selected in the Australian Over 50s World Cup team to tour South Africa
A proud Queenslander, let’s find out more about Damien’s journey in the game.
What year you were born?
January 1971.
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
10 years old. Played in Murwillumbah. Not all that well. I was the runt, in shorts, parents were poor, I was sent to live with my grandparents who didn’t have much either, so I played in shorts and had to borrow gear. Never bowled, there were superstars in the team, and rarely batted as the superstars were the coaches’ kids.
One day they all failed, I made 20 odd batting 11 and we won the game. They fielded me at short cover, short leg without protection as no one wanted to do it, they were scared, and I took great catches which cemented me in that silly position. Never bowled.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I moved back to Sydney when the parents got divorced. Played for Willoughby, Northern District, Carlingford. School teams was Naremburn Public and I was captain of the school team that went through undefeated and even had a draw of 15 runs each side on a wet wicket.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
Never played grade cricket in the big smoke. Never made a rep team, we were too poor to nominate. No scouts then, I just did my best when I could.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Bowler who loves to bat. I just never give up. If you have a bad day with the bat, then make sure you bowl well if you get the chance. If you suck at both, then don’t miss field, keep ya throws up to the keeper and don’t drop a bloody catch.
What were your strengths as a player?
My fight and knowledge on strategies to get the best out of the game. I just never gave in or gave up. There are only 10 good balls in an innings, when you only score 15 for the whole team then they have to be 10 pretty good balls.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
Got the opportunity to bat above 9 and got 101 against Mosman in Sydney when I was 18. Never got another opportunity that season as I showed up the coach’s son.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
10 January 2005. 17 overs | 2 maidens | 52 runs | 6 wickets v Wests in the Townsville A Grade Competition
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
- Ryan Dowson – Relentless
- Justin Dixon – A master at his craft
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
I honestly can’t think of anyone who I had respect for as a spinner. I used to take on Andrew Symonds thinking……how far can I hit them into the carpark….
- No one ever thought batters 9, 10 11 were going to last so we never tried too hard.
- I used to get a lot of red ink due to others around be getting out before me.
- Rarely batted higher than 9.
Damien batting for Australian Over 50s cricket team
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
- Darren Frakes – Australian Country Rep
- Patrick Hagenback – Just too good
- Tony Hampson – Technically, I was like bowling to a picture in a batting technique book from the 80’s
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I have been on the receiving end of watching a few fine 100’s when bowling and have been the batsmen crafting out a few game winning innings, (You get more than your fair chance at 9, 10, 11) but lately playing for QLD in the last Nationals in Adelaide, I just loved my 60+ against WA and the fastest 50 off 23 balls against NSW which made it very difficult to for selectors to leave me out of the Australian side to play in the world cup.
Was there any bowler or batsman who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
I haven’t been fortunate enough to play top state level so my exposure to that is non-existent. I will say Darren Frakes was a batsman that seemed to have all the time in the world and all the answers. He could have gone further, but like me, are just boys from the north who struggle making it because of the choices we had to make, work /career or try with all the knockers and maybe, just maybe get a sniff. But if you fail, your career will need to start again handicapped by years and then that mental issue of you thinking you failed at Cricket, how are you going to have a career, family, and future.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in senior cricket?
Playing for QLD in Over 50s cricket and then Australian Over 50s and suddenly realising that you are good enough to be there.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Tony Hampson – QLD Country, Australian Country too I think.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
My captain – Matt Schembri. A real battler, a bloke that has to work and work and work on every aspect, fitness included. He is an engineer who just loves the game. He has helped me along the way and when he wants too, he can craft out an innings, bowl his little spinners and then take a catch with the reflexes of a cat. He is truly a great competitor who works so hard as his natural talent is stock standard, but then his work on his game boosts him to levels most believe they should have through their own talent, but don’t.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Clint Keble – Just 3-4 steps ahead of anyone.
What are the two attributes of a captain you admire most?
- A great mathematician
- Respect for others while it’s going bad
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Scott and Wayne Breen – two very talented guys who have played Brisbane 1st Grade. They put a 2nd grade team together in Townsville and won back-to-back premierships from ordinary players. The key was we all had amazing fun and a lot of laughs.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
No, unfortunately not. I have been called a silly old c… by a 17-year-old opener who played and missed for about 4 overs and after I asked the umpire if the stumps were regulation size as the ball just seems to constantly miss them. He thought it was his turn to call me that.
My skipper ran from 2nd slip to stop me…….I went back to my mark and the next ball went across in front of his grill……the next ball saw off stump hit 1st slip in the shin.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
Over 50s in World Cup v’s Sri Lanka. I attemped to guide a ball through vacant and missed the ball. Their keeper gloved it and theatrically appealed with all the breath in his lungs, and I saw the umpire give me out. Keeper later apologised but I was out for 0 in my first game for Australia Over 50s.
Who was your childhood hero?
Allan Border
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
- Allan Jones – F1 Driver – What you had to do back then, sacrifices to win.
- Ian Murray – AUS II Skipper – To win against it all.
- Alisa Camplin – Olympic Gold Medallist 2002 – To endure so many injuries and still get up there and risk your neck and finally get gold
Alisa Camplin
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
That’s easy. The Great Man ABC Radio, Peter Walsh
What was your favourite ground to play at?
North Sydney Oval – I hit a spinner onto Miller Street
You’re now playing over 50s cricket, what’s the best part of playing veterans cricket and what advice would you offer anyone over 50 who is thinking about playing again?
Mateship! If you think you can’t, prove you can’t by making it….because you can……..I did
Queensland Over 50s cricket team - Australian Over 50s National Championships in Adelaide - November 2022
You were selected and played for the Australian Over 50s cricket team that played in the 2023 World Cup in South Africa. What did it mean to you personally to be selected in the Australian Over 50s team and what was the experience like to play in the World Cup?
It meant that you can obtain your dream. Even if your dream had been modified since 12 years old and the team you made is the Over 50s. I believe that it worth more. More because I managed to hold on to that dream, chase it down, staying fit, focused all that way. When I got it, I just cried, cried in front of selectors and my wife who pushed me.
Experience – Eat your heart out Neil Armstrong
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Singing the national anthem after getting my Australian Over 50s baggy green
Australian Over 50s World Cup team - March 2023
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Premierships, nothing has beaten those yet.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
We used to have a few…….many mates playing with or against. Too many to choose.
What are your hobbies?
Motor sport – Drive Off Road racers and navigate in Rally cars. Winning the QLD Round at Carwell in 2005 in a Subaru.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Never give up. Dr Precopoious lent over my bed and said, “Don’t give up young man, cause I am not” I was diagnosed with a cerebral aneurism at 11-12 and was not looking like I was going to survive. I was in Hospital for 2 months in the terminal ward for kids, well before Ronald House and somehow I survived…………just didn’t give up, and won…..and still winning
What’s your occupation?
MSS Security – Contract Supervisor for the Townsville City Council Contract for MSS
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
You bet ya, off to play for QLD v’s TAS next weekend in BNE, Townsville Mendi Tropical Big Bash (Draft pick #12), Townsville Summer Cricket, Nationals in Victoria in December and then AUS v’s NZ v’s NZA v’s USA in March 2024, then the next world cup.
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?
Get the money from the big boys into grass roots cricket and support the country. There are plenty of hardened cricketers that just need a chance. Clubs need all the help they can get. They do it in AFL and look at that……
