Rod Tucker - never stop learning, never stop evolving
Paul Ryan | April 05, 2023
Rod Tucker made his first class debut and played one game for NSW in 1986/87 before moving to Tasmania in 1988 and establishing himself as a fine all-round first class cricketer.
All up Rod played 103 first class games scoring 5,076 runs at an average of 36.25 including 7 centuries and 28 half centuries. With the ball he took 123 wickets at an average of 41.80.
He played 65 one day games scoring 1,255 runs with a highest score of 85 and hit 7 half centuries. He took 69 wickets at an average of 28.72.
Rod is know a highly regarded International Cricket Umpire who at the time of publication has umpired 71 Test Matches, 84 One day Internationals and 35 T20 Internationals.
Let’s find out more about the man who’s affectionately known as Budgie
What year were you born?
1964
Do you remember your first ever game of cricket?
I don’t remember the first game but my 1st full season was in Newcastle playing for Charlestown . Best performances that year 9/22 and 65 retired
Where did you play your junior cricket?
After Charlestown we moved to Tassie for 18 months . Both Darren and I played for Clarence. I think Darren actually played 2nd grade . He would have been 12 or 13 .
Which clubs have you played for?
Sydney - Central Cumberland / Parramatta , Balmain , Gordon
Tasmania - Devonport CC , Newtown CC , Clarence CC , Lindisfarne CC , Eastlake CC ,
UK - Farnworth in Bolton , Accrington and Haslingdon Lancs League , Netherfield Northern League
How old were you when you first played grade cricket, what grade and for which club?
16 Yrs old for Cumberland 5th grade
What age did you make your first grade debut?
18
What do you remember most about playing grade cricket in Sydney?
The competitive nature of it back then. Some great personalities and players.
Who were the 3 players you admired most in Sydney in terms of their skill and competitive spirit?
First and foremost my brother Darren. He was a fighter and never gave his wicket away, technically he was very sound. He was always very calm and matured at a young age. Its was a shame he did not get a chance to play Shield cricket as I think he would have been solid.
Darren and Rod Tucker in the NSW Shield Squad
Rod “Loggy” Bower, Log and I went to Farnworth together in 1984. As others have mentioned he hit the ball very hard. The grounds in Bolton were not big enough for Loggy !! More importantly a great guy .
Its hard to single out anyone else so instead here are some names that spring to mind. Wayne Seabrook , Andrew Jones , Steve Small, Trevor Bayliss , Richard Done , Steve Bernard, Ian Davis, Gary Bensley, Peter Clifford… I could go on !!!
Can you remember how you found out you were selected to play for New South Wales for the first time?
From memory I was selected to go to Zimbabwe in 1986 . Very excited.
What do you remember of your first class debut?
Bowling 1st change after Mike Whitney and David Gilbert vs South Australia . They got off to a flyer with Glen Bishop and Andrew Hilditch, possibly going at at least 8 an over. I asked Whit for some advice, not a good time to ask as his figures were 0/35 off 3 approx !! We got hammered . I think I got 2 /80 off around 25 overs and got 25 and 12 with the bat . My one and only shield game for NSW. Mark Waugh was 12th man that game and we dropped 11 catches.
You left Sydney at the age of 24 and moved to Tasmania, what prompted the move and why Tasmania?
I was on a Tooheys Cup trip to regional NSW and Steve Small suggested it to me. I had not even thought about it before that.
What was your highest score in First Class Cricket?
165 v NSW
What was your best bowling figures in First Class cricket?
I think 4 / 51 – never got a 5 wickets in an innings
Who was the fastest bowler you played against?
Names like Patrick Patterson, Ian Bishop, Alan Donald, Duncan Spenser, Jason Gillespie spring to mind but I always felt that once they were fast they were already fast enough. Dave Gilbert bowled very quickly on occasions for Tassie.
Rod bowling in the nets with David Gilbert
Who was the 2 best spinners you played against?
David Freedman when at his best at the SCG was tough for lefties. Greg Matthews and Tim May also and a guy called Shane Warne bowled pretty well on occasions. Also Stuart McGill , probably no surprises here.
Who were the top 3 bowlers you found the most difficult to played against?
I had some great battles with Carl Rackeman. He seemed to bowl faster at me “around the wicket umpire “ as I walked into bat with Tank Barsby at short leg chirping “ he doesn’t like you Tuck” – mmmm no shit Tank!
Bruce Ried bowled a spell at me at Bellerive that was unbelievable . I don’t think I was good enough to hit the bouncing outswingers. I think he bowled maybe 6 overs in a row at me and I cant remember scoring a run. Then Chris Matthews replaced him and bowled a wide short one and I hit it straight to point.
Mark Harrity and Jo Angel were others that come to mind .
Who were the top 3 batsman you found the most difficult to bowl to?
I can think of plenty more than that. You think of the names in Shield cricket back then, Stuart Law, Martin Love, Mathew Hayden, Michael Beven, Justin Langer, Michael Slater, Damian Martyn, Mathew Elliott , Jamie Siddons, Geoff Marsh, Tom Moody, Wayne Andrews, Graeme Wood, Glen Bishop, Jimmy Maher, Brad Hodge, Dean Jones and not to mention Mark and Steve Waugh, Allan Border, Greg Ritchie … the list goes on !!
Most difficult though for a medium pacer who though he was quicker than he was, David Hookes and Darren Lehmann , both could hit you to either side of the ground from the same ball and had so much time.
Who were the 3 players you admired most in first class cricket in terms of their skill and competitive spirit?
Ricky Ponting. From the moment he came into the Tassie set up he was hungry and had a great cricket brain. He gave it everything every time he rocked up.
Phil Emery. He led a very inexperienced group of guys when the Australian players were away. He was a competitor and a great guy. I also think he got the most out of his ability.
Jamie Cox. . A great guy to play with and played the game in the right spirit. He learnt his game over time and adjusted . His record is very good over a long period of time.
After finishing up in Tasmania you played for the Canberra Comets, what do you remember about the experience?
I was trying to work a full time job and play and coach the Comets , it was very difficult and to be honest I don’t think I did the job justice because of that. I enjoyed coaching and working with team mates but things didn’t work out. Jeff Hammond coached and I captained the first year and I was player-coach in the second year. I enjoyed my time there and met some great people, Cade Brown , Jason Swift , Peter Solway to name a few. Also Anthony Stuart and his wife Natarsha became very close friends.
Who was the funniest cricketing team mate?
Without a doubt Steve “Big Stewy” Stewart. He played at Parramatta and then at Balmain. He is still one of my closest mates and still one of the funniest blokes I know. He was the best under 25 net batsman in the world in 1984!
Who was the most annoying team mate?
Mark Ridgway, also one of the funniest. Still don’t know how old he is!
Who is your favourite all time cricketer?
Dennis Lillee and Doug Walters. My debut for Tassie in a one day game I replaced D K Lillee who had a hamstring injury .
What was the best win you were involved in?
Tasmania v South Australia in Adelaide in the last round and we had to win to make the Shield final . We chased 360 odd on the 4th day on a wearing Adelaide oval wicket. Ricky Ponting 160, Dene Hills 100, I think R Tucker 0 - haha
Rod batting for Tasmania in a one day game
If you’re in the middle seat of the middle row of Qantas QF1flight to London which team mates would you choose to on your left and right?
Big Stewy and my brother Darren, this would mean we were going on a golf trip.
What was the attraction to start umpiring?
My first reason for getting involved was that I was getting annoyed with some players whinging about umpiring. I thought it was about time former players put their hands up. Now their whinging about Pistol (Paul Reiffel) and I.
How old were you when you made your debut umpiring in Grade Cricket in Sydney?
I was 38 in 3rd grade I think. I cant remember who my partner was .
Who were the umpires you admired most when you started out as an umpire?
Steve Davis and David Shepherd. They both had a great manner about them and were respected by the players.
When I started Darren Goodger, Shane Reed and Nick Fowler were great mentors. I didn’t want to be an umpire that felt like he was the center of attention, like Billy Bowden or Dicky Bird. I have always related it to wicket keeping, if no one notices you, you have done a good job.
Can you describe how you felt when you were informed you were about to make your debut as an umpire in first class cricket?
I felt like I was ready a bit earlier than they appointed me so I actually thought “its about time.” I remember Pistol and myself being told we were not experienced enough, I replied that between us we played in over 250 first class matches, I don’t think we will be over awed!
As a former first class player and captain how do you compare the experience of umpiring and playing at that level?
Its so different. You don’t have an outcome of performance until you reach international televised games. When you played you got runs or wickets and it was obvious how you had performed.
When did you make your debut as an umpire in Test Cricket? How excited were you and what do you remember most about the experience
I debuted in Hamilton NZ v Bangladesh in 2010. I don’t remember being excited just hoping not to make a goose of myself.
Who were the three batsman you admired most as an umpire in International Cricket?
Kane Williamson, possibly the best technique I have seen, certainly the most humble “great player” I have seen.
Kevin Pietersen, not the most humble, but certainly one of the most gifted and when he came to the wicket he had incredible presence.
Virat Kohli, he seems like if he is switched on he will make as many runs as he wants.
So many others Virender Sehwag, Kumar Sangakarra, Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, Brendan McCullum, Joe Root.
Who were the three bowlers you admired most as an umpire in International Cricket?
Trent Boult, such good fun to be out on the ground with and also a challenge to umpire with his swing .
Dale Steyn, had another gear when he wanted it . a gentleman as well.
James Anderson, in English conditions he was at his best but also could step up when required .
Others Vernon Pilander, Ravi Ashwin, Stuart Broad, MorneMorkel, Jasper Bumrah
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
World Cup semi final NZ v SA in Auckland when Grant Elliott hit a six in last over to win. I was one of the two on field umpires.
World Cup Final Eng V NZ - I was the TV umpire.
Most favourite ground to play at?
SCG
Most favourite groud to umpire?
Lords
Who was the funniest umpire you’ve had the pleasure to umpire with?
Bruce Oxenford and John Ward
Technology – good or bad for cricket from an umpires perspective?
Its great for the game. The game now goes on the way it should have the majority of the time. I don’t think it has changed umpiring as we still have to make decisions
What piece of technology is most valuable to an umpire and why?
Ultra edge. It is very accurate nowdays
Who’s been the biggest influence in your involvement in cricket?
My mum and dad for driving myself and my brother around as youngsters. Also Steve Small’s suggestion and help to move to Tassie. If I had stayed in NSW I was told I would probably have not got another game
What’s the best advice you ever received?
Move to Tassie !!
What advice would you offer a young 17 year old who has the ambition of playing Test cricket?
The obvious one is the harder you train the luckier you get. Learn your game, it is possible to have to many shots, Steve Waugh changed his game early in his career by reducing his risks .
What are your hobbies?
I love my golf. I’m a member at Mollymook Golf Club. I’m a very bad surfer and love food and wine.
Its not a hobby but my wife and I own the McGrath Estate Agents in Mollymook and Ulladulla. We’ve just partnered with them and they have been amazing during these changing times.
Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general?
You never stop learning, never stop evolving. If you stand still in these times people will go past you and you will miss opportunities. My wife Andrea keeps pushing me to grow and learn, something I wish I had done more of when I played.
