Kevin Geyer - play hard, drinks afterwards
Paul Ryan | May 18, 2023
Kevin Geyer made his first grade debut for Randwick in 1995 and after 2 seasons at Coogee he moved to the foot of the Blue Mountains to play for Penrith.
In NSW Premier Cricket from 1995 to 2012 Kevin scored 7,246 runs in 262 innings at an average of 30.19 and 11 centuries and 31 half centuries.
On the 14 February 1998 Kevin made his first class debut for NSW against Western Australia at the WACA. He played 3 first class games and 6 one day games for the Baggy Blues
Let’s find out more about KG cricketing journey
Firstly, what year were you born and where?
I was born in Bathurst, NSW, 1973
Where did you go to high school?
Bathurst High School
Do you remember your first ever game of cricket?
I don’t remember my first game……I remember following my Dad around Bathurst watching him from a very young age and developing a love of the game. I starting to play as a 6 or 7 year old.
Where did you play your junior cricket?
Centennials Cricket Club in Bathurst
Which clubs have you played for?
Centennials CC (junior and first senior cricket), North Sydney CC (Green Shield), Randwick CC (my first 2 Years playing grade in Sydney), Penrith CC
How old were you when you came to Sydney and what made you choose to play with Randwick?
I had been successful in Bathurst, and played representative country cricket (2 years for NSW Country at the Australian Championships), so thought I was ready to move to Sydney and play at that level. I had just finished university in Bathurst and was 21, when I decided to come and try my luck in the Sydney grade competition. I had a good friend playing for Randwick at the time (Paul Toole, went on to play many years for them, and captained Randwick Petersham after the two teams merged), which made it more comfortable moving away from home and playing in Sydney.
What age did you make your first grade debut?
As a 21 year-old, I started in First Grade at Randwick, I played the game at Coogee Oval. I remember thinking the bowling was much faster and consistent than I had ever experienced, and wondered if I’d made the right choice to make the move. I made an average two before I was far too late on a delivery and trapped LBW.
What is your highest score in first grade?
I made 170 against Campbelltown at Howell Oval
You played 3 first class games and 6 one day games for NSW. How did you first find out you’d been selected to play for the Blues, who told you and can you describe the emotions.
It was in my first year at Penrith when I got given the news. Trevor Bayliss told me that I was close, and to prepare myself to potentially play. I was blown away that I might get the chance to realise a dream.
You played your first Sheffield Shield game at the WACA against Western Australia with Mark Taylor as captain. Can you tell us about what it was like to wear the baggy blue for the first time, playing with the Australian captain and what do you remember about the game?
It was an amazing experience playing at the WACA for and having Mark as the captain. We got bowled out for around 100 in the first innings, and WA were 1-300 at the close of play on the first day…..I scored a memorable 0 in my first innings. I got 30 in the second dig, falling victim to one of the first run-out, third umpire decisions.
How do look back at your first class career. How did you find the challenge compared to First Grade cricket in Sydney?
I look back fondly on the few games I got to play. To get to play alongside the likes of Taylor, Bevan, Slater, MacGill and the Lee brothers (and many more unbelievable cricketers) was far more than I expected when I first moved to Sydney. The standard just keeps improving….pace and consistency. First grade was also a very high standard, with first class and Australian players filtering back into club sides regularly throughout the season back then.
Why the move to Penrith?
I have always lived out near Penrith (Emu Heights) even when I was at Randwick. No other reason other than the travel. Every training session and game was like an away game…..very tough to continue doing.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
I’ve been fortunate to win 3 Sydney Grade One-Day competitions and lose a very tight Grade competition in a final against Sydney University. They are all fantastic memories………I think just the huge amount of friends I’ve made both for the teams I’ve played in, and also many opposition players is what I find most memorable
Who’s been the biggest influence in your cricket career?
Definitely my family. My Dad throwing balls to me for hours each day growing up, and my mum driving me all around country NSW to give me amazing opportunities. Their sacrifices allowed me keep improving and to play the game I loved so much.
Who was the funniest cricketing team mate?
In Sydney, probably Paul Goldsmith at Penrith. An exceptionally hard working player who could always lighten the mood on and off the field… and a teammate called David Dillon from Bathurst (whose exploits could fill a book), and is still a great mate
Who is your favourite all time cricketer?
Probably Ricky Ponting from Australia……and Viv Richards as an international player
What was the best win you were involved in?
On any other occasion a fairly ordinary win. It was a rain affected match against Northern Districts, the last game of the season. We worked tirelessly as the away team to get the on the field and we ended up winning a tight reduced overs game. The effort to get a game was rewarded as the points from the win helped us sneak into first position in the Club Championships for Penrith. It meant a huge amount to the club and the players.
What’s the best innings you saw played in NSW Premier Cricket?
I saw Richard Chee Quee score an incredible 170+ not out for Randwick against a star studded Bankstown attack in a one-day match. As a teammate in my first season in Sydney it was phenomenal. An equally brilliant 200 from Nic Maddinson in a game we played against Sutherland
Do you remember a bowling spell where you thought, gee game on here, this is a challenge and it’s a step above what we’re used to?
Probably early on in my career when I played a game for NSW Country against the NSW Second XI side at Bankstown Oval. They had Scott Thompson and Steve Nikitaras. ‘Niko’ was as fast as anyone I’ve faced on his day….and an enormous step up from anything I’d ever experienced to that point.
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?
Wow, I’d like to fill that plane! Probably Paul Goldsmith and Dale Turner. (We often do find ourselves in that position, although not heading to London)
Did you have any cricketing superstitions?
No, not really
Which ground in Sydney club cricket did you enjoy playing at the most?
Coogee Oval was always special. It was my first home ground and an amazing location
Who were the 3 fastest bowlers you played against in NSW Premier Cricket?
Brett Lee, Wayne Holdsworth and Steve Nikitaras were three that bowled testing and scary spells.
Who were the top 3 spinners you played against in NSW premier Cricket?
Stu MacGill, Greg Matthews and Gav Robertson were all a great challenge.
Who were the 2 players in NSW Premier Cricket you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit during your timer?
Rod Davison (an incredible opener who always seemed to score heavily against us, and had an incredible appetite for batting)
Anthony Stuart (amazing competitor and bowler. A team mate at Randwick, who I once saw bowl 20 overs with only 2 players on the on side)
Third and final, Grant Lambert (seemed to take 50 wickets and scored 600+ runs every year, a large proportion against us……should have played far more first class cricket)
What did you enjoy most about playing NSW Premier Cricket?
The experiences and memories it has given me.
What’s the best advice you ever received?
Lucky enough to be rooming with Mark Taylor and picking his brain about the game, his batting, and amazing performances. He said to me ‘KG, numbers and statistics are great…. but at the end of your career, there should be a 100 different guys you could call and go for a drink with….’
What advice would you offer a young 17 year old who has the ambition of playing Test cricket?
Be dedicated and be the hardest worker at your club, but have balance and other interests. Cricket can be a tough game, you need to be able to have those outside interests to allow you to take your mind off the game and provide that balance.
What are your hobbies?
Anything thing with my girls, golf and running
What is your occupation?
I’m a PE teacher at Chifley College and NSW Department of Education
Are there any lessons from your time in cricket that you take into work or life in general?
Make sure you enjoy what you’re doing. It’s hardly work then.
