Taran Finemore First Grade Cap #193 - Penrith Cricket Club
Penrith Cricket Club | June 09, 2025
What year were you born?
1990
Tell us about your cricket journey.
I started my junior cricket playing under 10s with Springwood Cricket Club until my final season of juniors. Springwood couldn’t field a team, and so I moved to Glenbrook/Blaxland CC. I was a little bit of a late bloomer. I started representative level juniors with Penrith in the under 13s second side, and that Penrith connection would stay through to Green Shield and then into the Sydney Grade competition. I had a cheeky game of Colts for Penrith in my last days as a junior cricketer before starting proper in the 5th Grade side in season 2006/07. Apart from two seasons, 2017/18 where I took the obligatory cricket hiatus (the one we all need to have), and a season in the local comp for Glenmore Park in 2018/19, I’ve played all my Grade cricket with Penrith and will continue to do so.
In 2008 I had a great opportunity to represent the Country Schools Cricket Association in the old Lord Taverners Competition, something that was a great experience with a bunch of talented blokes from the country. I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of 2 Club Championships, a PGs, 4th Grade, and 5th Grade competition winning sides, as well as representing the club, if ever so briefly, in as high as 1st Grade. In my twilight seasons, I have held supporting roles in multiple Green Shield campaigns, captained our 3s and am currently captaining our 4 th Grade.
If you can share with our readers how you would describe yourself as a cricketer?
I’d say medium pace swing bowler would be the most fitting description.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
Apart from the immense pride I get from representing the area that I grew up in, it’s absolutely the camaraderie you develop with the people in and around the game, both your clubmates and the rivals you gain along the way. You know you are playing the game right when you get to the end of a tough battle, and you close the day swapping stories over a cool beverage.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket so far?
I’ve had a few, and this is an answer that’s probably changed a lot over the years. I’d say winning the Reid Cup in 2014/15 would take the cake. The loose celebrations that followed had the added sentiment of being the last season for a lot of senior players who had helped shape me as a cricketer, Glenn Venables, Matt Kimble, and even though he’d come out of retirement for a season to skip our 5s, Josh Betros.
Who’s your favourite all-time cricketer?
Dale Steyn.
Who is the fastest bowler you’ve played against?
I recall during my junior years having to face Chris Withers a few times a season, and that was always terrifying. In my Grade career, I’ve not really had the privilege to face a seriously rapid bowler, but I remember thinking I made it as stick one overcast day when I faced out an over from Nigel Cowell on a seaming Syd Uni 1.
Who is the best spinner you’ve played against?
I can’t say anyone springs to mind because I struggle with names, but mostly because even an average spinner sorts me out in a ball or two. I can shoutout two young spinners going around now; Isaac Nichols is a bright star for Penrith, and George Cumming of Manly. Two talented finger spinners with bright futures ahead of them.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Playing with has a few contenders, but I can’t go past a Ben Betros hundred at Bill Ball Oval 2014/15 against Parra 3s. One dayer, he must have scored it by or just after the first drinks break. Immaculate straight power hitting from ball one, cleared the old pavilion at least once, possibly twice with huge on-drives.
Against, again there’s a few, but Andrew Pandelis stole a 50 over game from us at Harold Fraser one year in 4s with a brilliant counter attacking innings for 81* off less than a run a ball after a big top order collapse. Was a man on a mission that day, never looked like getting out.
Who is the best wicket keeper you’ve had the good fortune to play with?
I played a lot with Tim Cummins in my early years; he’d have to be up there. I also played a few games of cricket with a baby-faced Tyran Liddiard as well who has gone on to become one of the best going around currently, but he was still a young’un learning his craft when I played with him. It’s a tough one, but I’ll give this one to Tim, who is also still playing well for Sydney University. I do sometimes miss hearing him tell the outfielders to get their throws up.
Is there a young player in your club you’d like to nominate as a player to watch?
If I had finished this profile when I was supposed to before Season 2024/25, I would have said Scott Jobling, but that would be cheating, as he went on to have a great season. So, looking forward to season 2025/26 I would say Ashton Russell. Has the makings of a high- grade top-order stick with great timing, and the temperament and resilience to back to it up.
Who are the two players you’ve come to admire most in your club in terms of skills and competitive spirit?
I won’t cheat here and drop half the club. Skill, it would be hard to look further than Ryan Gibson, no contest. Competitive spirit, Nick Adams is a fierce competitor and a great example of what hard work and discipline can result in.
What are the two attributes you like to see in a captain and leader?
Difficult to nail just two. For me, when I think good captains, I think good people management and charisma. Answer may sound a bit dry, because you won’t so much from a leader, but all elements of a good team, your skilled players, cricket smarts, your leader
doesn’t necessarily need to be the best at these (though I won’t lie, it’s a huge boost if they are), but they do need to have the ability to manage the 10 other personalities, leverage the best of each of these players at training and come game day, maintain a clear unit focus, hold the team to account, and have the charisma to get the message to cut through, particularly in pressure moments or after tough defeats, to really instill that sense of belief in the team in and within the players themselves. I’ve been really blessed to have played under a few captains like this; Ian Russell, Glenn Venables, Shannon Finemore, Tim McKay, Brett
Newman, Chris Withers, and Mark ‘MG’ Graham. I know it's a bit of list but they are deserving of a mention, and I try bringing a little something from every one of them to my leadership.
Which singer/band would you like to see perform live?
I’ve been fortunate to see a heap of great performers from Elvis Costello to Parkway Drive, but I’ve always wanted to see Muse or Rammstein. Some of those stadium gigs look next level.
Favourite location, city or country as a holiday destination?
There are some fantastic spots throughout Tasmania that have me wanting to repeat visit.
Who’s been the biggest influence on your career so far?
My family. My parents, who still to this day turn up to all my home games, who drove me and my 3 brothers to so many training sessions and games over the years, who always encouraged me to work hard. But also, my brothers. Those brotherly battles in the backyard are formative experiences in being persistent, tough, but playing in the right spirit (most of the time). I’m really fortunate that my brother Shannon continues to help in being a better leader and mentor, something that I hope will help me continue to give back to Penrith and the game long after I stop playing.
Where do you find inspiration that gets you through challenging times?
Soppy answer, but I look to my little brother. He went through some challenging health issues in his teens and early 20s, and the way he managed it all and came out the other end of it is a huge inspiration when I’m struggling for motivation and perspective.
Who are the three people in the world you’d love to meet and talk to?
Tough to nail just three, but right now I’d go John Green, Hannah Ferguson, and David Pocock.
What do you like to do to relax outside cricket?
Big nerd. Love to read and watch documentaries, particularly science, history and culture topics. Video games in the off season. I do get outdoors sometimes too, terrible gardener and occasional bushwalker.
What do you do for work?
I’m a laboratory scientist at NSW Health Westmead, currently in the Parasitology section. The blokes I’ve captained can tell you all about it.
Do you have a favourite quote?
A quirky, green alien once said on the big screen, “Do, or do not. There is no try”. It’s stuck with me for a long time.
What are your goals for the next season?
Continue to foster the growth and development of our amazing club.
Can we ask, what would it mean to you to play first class cricket?
Those days are long gone, but it was a dream of mine and would have been amazing. I’m extremely grateful to have a Penrith First Grade cap though.
Photo credit - Fred Marzano & Barry Clarence
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