Brenton Alp - if you want to be a decent cricketer never take the easy option
Somerville Cricket Club | April 30, 2024
Brenton Alp has played all his senior cricket with Somerville Cricket Club in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association. At the time of publication Brenton has scored over 6,000 runs for the club.
Brenton’s family have a long history in the game with his grandfather playing first class cricket for Victoria and his father Peter has made an indelible contribution to the local community and Somerville Cricket Club over many years.
Let’s find out more about Brenton’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1993
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Would have been 9 playing under 12s. I remember the game well as I was playing against a few people from school
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Players juniors for Somerville but played my top year of juniors at Heatherhill with mates. Only ever played senior cricket at Somerville but did go to England and play a season over there for a club called Waresley. Had some of my best life and cricketing experiences over there. Won a few junior and senior flags along the way.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
It was in the 5ths with my old man. I made 48 not out in 35 degree heat. Gary Spencer a gun older bat was at the other end on 100 when I came in and specifically told me boundaries only (I didn’t hit a boundary and we both finished not out, sorry mate)
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?
Over here just Firsts with Somerville and we got skittled by Burchy and Paul Waterhouse. In England I played one minor county game against a few very decent premier cricketers from over here.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I’d like to think I'm a hard hitting opening bat that's hopefully getting a little bit smarter as I get older. Others might say differently.
What were your strengths as a player?
It’s changed as I get older. At the moment I have the confidence in my game and ability to hit the ball hard early in an innings while the fields up.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
201 not out in the 2s, 134 not out in England and 113 not out for Somerville Firsts.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
5 for 34 in England and 4 for 20 odd for Somerville
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Jayde Herrick - genuine superstar. Scott Phillips had an aura about him and I always thought Tom Collett felt like he bowled a good ball every ball. Have been fortunate enough to play basically my whole senior cricketing career with Aaron Kaddatz and Rusell Wilkes as well, superstars.
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
I've long thought Brent Martin is the most underrated player in the competition, very accurate with good change ups. Dan Kelly and Penn Goonawardeena both had a great season at Somerville and Lyle House is a gun, he bowls too quick to use your feet forward or back.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Bobby Wilson obviously, when he’s on you won't get him out. A few younger blokes here as well, Kane Hawkins is a superstar and could be anything and Damien Lawrence has probably been a top 5 bat in the MPCA for 3-4 years now. Leigh Lowry is the goat that I've played with.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Leigh Lowry, I've seen him play about four of them. Amazing player
Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
There's been a few of them, but I'd like to think there's not really anyone anymore. If I think someone's really good, it makes me work and concentrate harder.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
Facing Jayde Herrick late on a Thursday night with a brand new rock. Also played Seb Gotch and Ashton Agar in Dowling when I was younger. You could tell they would make a career out of it and not to long after that Agar made 98 in an Ashes Test from number 11.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Can’t split Andrew West or Craig Black, both brilliant.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Leigh Lowry, just amazing technique at fielding and batting and Aaron Kaddatz has put us on his shoulders plenty of times with his bowling but especially his death bowling. Wouldn’t have won the 2014/15 flag if not for his performance in the semi.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Leigh Lowry again... Tactical Genius. Ben Delaney taught me plenty when I was younger as well.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
A few of the younger boys Zane Martin and Ryan McNamara have absolutely no respect for anyone and get under opposition players skin every week, it’s a great laugh. I hate to admit but you literally can't sledge Ricky Ramsdale, he’s got a comeback for everything, you won't win unless you actually win the game.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
It was the last round of the year when we won the flag, the opposition were getting relegated and a one of their fast bowler after he had been dismissed said to Matty Roach the bowler “you're slow, I've got 10 f****** ks on you” Leigh Lowry without even blinking an eye turns around and yells “you can take your f****** 10 ks to sub district champ”
Who was your childhood hero?
My Grandpa played cricket for Victoria, Edwin Lewis Carter. My Dad was as well. On a more international scale probably Adam Gilchrist or Ricky Ponting.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Ricky Ponting, Alastair Clarkson, loving what Josh Giddey is doing at the moment
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Kerry O’Keeffe and David Lloyd
What was your favourite ground to play at?
The Nest, Jones Road.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
1st’s flag in 2014/15, never thought it would happen until it did. Was lucky enough to hit two 6s to take us past Red Hills score as well. Just an unbelievable feeling.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Semi-final against Seaford in 2014/15 was an amazing game as both teams were up and about. Thanks Kadda! The following week wasn’t bad either just quietly.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Are we talking literally or figuratively?
Literally speaking Justin Allsopp, Jarryd Bailey, Jack Kennedy, Vance Donaldson
Figuratively speaking Madu Perera, Jimmy McDonald and I've been accused of not being great between the wickets at times
What are your hobbies?
Play a bit of golf but hack it around, love AFL at local and elite level and enjoy going out Paddle Boarding to relax
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Theirs a few...
My favourite bit of advice came one night at the Somerville Pub from a stranger whose name I never got; it probably changed my career. We had our pants pulled down that day, I was batting 7 and was having a very average season. The bloke came up to me in my Somerville top and said “If you want to be a decent cricketer never take the easy option, test yourself, demand to bat as high as you can and get angry if you're not facing the best bowlers at your club every week. If you can face them well then you won't have any trouble with the other decent bowlers in the league”. That Thursday I faced Jayde Herrick with a new rock at training bowling genuine gas and asked to open the batting that weekend, since then I've never looked back or wanted to bat anywhere else.
At the local level you're not expected to train like a professional, but if you want to do well with the bat you need to be facing at a minimum 300 balls a week (bowlers, bowling machine, underarms and/or throw downs), just get it done. If you do that you quickly learn where you are making your mistakes and stop making them in a game.
Back yourself, if you work hard at training and go out or make a mistake playing a shot that's a strength of yours then don’t worry about it, keep working hard and hit it harder and better next time you get the chance.
“Tell yourself you are the best at what you do, if you don’t convince yourself in your own mind then you will never convince others with actions”
What’s your occupation?
Carpenter/ Builder - BKLA Construction
Renovation/ Extension - Construct + Group
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?
I've never played premier so it's hard for me to say but on face value I’d cut the number of teams in the premier cricket competition in half and make it a tougher more competitive competition. I also think a lot of talent gets lost if they don’t come through the underage pathway system, I'd like to see as much focus put into elite premier cricket playing 20–26-year old's as there is in elite 16 year old's.
