Andrew Knight - great times
Andrew Knight is QLD Veterans 50s Player No 1 having faced the 1st ball in over 50s cricket and Australian Over 50s representative No 21 having played internationals vs NZ and England
He represented NSW at Schoolboys, Under 19s and Colts and was a member of the Sheffield Shield Squad before Moving to QLD in 1987
Andrew toured the U.K with the Australian Under 19 side in 1983 - a side that included Ian Healy, Craig McDermott , Mike Veletta and Tony Dodemaide just to name a few.
In Grade cricket Andrew played 1st Grade cricket in Sydney with Mosman and Gordon Cricket Clubs before he moved to Queensland in 1987 and played for Toombul District Cricket Club
Andrew is a life member of Toombul Cricket Club and he played 20 season in first grade starting out as a fast bowling all-rounder but then later played as an opening batsman who occasionally bowled.
Apart from playing Andrew is a High Performance Level 3 coach and has been involved in coaching clubs, schools and representative teams.
Now a Veteran there’s been many highlight but none more so than being skipper and winning premiership in the Winter Warehouse competition playing with his two sons.
Let’s find out a little more about Andrew’s cricket journey
Welcome Andrew,
Firstly, what year you were born?
1964 in Sydney
What is your nickname?
Silent, AJ, Knighty
What was your most memorable moment in junior cricket?
Receiving a phone call from the NSW Cricket Association as a 12-year-old telling me that I’d was the recipient of their and the Sunday Telegraph encouragement award. I was presented with the award by NSW and Australian All-rounder David Colley. Over 40 years later we still are in contact and I still have the Slazenger Bat that he presented me with!
Do you have a particular routine before a game?
Repack my bag the night before. On game day I always find a spot to sit by myself before batting
What do you like to do on your days off?
Love the beach. There’s nothing better than sun, sand and surf and then after relaxing with friends
How do you amuse yourself on a plane flight?
Listen to music and sleep
Which singer/band would you like to see perform live?
Would have loved to see Queen with Freddie but sadly not to be. Really enjoyed seeing Icehouse live and have been lucky to see them a couple of times as well as the Angels
Who is the king of selfies at your club?
Without a doubt Paul Stenhouse with the Big Show Andrew Reddich a very close second.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Scott Williams, he is pure gold or Bob McGhee it just comes naturally without him knowing he does it!
Who has been your most annoying team mate?
I’ve been really lucky and haven’t had anyone in the dressing room that I would say really annoys me however as a serial Pest – Paul Stenhouse wins hands down but in a good way
If you won the lottery, what would you buy first?
I’d follow the lottery win plan that I’ve developed
1. Free from the bank – get rid of the mortgage
2. Free from work – income producing property
3. Look after my 2 boys
4. Look after some friends
What’s your favourite city in the world to visit?
London
Who was your childhood hero?
DK Lillee comes a close second behind my dad. He passed away in 1997. Was lucky enough to play a few games with him as a kid – a fantastic experience and I’ve been lucky enough to play a few seasons with my 2 boys. I hope they feel the same way!!
Who is the fastest bowler you’ve played against?
I was on the end of one of the most brutal and vicious spells of fast bowling playing for Toombul in Brisbane 1st grade vs Sandgate Redcliffe. Brendan Buckley bowled like the wind, we were 5-5 at one stage
Who is the best spinner you’ve played against?
Murray Bennett from NSW and St George – he had amazing drift
Who are the next two batsmen to make their debut for the Queensland Bulls in Shield cricket?
Corey Hunter from Wynnum and Jack Clayton from University
Both have had a couple of fantastic years and deserve an opportunity if a position becomes available but there are a few there at the moment
Who are the two opponents in Queensland Cricket you admire most in terms of skills and competitive spirit?
Most that I played against especially Eastern Suburbs and then Sandgate Redcliffe were always up for the challenge against Toombul!!
Craig Jesberg from Easts was an amazing competitor and his single handed performance in the Final in 89-90 still gives me nightmares
Brett Henschell from Valley – he was always up for a contest with either bat or ball and he always tried to take control
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Been lucky enough to have 2 that really stand out
1. Making 157 in a 1st grade semi final after we were 7-70 to make a grand final and win the premiership
2. Scoring 228no in 1st grade vs Valley and being on the field for the entire match
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
1st Grade grand final 1990-91 beating Eastern Suburbs. They had given us a hiding 2 seasons earlier and this team had 4 of the QLD shield side top 7 in their top 6 – Toombul had not won a premiership for 37 years and the pure delight on the faces of some club stalwarts was something I will never forget
The first international win by an Australian over 50s side in Nelson NZ – Feb 2018
What is your most treasured possession?
My Family but if you are looking for something a bit more on a sentimental level – my cricket cap collection, so many great memories under each one
What are the three things you’re looking forward to doing outside cricket?
1. Spending great times with good mates near the water and sand
2. Do a bit of Travel, Australia first (might be the only option in the current climate)
3. Spend time with the family and their families if and when that happens.
