Mark Roskell - enjoy life
Belmont District Cricket Club | June 27, 2025
Mark Roskell is an experienced cricketer who has a passion for Belmont District Cricket Club. Mark continues to sit on the committee and provides invaluable experience to the younger generation
What year were you born?
1968.
Can you remember your first game of cricket? Do you remember how you went?
Under 10s played on matting. I retired at 25.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey. Where have you played, and which clubs have you played for?
Started playing for Caves Beach Primary School and Caves Beach Cricket Club from 10 to 13. I went to Belmont Cricket Club from 13 onwards, playing juniors. At 14, I played my first game of 5th grade and scored 106 not out. I played a full season of 5th grade, then played half a season of third grade and made my first grade debut at 15 against the university, batted 11 and put on 50 runs for the last wicket with Chris Williams.
At 16, I toured England, Wales, and Holland with the Newcastle and Northern regions cricket team. I had an extended career in first grade at Belmont spanning well over 10 years. During that time, I had a bad injury and had to give up cricket for a few years. I came back to playing C&S cricket with mates.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
5th grade and at 14 for Belmont.
What was the highest grade you played, and can you remember how you performed in your first game in that grade?
1st grade, 25 not out against University.
How would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Batsman, part-time bowler, bit of leg spin.
What were your strengths as a player?
Competitive nature and aggression.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
185 not out for Swansea Bowling Club at Pelican Oval.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
6-50 Belmont 3rd grade.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Cardigan Connor, deceptive pace and accuracy.
Paul Roshier, extremely fast and aggressive, pushed off the bike track at Townson.
Paul Wilson, very accurate.
Paul Wilson
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Robert "Dutchie" Holland, Hard to pick flipper.
Steve Storey, good arm ball.
Mark Curry, very accurate.
Robert Holland
Who were the best 3 batters you’ve played against?
Greg Geise, had a variety of strokes.
Mark Curry, an outstanding talent, was hard to get out.
Tony Fort, also hard to get out.
Mark Curry
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Greg Geise came to the wicket with his team under pressure chasing a large score near 400, scored 100, a faultless century, but it still wasn't enough for his team to win.
Was there any bowler or batter in particular who, for whatever reason, always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Robert Holland. couldn't pick his flipper or wrong’ un
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to in grade cricket?
I was fielding in second slip when Chris Killen was bowling, scarily fast. I was scared at second slip.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Kerry Thompson.
Who are the two players you admire most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Russel Neal and Gary Gilmour.
Garry Gilmour
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Chris Williams was a very good leader and tactically brilliant.
Who has been your funniest teammate?
Craig Hamilton.
The Belmont Hotel is a proud sponsor of the Belmont District Cricket Club
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
Allan Sharp at third slip was telling the short leg to back away because the batsman was backing away that much; he was going to get stood on when Chris Killen was bowling.
Who was your childhood hero?
Viv Richards.
Who are the three sportspeople in the world you’d most like to meet?
Don Bradman, Shane Warne, and Andrew Flintoff.
Andrew Flintoff
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Cahill Oval.
What particular team did you especially look forward to playing against?
Charlestown, always a very hard-fought match.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Meeting the West Indies cricket team at the Lord's.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Belmont vs Wallsend first grade, we scored 400, they had 2 centurions in the chase, and we still won the game.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Chris Killen, Russel Neal, Dave Ireland.
What are your hobbies?
Walking the dogs on the beach and gardening.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Enjoy life, you're not here for a long time.
Are you still involved in cricket, and if so, in what capacity?
Yes, on the Belmont cricket club committee.
If you were running a state cricket association, what would your 2 priorities be to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and off the field?
Increase the exposure of cricket to young kids to increase the participation via school programmes and reduce the focus on the short format game to the longer formats.
BeaconPoint Club Clips - Phil Jaques on Batting: Mindset, Method and Making Runs
