Jason Lane - respect those that have come before you
Tootgarook Cricket Club | May 15, 2023
Apart from two season at Dandenong Cricket Club Jason Lane has played all his junior and senior cricket in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association.
He is a Life Member at Tootgarook Cricket Club so let’s find out more about Jason’s journey in the game.
What year you were born?
1971
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
Eight years old, playing under 14s for Sorrento.
I think I made one. Remember being scared witless after getting hit on the toe, and came back out wearing an ugg boot.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Played at Sorrento for my junior years. Went to Dandenong CC as a sixteen year old for two seasons.
Then returned and played for Rye. Left Rye in 1996 to Coach Tootgarook CC and have been there ever since apart from two seasons at Flinders when a mate Darrin Long who was coaching the club.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
Started senior cricket at Sorrento in the 2nds when I was 14 or 15.
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?
Highest grade was 1st XI for Dandenong at 18. Felt completely out of my depth but lucky enough to be able to play with the great Desmond Haynes (West Indies).
Took a couple of slips catches and made 22 runs.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Like many, was a self-confessed all-rounder through juniors, but was generally a top order bat and slip fielder that morphed into a wicketkeeper.
What were your strengths as a player?
Always thought I had good reflexes and hands behind the wicket. A capable bat but will more than likely be remembered as a bit “lippy” on the field. Always had some fierce battles with opponents.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
Highest score was 229 for Tootgarook 2nds vs a “not at full strength” Pearcedale team.
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Not real clear memories as a bowler but have taken a five for in the firsts bowling left arm orthodox rubbish.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Hard to narrow this down to three as some of the best I’ve seen I played with, not against.
Terry Doyle I played when he was in his prime. Almost unplayable and quick!
Steph Cottrell - quick and if he didn’t get you out, his brother wow, would be trying to knock you out.
Barry McCormack - completely nuts and probably quickest I’ve seen in MPCA.
Craig Whelan- played with him when he first came into the MPCA at Rye. Was rapid left armwho bowled more blokes than anyone I’ve seen. Matchwinner!
Rob Walton from Dandenong was a huge unit, quick, and tried to kill me at my first ever session at Dandenong. Scary initiation!
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Two blokes stand out - Ken Broughill and Gary Martin. Both never gave an inch, and bowled to their field. Hard to get away.
John Lillico - still as an older fella was an excellent leggie who turned it and then drank you under the table after the game.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Played a couple of “flamos” against Rob Bedford - just amazing.
Graham Yallop was a standout when he was at Pines. Made an effortless century against us with a strong attack.
Shane Beggs - his record speaks for itself and he made runs it seems every time I played against him.
Gary Cooper - completely in charge every time he batted. High class!
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Probably two standouts. Alan Foster for Tootgarook against us at Rye. Made 97 well before tea, and just smashed the ball everywhere.
Greg McCann for Mornington Diggers made 167 and didn’t miss hit a shot all day.
Special mention to Stella Jackson who one year at Mt Eliza played in a round robin six a side comp.
We heard all the Pines boys cracking up whilst Stellar was pounding sixes and fours everywhere! When we asked what was so funny they said he was batting opposite hand - freakish!
Was there any bowler in particular who for whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
Wow, that would be a long list, but a couple that come to mind are left armer from Long Island Paul D’Agostino and Moorooduc quick Glen Patterson.
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to?
Definitely my first net session at Dandenong when Rob Walton was intent on shortening my career.
Also a practice match innings at Sorrento when I was 15 and opened up against Graeme Young - out of my depth then for sure.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
I’d probably have to say Brad Glenn, although Grant Hitchener was also a very good glove man.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Purely in terms of skills, in no particular order, I always rated guys like Brendan Long, Paul Bradley, Rob Bedford, Craig OBrien, Jim Boyd, Joey Lane and I could easily keep going!
From my own teammates, Rob Abschinski, Ash Rickard, and more recently, Trav French, Matt Whelan and Scotty Sterling.
Competitive spirit - Craig Whelan by the length of the Flemington straight!
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Always respected Ross Bailey (Rye) as a Captain.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
The late, great Ray Shepherd (Rye). Would come up with nicknames for everyone during a game of cricket. It’s hard fielding with tears in your eyes.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
I remember Craig Whelan walking off with Gareth Wyatt one day after dismissing him. The exchange is probably not printable then he had to get back to bowl his next ball.
A favourite of my own. I was playing against Moorooduc one arvo, and a rather “unfit” Homer McCann piped up when I walked out to bat.
“Laney, where’s your helmet”, he asked. My reply was “ looks like you’ve got it under your shirt”!
Who was your childhood hero?
Probably David Hookes or Keith Greig (North Melbourne)
Keith Greig
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Not fussed to be honest. Any of them that take the time to treat you like you aren’t below them.
All professional sports people would be great to cross paths with and chat to.
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Ricky Ponting, David Lloyd or Billy Birmingham
Billy Birmingham
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Have been lucky to play on some amazing cricket grounds in one off games but my favourite would have been Rye around the time of the Rye gift. Was like a bowling green.
Main Ridge is just a cracker of a ground and a great layout!
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Definitely playing with my son and seeing his maiden 100. Having been a long time junior coach - seeing any young cricketer you’ve coached achieve anything special in either cricket, and life is special.
Jason and his son caelin
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
A two or three run win in a semi against Main Ridge or a game against Rye (for Tootgarook) where Gary Cooper was winning the game off his own bat until snapping an Achilles. We then took 8 for about 30 to get home in a tight one.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Ray Shepherd and my little brother Adryan Lane (both sadly deceased) and my great mate Tony Clayton
What are your hobbies?
Golf, cards, travelling, punting and catching up with anyone for a refreshment.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Respect those that have come before you, in life and in sport.
What’s your occupation?
Own business - Mornington Peninsula Retaining Walls & Fences
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?
Of course keeping junior cricket pathways as a priority is hugely important.
Continuing where possible to play all forms of cricket, both short and longer forms. Being a traditionalist I fear that the longer form of the game is becoming a bit of an afterthought.
