Craig Van Der Vlag - A country cricketer from the South East who was always playing either cricket, football or basketball and represented Millicent against the might of the Mt Gambier cricket association (Peter Sleep territory).
Loved to bowl sharpish in his early years and always wanted to hit bombs until he learnt how to hold the bat later in life. Vanders as he is known as will no doubt add some bite to the City Stingers.
My Cricket Pathway:
Born in 1972 in the South East, is one of the younger players and now qualifies for selection in for Nationals. He is a bowling allrounder who plays with a lot of passion once he crosses the white line. He bowls a good line and length, and as a batsman can hang around with a good pair of hands and brilliant in the field.
Premiership for Modbury in the ATCA
A late starter played some U14 cricket for Mt Burr, and played his first real competitive cricket in 1988 in year 11 playing for Millicent High school.
“I got a few wickets and probably got a duck.” Vanders laughed.
1988-93 Millicent Footballers CC,
1993-2013 with a few years away in the middle played at Prospect in the SACA competition, reaching B grade level and also played at Tea Tree Gully.
Played around 90 games each at Modbury and Hope Valley and now Adelaide University O50’s
Has over 500 wickets in the bank.
Third at the Pan Pacific Master Games - 2018
My Greatest Cricket Achievements:
One of most memorable cricketing achievements winning my first District Premiership in early 90s with Prospect, while scoring a century for Hope Valley in a win for the C grade team sits right at eh top. In 1995-96 season I played with Club legend Jack Leske to help win the D Grade District Final.
My highest score was 104 for Hope Valley at St Pauls while Vanders also remembers the day where he took 7/77 for C grade for Prospect v Southern at Christies Beach High.
Name the legends in this team photo!
Idols, Oval & Inspiration:
As Vanders considers himself a bowler who can bat a little his childhood idol was Steve Waugh, while he loved listening to Bill Lawry on the TV. We are sure that he also loved the 12th Man series compiled by Billy Birmingham.
Woodville Oval was always a great deck, but always good to play at Park 25 #1 oval.
Best players
Chris Underwood (not fast but awesome with the ball) He taught me how to use my wrist position when bowling. Chris was a great allrounder for Prospect and he made it look easy. While Grant Carey (Gooney) bowled the best wrongun I have seen. I could never pick it!
Vanders admired Lou Vincent (NZ International) and former Prospect player was the best player he admired most, but sadly has lost his way now.
The best captain I have played under was Greg Faull in my time at Tea Tree Gully because he always led from the front. A great man who provided great direction on the field and led by example.
Golf, Red wine & a chat:
· Michael Jordan because he’s the GOAT
· Stephen Waugh because he’s my hero
· Richard Branson because he is amazing as a business person.
What could go wrong in the company of these 3 dead set legends
SAVCA & Veterans Cricket & Why
“I have been hanging out to officially qualify to play Over 50’s, having played for a few years as one of the young pups! This gave me the taste of Veterans cricket.
Now we have the SPL and can't wait to strut my stuff against the best. I love meeting like minded people passionate about the sport and enjoying a beer after each game. My advice to anyone would be do it as you will regret missing the opportunity” Commented Craig.
Comments