Meeting the mighty captains of our AIC First XI teams
Who were the AIC First XI cricket captains leading the charge this season? Here we present the mighty team leaders.
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It is a treasured and coveted role in any college - captaining your school’s First XI cricket team.
Here we meet seven captains from the AIC First XI competition, young sportsmen leading the way in their communities.
PADUA COLLEGE
BRAITHYN PECIC
Q. Your first memory of cricket?
A. My first memory of cricket was playing in the backyard with my brother and dad, and on Friday nights playing super sixers at Ferny Fireballs.
Q. Your first team, either club or school?
A. I started playing cricket at Ferny Fireballs playing with a few mates, and then later moved to Toombul to play in the Lord Taverners Competition.
Q. What did you enjoy about cricket?
A. I have been involved in the game ever since I could remember, I enjoy every aspect of it and enjoy playing with my teammates and new ones as well.
Q. Favourite player you have enjoyed watching growing up and why?
A. I loved watching Brad Haddin and Tim Paine play as all I wanted to do
was be a keeper, and that’s who I aspired to be like.
Q. Biggest influences of your cricket?
A. My biggest influence would have to be my dad, he played high level cricket when he was young and I just wanted to follow in his footsteps, he is always keen to do a net whenever I want to do one and loves the game as well.
Q.Your best (most rewarding) team moment and also individual moment of your career
so far?
A. My most rewarding moment would be being named Firsts Captain this year and making my international debut for Serbia last year, it shows that my hard work is paying off and shows that you can achieve your goals if you work hard enough.
Winning ECN Croatia was my best team achievement as many of the men I was playing with don’t play in the best conditions and train in the best conditions, they showed courage to win the competition and I think every team needs that.
Q. What it means to you to be given the honour of captaining the First XI.
A. It means the world to be captaining the First XI at Padua this year, ever since I came to Padua that was my one big goal to captain this team, it is an Honour and Privilege to do so and lead this very talented young team.
Q. Your club?
A. I play for Toombul Bulls now and have been playing there for just over 3 years.
QTeam and personal ambitions for the season and beyond?
A. I believe we have the team to win the premiership this year and I believe every player in our squad knows we have what it takes to win. The squad will learn a lot from
this season, and it is a great experience to be apart and for everyone’s cricketing journey.
VILLANOVA COLLEGE
TOM RIECK
Q.Your first memory of cricket?
A. First memories would have to be playing in the backyard with my dad and my brothers.
Q.Your first team, either club or school
A. Holland Park junior cricket club
Q.What you enjoyed about cricket
A. Always loved the camaraderie and mateship of the game, being bonded in success and failures, creating mates for life. I have 2 mates that I played with in my first ever cricket game who are in the First XI with me (Larry clark, Cameron Bukowski), just showing this is the case.
Q.Favourite player you have enjoyed watching growing up and why
A. Steve Smith, he is the batter everyone wishes they were, he gets the team out of trouble and delivers whenever needed. Furthermore, his work ethic and dedication to be the best is inspiring.
Q.Biggest influences of your cricket?
A. Has to be dad, was my first ever coach, made me fall in love with the game, and still manages to get out whenever he can and watch no matter when or where the game is. Also Dan Cummins at Redlands gave me an opportunity in the Lord Taverners side where I improved exponentially as a cricketer, and of course Nathan Dufty at Villanova has played a role in coaching me over a number of years, further helping me improve to be where I am today.
Q.Your best (most rewarding) team moment and also individual moment of your career?
A. Most rewarding team moment was winning the 10A premiership in 2021, captaining the side with 10 of my good mates and watching everyone find success throughout the season was one of my greatest cricketing experiences. Individually, in my second game of First XI in Year 10, hitting 30 not out of 16 was one of my greatest memories, proving myself in front of the older boys at the time and contributing to a First XI win is something I’ll never forget.
RELATED LINKS
AIC FIRST XI PLAYERS OF THE WEEK FROM ROUND 1
READ THE AIC ROUND 1 REPORT HERE
Q. What does it mean to you to be given the honour of captaining the First XI?
A. It’s a great honour and privilege, something I dreamt of since I was in grade 5, when I saw the First XI being presented I knew that I wanted that to one day be me. To be the captain as well means that much more, to be seen as the leader of such a talented and well-rounded group of young men is a very proud moment for me.
Q.Your club?
A. Redlands Tigers
Q. Team and personal ambitions for the season and beyond?
A. The main goal for the season as an individual and a team is to ensure that when we
leave the field every Saturday, we know we left everything out there and gave it our best
shot, win, lose or draw, and we will then let the results look after themselves.
ST PETERS LUTHERAN COLLEGE
MATT HARVIE
Q. Your first memory of cricket?
A. I’ve been playing cricket since I can remember however, my first memory of cricket exposure was playing milo cricket at my local club on Friday nights.
Q.What did you first enjoy about cricket?
A. The thing I’ve enjoyed most about cricket is the team environment and the opportunities it brings, such as travel and sports tours.
Q.Favourite player you have enjoyed watching growing up and why?
A. My favourite player I’ve enjoyed watching growing up was Kumar Sangakkara, as I always admired his cricket brain, and the elegance in which he played the game with.
Q. Biggest influences of your cricket?
A. The biggest influence on my cricket so far has been all the coaches I’ve had over the years and my dad.
Q. Your best (most rewarding) team moment and also individual moment of your career so far?
A. The most rewarding team moment in cricket so far for me has to be my first win as part of the St Peter’s First XI, in 2021. Individually, my most rewarding moment was taking 5fa against Padua on debut for the First XI in 2021, particularly as it was on our home ground, Mayor Oval.
Q.What does it mean to you to be given the honour of captaining the First XI?
A. It’s an honour to captain the First XI cricket team, and a privilege to lead such a good group of players. I’ve been playing cricket at St Peters for eight years, so to be finally captaining the First XI is surreal and an honour. But at the end of the day, what would be more rewarding would be the success of the team.
Q. Your club:A. I currently play for South Brisbane and have played there for most of my cricketing career.
Q.Team and personal ambitions for the season and beyond?
A. My main goal for the team is to stick to our mantra “Humble Hungry Smart”, over the past couple years our First XI coach Andy Richards, and our cricket co-ordinator Gary Munday have done an excellent job of instilling this motto into St Peters cricket. If we stick to this motto, I’m sure we will have a successful and rewarding season. Personally, I want to continue my cricket by playing grade at Souths and seeing where that takes me.
RELATED LINKS
AIC FIRST XI CRICKET PLAYERS TO WATCH
CLUB CRICKET’S A to Z OF HIGH ACHIEVERS
ST EDMUNDS COLLEGE
BEN NAISH
Q. Your first memory of cricket?
A. Definitely playing backyard cricket with family and friends when I was younger.
Q. Yourfirst team, either club or school? A. Central Districts
Q. What you enjoyed about cricket?
A. As individualised as cricket is, it really brings together a sense of friendship. Schoolboy cricket enables a chance to play a sport you love with some of your best mates and to make moments you will cherish forever.
Q.Your favourite player you have enjoyed watching growing up and why?
A. Pat Cummins, I loved seeing his progression as a fast bowler. The way he goes about his bowling is how every young bowler should aspire to go about theirs. His action, consistency and the way he gets through the crease is amazing to watch!
Q.Biggest influences of your cricket? A. Coaches and friends?
Q.Your best, most rewarding team moment and also individual moment of your career so far?
A. Making the State Championship Finals in Townsville for Met West, and getting player of the match was an experience I’ll never forget. Also scoring 70 not out and the winning runs to beat Ashgrove after taking five wickets is definitely my most rewarding cricketing moment.
Q.What does it mean to you to be given the honour of captaining the First XI?
A. Ever since I got to Eddies I have always wanted to captain the First XI. To be given the honour to captain this side is a privilege I will remember forever?
Q. Your club?A. Marburg Mt Crosby Thunder
Q. Team and personal ambitions for the season and beyond?
A. Winning a couple of games with the boys would definitely be a team ambition, setting an example for younger grades. And personally, reaching three figures (a century) would be amazing.
ST LAURENCE’S COLLEGE
MACKENZIE DOUGLAS
Q. What is your first memory of cricket?
A. My first memory of cricket was down at Souths cricket club. As dad was the secretary, I used to be down there almost every Saturday cheering on the first-grade boys with my great mate, Oliver Lunt (leading run scorer for two consecutive First XI seasons 2020-2021). I vividly remember meeting all the big names, Ben Cutting, Matt Renshaw, Ian Healy, and even receiving a signed match-worn Australian shirt by Cameron Boyce. This really ignited my passion for the game, and ever since I have both enjoyed watching and playing cricket.
Q.What did you first enjoy about cricket?
A. I enjoyed and still enjoy the aspect of mateship within cricket. My leadership has blossomed through my cricket journey as I have learnt how important working as a team is to accumulating wins. I believe it’s vital to have a positive team culture within the group, and school cricket makes it that much easier as you are playing with boys that you see on almost a daily basis.
Q.Your favourite player you have enjoyed watching growing up and why?
A. Growing up I enjoyed watching the likes of Mitchell Johnson, Dale Steyn, and Brett Lee. The sheer passion and fire they brought to the game excited me as a youngster, and although I am no fast bowler, I try to model their character in my own game.
Q.The biggest influences of your cricket?
A. The biggest influence of my cricketing journey is Laurie’s Old Boy, Dylan Brink. Dylan captained the First XI in 2016 (my first year at the school), and throughout this year, he came and trained with my team, nurtured me around the school grounds, and even gifted me his cap at the end of the season. This care and compassion that he displayed has made him my idol ever since, and it is my goal to continue his legacy and inspire many of the youngsters coming through the ranks.
Q.Your best (most rewarding) team moment and also individual moment of your career so far?
A. The best moment in my cricketing career was the first match of AIC First XI last year. Playing my uncle and cousins’ school, Padua, we were in for a tough run chase when the rain came and DLS controlled the score we were chasing. In trouble coming in at 4/40, myself and Xavier Santos dug in for a partnership over 100. Xavier lost his wicket late in the innings, which left me out there to get the job done in the final two overs. The most fulfilling moment in my career occurred when I hit a boundary to win the game on the third last ball of the innings. That feeling of accomplishment cemented a belief within myself that I was able to rise to the occasion, as previously, I was not such a confident player.
Q.What does it mean to you to be given the honour of captaining the First XI?
A. Coming through the grades here at Laurie’s, one goal has always been on the forefront of my mind. That goal being captaining the First XI. Now that I have been honoured with the position, I feel it is my responsibility to give the role my everything, ensuring that our side gets the most out of our season.
Q. What is your club?
A. I play at the University of Queensland Cricket Club, the club where my year 11 Biology teacher Scott Walter became the leading wicket taker in First grade history.
Q.Team and personal ambitions for the season and beyond?
A. I hope to instil positivity within our group and ensure everyone can reach their personal best in 2023. For myself, culture comes first, so if we can create a strong sense of togetherness. I believe we can achieve what we are capable of.
IONA COLLEGE
ZAYNE THOMAS
Q. Biggest influences of your cricket?
A. The influencers of my cricket have come from past and present cricket greats such as Ricky Ponting and Steve Smith and how they go out their business in batting.
Other influencers of my cricket would be my cricketing mates. Playing and training against your mates, especially if they got you out or smacked you around, would motivate me highly to train harder and to improve to try and get better. This healthy rivalry between my mates still continues to influence me to get better at cricket.
Q. Your best (most rewarding) team moment and also individual moment of your career so far?
A. My most rewarding team moment of my cricketing career so far would be winning the AIC first XI premiership in 2022. A lot of hard work was put in by the boys and we really worked hard for that flag, and it had shown. Another team moment would be winning the Oblate and Invitational Cup down in Melbourne last year in December for Iona.
My most rewarding individual moment of my cricketing career so far would be scoring my first century last year. It was in a Lord Taverners Trial match against Norths, and it was a chanceless hundred. Making it a chanceless 100 really gave me a good mental boost for the season as I knew I had the skill to make big scores, I just needed stronger mental fitness.
Footnote: Thomas responded to the above question before he scored a remarkable 252 not out last Saturday.
Q. What does it mean to you to be given the honour of captaining the First XI?
A. I am very honoured and excited be the First XI captain for Iona this year, standing alongside my cricketing mate, Lachlan Bragger as vice-captain who I have been playing cricket with for seven years or so now. Looking back from the past captains for Iona, it really makes me grateful that I will be added to the list of these names.
Q.Your club: A. Redlands CC
MARIST COLLEGE ASHGROVE
BEN FERGUSON
Q.Your first memory of cricket?
A. My first memory of cricket is playing Under 6’s Friday night cricket.
Q. Your first team?
A. My first team was a team of St Ambrose primary school friends playing for Valley under lights on a Friday night.
Q. What did you first enjoy about cricket?
A. I enjoyed the competition each week, playing with mates and joking about who would score the most runs or take the most wickets.
Q. Favourite player you have enjoyed watching growing up and why?
A. My favourite player growing up was Nathan Lyon. I’ve been watching Nathan since I was a little kid. I especially loved the end of any test match when every ball he bowled had you on the edge of your seat. The amount of turn he would get on old wickets would challenge the batsman every ball and this inspired me to begin my off-spin bowling journey.
Q. The biggest influence of your cricket?
A. My dad has been my biggest influence in my cricket as he has held me accountable rhrough inevitably tough periods. He sacrificed a lot to help me train and get me to where I am today.
Q. Your best and most rewarding team moment and individual moment?
A. During a Winter Warehouse season, our team was beaten outright in the very first round. We then came across the same team in the grand final and were able to beat them in a close game. This was definitely the most rewarding win I’ve experienced.
Q. What it means to be captain?
A. Captaining the Marist College First XI for me, is about representing all past players with the same pride and dignity they displayed while wearing the same baggy blue. I now have the opportunity to influence the younger generation of Marist cricketers coming through and setting an example. I have always looked up to the First XI cricketers since I was in Year 5 and made it my goal to be in the First XI one day.
Q. What is tour club?
A. My Club is Valley District Cricket Club
Q. What are your team and personal ambitions
A. After falling five runs short against St Patrick’s College in the premiership deciding
match last year, it’s definitely a team ambition to get our chance at redemption and
win the title this year. A personal ambition of mine will be to contribute equally this
season with bat and ball and set a high standard in the field.
ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE
Lachlan Allen
Q. Your first memory of cricket?
Watching with my Dad, it was the 2014-2015 test series against India.
Q. Your first team, either club or school?
Peninsula Cricket Club
Q. What did you enjoy about cricket?
Having a good time on the field with my mates.
Q. Favourite player you have enjoyed watching growing up and why?
Steve Smith
Q. Biggest influences of your cricket?
Dad
Q. Your best team moment and also individual moment of your career so far?
Winning the Opens age group and being leading run scorer of the association.
Q. What does it mean to you to be given the honour of captaining the First XI?
It means a lot. I have always wanted to.
Q. What is your team and personal ambitions for the season and beyond.
Team: Compete hard to the best of our abilities. Results will take care of themselves.
Individual: Lead the team to the best of my ability.
ROUND 3
Saturday:
Villanova v St Laurence’s College
St Edmund’s v Padua
Iona v Marist College Ashgrove
St Patrick’s College v St Peters
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