Brent ‘Rexy’ Kremer claims Sub-District Cricket wicketkeeping record
Croydon wicketkeeper Brent ‘Rexy’ Kremer has gone out on a high, announcing his retirement after he claimed the VSDCA record for the most number of dismissals.
Local Sport
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A diving catch down the leg-side gave Croydon wicketkeeper Brent ‘Rexy’ Kremer the all-time VSDCA record.
Kremer, 49, announced his retirement on Sunday after reaching the milestone, which had been a month in the making after consecutive washouts.
He had been stranded on 529 dismissals since October 12 when he equalled the record set by Balwyn’s Keith James, who played between 1958-59 and 1980-81.
Another seven catches across two one-day fixtures over the weekend took Kremer to 536 dismissals in more than 250 games since joining the club in the late 1990s.
Kremer lunged down the leg-side to remove Kalhan Sineth on Saturday as the Noble Park opener attempted to glance one to fine leg off a Hamish Paterson delivery.
A press-shy Kremer, who has broken his right thumb seven times, said he would now join his son, Ryan, 13, in the Fourth XI.
Ryan, also a wicketkeeper, made his senior debut last month against Malvern.
Kremer said he would stand at first slip and help teach Ryan the trade.
“It will be great playing with my son,” Kremer said.
“That will be a highlight to watch him improve.”
Kremer was flooded with congratulatory comments on social media following his retirement.
Teammates and supporters were quick to highlight his outstanding contribution to Croydon Cricket Club and the legacy he has left behind.
“His team-first attitude, guidance, humility and high work ethic were on show every time he took to the field,” Croydon committee member Paul Bullen said.
“His commitment every time he trained and played to not only maintain such high standards over a long period to continually improve his craft was outstanding.”
Kremer was sent out on a high following victories over Noble Park and Yarraville in back-to-back one-day games over the weekend.
He said the friendships he had forged over his career was the highlight.
Kremer played in eight consecutive premierships at Coldstream before he joined Croydon.
The Cockies had been attempting to lure him from the Yarra Valley competition for years, he said.
“I couldn’t leave Coldstream until we lost I suppose,” he said.
“I didn’t get to Croydon until I was 27.
“The body’s telling me (that it’s time to retire). I’m feeling it after two days of cricket but it was great to finish with two great wins.”
Kremer said he would trade the wicketkeeping record for a VSDCA flag.
“I’m not one for these accolades, I’m more about the team,” he said.
“It (record) doesn’t mean that much at the moment but it might in a few years.
“I’m just looking forward to going down the grades and helping the kids and getting them ready to play higher and playing a few years with my son. I’ll go down the lower grades and help out the kids.”
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Kremer anointed Max Bradley, 17, as the person to take his place.
Bradley has scores of 110, 45 and 68 this season and is the leading runscorer in the Second XI with an aggregate of 238.
Kremer said Bradley was “ready to go”.
“It’s time to stand aside,” he said.
“Max has a big future.”
Quizzed as to the keys to his success, Kremer replied: “Hard work. Definitely hard work.
“I love the art of wicketkeeping. You’ve got to love it.”