Geelong young gun Oliver Peake makes crucial 49 against Pakistan in under-19 World Cup semi-final
The legendary father of Geelong’s most promising junior cricketer has revealed some of the secrets behind his son’s success so far.
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Being named as an emergency for an underage World Cup team would be the dream of most junior cricketers across the country, even if it was a non-travelling role.
However, for Geelong young gun Oliver Peake, it was something of a dagger blow which only made him more determined to one day achieve his dreams of donning a baggy green for Australia.
Fortunately, the 17-year-old prodigy, who compiled his first Premier grade ton for Geelong before Christmas, would be called over to South Africa for the under-19 World Cup following a hand injury to a fellow squad member.
Peake’s proud father Clinton, who was a run machine for South Barwon and Geelong during his younger years, said his son had been far from satisfied with just making the squad.
“He was quite genuinely devastated, he wasn’t excited to be recognised, he wants to play,” Clinton said.
“He’s quite polite and able to make nice, but deep down it’s a little bit of the burn in the pit of the stomach to fuel the fire to train harder to turn nearly into actually playing.”
And the younger Peake, who dedicates 10 months a year to the sport, would give selectors plenty to mull over as he contributed an unbeaten 25 off 28 balls against England in his first foray at the tournament on January 31.
While Oliver had been enchanted by the painted logos on the ground, the music playing at venues – essentially the entire show of international cricket – all that pomp and pageantry eventually finally gave way to his customary steely determination and desire to perform.
“All of that was new and exciting,” Clinton said of his son’s first experience at an international level.
“But by day three of being there, that turns into the competitive: ‘I’m here and I want to play, and I don’t just want to attend play, I want to contribute and what do I need to do that?’”
So on Friday morning Australian time, Oliver would produce his finest knock yet at the level, a crucial 49 off 75 rocks against Pakistan in a winning semi-final in Benoni, coming in at number six.
With mum Sarah over in South Africa to support her son, Clinton says he is usually the more relaxed watcher of the two — younger brother Charlie was also up late on the family couch.
“There’s a horde of Geelong people that are following fairly closely,” he said.
“She’s at times unable to watch.
“For me, one of the things about Oliver is he’s very dependable, predictable, so I find watching OK.”
Speaking of local support, Clinton says Oliver has benefited from a long list of coaches, mentors and “good thinkers of the game”, including Geelong senior coach Nick Speak and Cricket Victoria youth mentor Tom Evans.
“He basically knows what I think but he thinks for himself,” Clinton said.
However, Clinton can take a share of the pride in his son’s “incredible work ethic”.
“We’ve had football days where he’s played a game of footy, had a shower, had some lunch, and sidled up to me with: “Any chance of a net?”
“The drive comes from within.
“The main thing that Sarah and I have tried to do is when he asks, we try and find a way to say yes.
“He’s got an incredible work ethic, he does the work, he would hit as many balls as anyone else.
“He gives himself the best chance of performance, whether that’s special or whether that’s diligence, is probably in the eye of the beholder.”
Clinton said his son was “intrinsically driven”, a “competitive animal” who has a reliable method when his team is in trouble — an ability to “drop anchor”.
That came to the fore against Pakistan with Australia wobbling at 4-59 at one stage.
Clinton said the entire family was proud of Oliver’s achievements so far, both as a player and a young man dealing with the growing weight of expectation.
“There’s a fair bit to be proud about,” he said.
“He drops anchor when others miss out.
“He doesn’t just ride coat-tails, he does stand up in finals typically.
“It never works out all of the time, but he does give himself the best chance and when the moment comes, generally speaking, you’ve either got to do something pretty special or get some help from the umpires to get him out.
“We’re very much like barrackers or supporters like everyone else.”
Away from cricket, Clinton says his son is an “empath” and a loyal friend.
“He does invest in his friendship group,” he said.
“He doesn’t change and his mates from footy ... will be his mates until he’s 60.
“Whether he’s up or whether he’s down, it won’t change his relationships at all.”
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