A lifetime of commitment to cricket and community

COUNTRY Victoria has produced some excellent cricketers a Herald Sun report stated in a recent review entitled the Best Country Cricketers since 2000.

Wonthaggi didn’t make the list once but three times with one of the best one-day all-rounders, Ian Harvey featuring at number four and our very own Ryan Thomas, Gavin Britt and Peter Dell also making the cut.

Nerrena’s Tim Wightman also made the list for Leongatha alongside Amila Ratnaike and Sahan Perera.

For Wonthaggi born Peter Dell, his statistics to the end of 2021/22 are pretty impressive, especially considering they only apply from his time at Outtrim Moyarra Kongwak (OMK), his stats from the earlier days at the Workmen’s requiring a little more digging through the archives.

A life member of OMK and committee member for 20 plus years, Peter has 400 games, six years senior coach, four years Captain of A Grade, two years Captain of B Grade, four best club person awards, four most dedicated awards, three A Grade premierships, one A Grade T20 premiership, 1 B Grade premiership, four LDCA A Grade Bowling average awards, 14 OMK A Grade Bowling average awards, one LDCA B Grade Bowling Average award, one LDCA B Grade cricketer of the year award, five OMK A Grade cricketer of the year awards, one OMK B Grade cricketer of the year award and two LDCA umpires awards to his name, whilst being a member of LDCA best side 1994-2019, a member of LDCA Gippsland Cricket League Premiership 1994-95 and member of LDCA Melbourne Country Week Div. 4 winning side.

A bowler, Peter has 5062 overs and 1442 maidens to his name in A grade with 753 wickets at an average of 15.7 and best bowling of 7/75 with three hat tricks and five wickets in an innings – 22 times.

But how did it all start for the tight bowling veteran paceman.

“It was the 83/84 season,” Peter recalled.

“I went and watched my brother play the U16s; they were short, so I ended up playing. I remember I made 10 not out the first game. I played the rest of the year pretty much. I was 10 years old.

“That year we won the premiership and I think we won the next five.”

Peter continued for 10 years before moving in 93/94 to Leongatha & District Cricket Association.

“Leongatha was always the stronger league and I wanted to play district cricket. The plan was to go there for the season and then to Melbourne.

“The following year I went to Northcote Cricket Club. I did enjoy it, but it was totally different cricket. It was all about people wanting to get further and further up the tree and there was no post game atmosphere – they had their water and went home.

“I had a slight injury at the time that made it hard and travelling to and from Melbourne (from Wonthaggi). I loved the cricket because it was a higher standard, but I didn’t enjoy everything else that went with it.

“Plus, I was probably at the wrong club, I was a bowler and the club had four or five bowlers in the state squad.

“I came back and have been at OMK ever since…”

Home before Christmas for the 94/95 season, Peter jumped back into local district cricket.

Once an all-rounder, today he is coach and bowler.

“I enjoy coaching – I look at a club level but go one-on-one. I find it easier than talking to everyone at the same time.

“I love playing with mates, the teamwork, and we get on really well with the opposition.

“My most memorable game would be the A Grade Grand Final 2012/13 – we won on the last ball. 180 overs…”

As for Peter’s best game.

“It would have to be back at the Workmen’s Club against Kilcunda Bass. I took five wickets in the first innings and eight in the second.”

An avid cricketer, Peter is also known locally, amongst the footy clubs having played for Wonthaggi Blues, Bena and Korumburra-Bena and Wonthaggi Golf Club, not to mention Wonthaggi Fire Brigade where he has held Captain and Lieutenant roles.

“I joined as a junior – I was 13 or 14. My brother (Andrew) joined, and dad re-joined because he was driving Andrew to the station, then mum got roped into it.

“All because the bloke across the road (a life member) was part of the brigade.”

Over 35 years of service, Peter has held multiple roles in the brigade.

“I love helping the community – my speciality has changed over the years from bushfires (when I didn’t have as many skills) to structure. Now I am more interested in Hazmat and Safety, and behind the scenes organisation with Bass Coast Group.

“I remember driving down the main highway for the Black Christmas fires, 30 trucks in convoy with a police escort – cars lining the highway tooting their horns.”

A team player, Peter is looking forward to the remainder of the season.

“Seeing the improvement in our younger players. Last year we finished last, this year we are pushing towards the finals berth.

“Into the future, personally playing in the Over 50s – that is once I stop playing A Grade cricket. There is probably more of a scope to play representative cricket there…”

OMK are always open to new players with a family orientated atmosphere and combination of players having 200, 300 and 400 games individually under their belts.

The club will also be back with their Pink Stumps Day event, which last year raised over $70,000 for the McGrath Foundation. Often selling out before tickets go on sale, this year’s event will be on

February 18 with a waitlist also available. For more information visit the OMK Cricket Club Pink Stumps Day Facebook page.