A NEW FRONTIER

Former Australian fast bowler and UQCC life member Michael Kasprowicz has enjoyed a long relationship with India – both as a player and as a business consultant – and is looking forward to sharing his knowledge with the UQ players as they prepare for the tour.

The UQ alum (Graduate Certificate Executive Leadership ’10, Graduate Diploma Business Administration ’13, Master of Business Administration ’14) is a former board member of the Australian India Business Council and the founder of Venture India, a consultancy firm that facilitates Australian and Indian business relationships with a focus on education, agriculture and mining, energy and resources.

He is also an Advisory Council member of Opportunity International, a not-for-profit charity that partners with micro-finance charities in India and South East Asia.

“I’ve been helping people and businesses to navigate India for years, and a theme I often associate with India is ‘contrast’,” Kasprowicz said.

“There are 28 states and 8 territories in India, and no 2 cities are the same. There are multiple languages and varying cultures, and industries change from region to region.

“That contrast will be mirrored on the cricket field as well, and the players will find that the pitches, weather conditions and opponents will be so different in each tour match.”

Kasprowicz played 38 Tests for Australia between 1996 and 2006, taking 113 wickets at an average of 32.88. He also took 67 wickets in 43 one-day internationals (ODIs).

The big Queenslander toured India 3 times as a Test player (1998, 2001 and 2004) and is one of a handful of Australian players with fond on-field memories. In 1998, he set up Australia’s first Test win in India for 29 years, claiming 5-28 with some brilliant reverse swing bowling in the third Test in Bangalore.

Kasprowicz was also part of the 2004 touring side that won Australia’s only Test series in India since 1969.

“Part of the reason I had success in India was because I learnt to adapt and adjust my skills to the dry, dusty conditions,” he said.

“As a fast bowler, there's not much in it for you because there's not a lot of grass on the pitch. I learnt to adapt my line and length, keep the rough side of the ball bone dry to help create some reverse swing, and adjust my field placements.

“Adjusting to the conditions is a vital skill for any good cricketer and this tour will be a great test for our UQ players.

“They will find a lot of variation on the different pitches – there will be a lot more turn for the spin bowlers, while the ball is likely to keep low for the fast bowlers.

“Spending more time in the middle against different oppositions and in different conditions is the best way to learn.”

With Australia’s recent World Cup victory in India still fresh in his mind, Churchward said he can’t wait to spend time at the crease and test himself against international competition.

“In a way, we know what we're going to get based on what we've seen on TV during the World Cup and past Test series,” Churchward said.

“We’re going to get pitches that look like dust bowls and that spin a heap. But on the other hand, we've never actually batted there, so we've got no idea what it will be like.

Adapting to conditions and different team dynamics has become second nature to Churchward, who moved from his childhood home in Cairns to UQ in 2022.

The 20-year-old took time off from university in 2023 to travel and play cricket in England, where he joined Uphill Castle Cricket Club in Somerset, leading his side a historic Twenty20 premiership with an unbeaten 99 not-out.

“It was such a different experience playing on softer wickets and in conditions where the ball seamed around a bit more,” Churchward said.

“As a batsman, you have to be more patient when driving on the up as opposed to the bouncier, harder decks in Brisbane, where you can trust the bounce more.

“I scored more runs square of the wicket because it was easier to play off the back foot.

“I also developed my batting against spin bowling in England as it was easier to play over the top with the 'tennis ball'-like bounce that the spinners created.”

In his first season with UQ, Churchward batted at number 6 for Second Grade and was part of the one-day premiership-winning side.

He has pushed his way up the order for Second Grade this season and is opening the batting – his preferred position.

“We have so many quality players that it’s hard to fit everyone in the team,” Churchward said.

UQCC was established in 1912 and has been a dominant club in the Queensland Premier Cricket competition, winning 14 grade titles.

Kasprowicz, who played his first game for the club in 1989, is one of 6 UQ players to have represented Australia in Test cricket and is part of a long list of Queensland state representatives, including Andrew Courtice, Geoff Foley, Peter Forrest, Chris Hartley, Paul Jackson, Martin Love, Wade Seccombe, Cecil Thompson, Jessica Jonassen and Holly Ferling. John Buchanan had a successful career as Australian and Queensland coach.

“I loved my cricket up in Cairns, but I identified that if I wanted to make it anywhere in the game, I had to make the trek to Brisbane. And so that's why I chose to come to UQ,” Churchward said.

“I've heard so much about the history of the club and the great players and historic wins over the years. I hope to be involved in many wins to come.”

UQ Cricket Club Finals Lunch

UQ Cricket Club members, alumni and supporters are invited to celebrate the 2023–24 season with a Finals Lunch on Thursday 7 March from 12pm, at the Regatta Hotel Boatshed.

The lunch is also a way to celebrate and support the UQCC’s upcoming tour to India, the first international tour in 30 years.

Guest speakers include former Australian cricketer and UQCC life member Michael Kasprowicz and UQ Chancellor Peter Varghese AO.

Tickets are available for $120 pp, or $1,100 for a table of 10, and includes a 2-course meal and drinks.