Greg Blewett Looks Back On Memorable Career

While it’s been 18 years since his last First Class game, cricket is still keeping Greg Blewett busy.

Each summer, you can hear him on commentary across Channel 7 and Triple M, as well as a regular radio show on Triple M Adelaide during the week. And now his eldest son, who is nine, is in his first year of cricket, where Greg helps out at training as well as games.

“He plays every Sunday morning, and I can't wait for it, I absolutely love it, being out amongst the little tackers”, says Greg.

As his son begins his cricket journey, his dad is well equipped with lessons learned from 15 years of professional cricket, including 46 Tests for Australia.

“Cricket’s a hard game. Over a long period of time, you have a lot of ups and downs, so I think that's the main thing I learnt, try and ride the times where you weren't playing well or the team wasn’t going that well, and hopefully knowing there was some good times around the corner,” says Greg.

“That’s the same as an individual player as well, there were times you were out of form, I quickly learnt it wasn't the best thing to get too down on myself. But also likewise, when you’re flying, don't go overboard and think you have the game mastered. The great game of cricket has taught me to have a pretty even feel I suppose.”

Along with the lessons learned, there are also the great friendships you make along the way.

The ACA Masters Tour provides past players with an opportunity to renew these friendships in a setting that helps promote the game in Australia’s regional areas.

Greg has featured in the ACA Masters Tour on several occasions, but is unfortunately unable to squeeze in another appearance due to his work commitments.

“I miss them actually,” he says.

“To go away to the regional areas and help promote the game, play a bit of cricket, and reconnect with some teammates and players I used to play against were great times.

“I loved it and I miss it, if I can somehow find another way of getting another trip, I’d love to do it”.

And Greg has advice for any ACA members considering taking part in a Masters Tour.

“Do it! If you’ve got the time, or you work and you can get a couple days off, it’s worthwhile, it’s good fun, it’s reconnecting with people, so try and make the effort if you can”.

Looking back on a memorable career

While there’s plenty to keep Greg’s mind on today’s game, when he looks back on his career, he has some incredible memories.

While a test debut is always special, Greg might have one of the more special among them – an Ashes Test at his home-ground, the Adelaide Oval. On top of this, Blewett went on to make a hundred.

Recalling the debut, Greg said the only down part was that they actually lost the game.

“If we had have pinched it, it would have been absolutely perfect, but that aside, it was a surprise in the first place to get the call up, obviously it being an ashes series, then being at home in front of family and friends, and the weather was brilliant”.

Following that series, one of Blewett’s most memorable moments was beating the West Indies at home – the first time the West Indies had lost a test series, and the #1 Test ranking for 15 years. Greg feels it was a changing of the guard sort of moment, and from there Australia has been a dominant test nation.

When asked about a favourite teammate, Greg’s immediate response is “geez, that’s a tough one”.

But there are two guys who stand out.

“If we were in a bit of trouble, Mark Taylor would go Glenn you’re that end, Shane you’re that end, and inevitably they’d get us back in the game, so those two guys were pretty good to play with”.

Glenn McGrath, and Shane Warne.