Gregory Shipperd is a renowned former cricket player and esteemed coach from Australia. Born on October 13, 1957, he had an illustrious career as a right-hand top-order batsman in the late 1970s and 1980s.
Shipperd began his cricket journey in the strong Western Australia team, where he played from 1976 to 1988. Known for his slow-scoring and difficult-to-dismiss batting style, he gained a reputation as a player who could hang around at the crease without getting out. Despite his low-scoring approach, Shipperd played a vital role in Western Australia’s triumph in the Sheffield Shield in the 1980-81 season. In the decisive match against Queensland, he showcased his skills with a splendid knock of 140.
In addition to his domestic success, Shipperd also represented Australia in two rebel tours of South Africa. During these unofficial tests, he contributed significantly with scores of 59 and 53 in separate matches.
Shipperd switched teams in 1988-89 and joined Tasmania, where he played predominantly as an opener. His immovability at the crease reached its pinnacle in the 1989-90 season when he crafted an unbeaten double century, scoring 200 runs from 571 deliveries in a massive 708-minute innings at the WACA.
Notably, Shipperd holds the record for the slowest first-class century by an Australian. In a match against Victoria at Launceston, it took him a staggering 481 minutes to reach the milestone. His resilience during the innings earned him the nickname “The Human Mattress” from teammate Merv Hughes, reflecting the numerous body hits he endured.
Following his retirement as a player, Shipperd transitioned seamlessly into coaching. He assumed the role of Tasmania’s coach in 1991 and served in this capacity for 11 seasons. Under his skilled guidance, Tasmania reached the Sheffield Shield final on three occasions, in 1993-94, 1997-98, and 2001-02. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to secure the title.
In 2002, Shipperd joined Victoria as an assistant coach under David Hookes. Tragically, after Hookes’s unfortunate passing in January 2004, Shipperd assumed the head coaching position. Just two months later, he led Victoria to their first Pura Cup title in over a decade, highlighting his meticulous planning and strong rapport with the players.
Shipperd’s success continued as he guided Victoria to the final again in the 2005-06 season, showcasing his tactical nous and expertise in the game.
Throughout his career, Shipperd displayed an unwavering dedication to the sport and earned the respect and admiration of his peers and players. His commitment to the game and his ability to adapt to new roles make him an inspiring figure in Australian cricket.
Gregory Shipperd is a cricket legend who excelled as a player and coach. His slow-scoring batting style and his role in Western Australia and Tasmania teams will forever be remembered. Shipperd’s coaching achievements with Tasmania and Victoria solidify his legacy as one of Australia’s greatest contributors to the sport.