Peter George told Australian Missionary News IPTV anchorman Mark Tronson that he grew up in the Adelaide suburb of Flinders Park, which is about half way from the city to the beach, and their house was opposite the Torrens River.
He had three older brothers who were all sport mad. His parents Rob and Gail were PE teachers and met while at Teachers College (they have since been Open Air Campaigner Missionaries for over 30 years). The eldest brother played Football (Australian Rules) for the local Torrens Club as did his third brother, while the second played for Australia in both Ice Hockey and Inline Hockey.
Peter George, who is very tall and lanky, explained that, like many Australian boys, his cricket career began in the front yard with his brothers. He played cricket throughout primary school, then the sport took on a more serious bent for him when he joined the Under 13 West Torrens Club.
His talent as 'a quick' was noticed. At aged eighteen, he gained his first state cap when, in 2003, he was selected out of a field of 30 contenders to travel to Melbourne with the South Australian Under 19 state team.
Peter George said that this was the first occasion that he came under national scrutiny and was selected for the Australian Under 18 training squad and at the same time received a 'rooky' Redbacks contract (Redbacks is the name of the South Australian cricket team).
His career rose exponentially. He played two games for the Redbacks, was 12th man for the following two, and hasn't been out of the side since. Then in 2010 he was called into the Australian team in New Zealand to cover for Ryan Harris.
Peter, now 24, has been married to Susie for three years. They were at school together (Temple Christian College, Mile End), they seriously courted for three years and when they arrived home from their honeymoon, Peter received the phone call from Rod Marsh that he had earned a full contract with the Redbacks.
He explained that his cricket career took off as Susie became part of his life. Anchorman Mark Tronson commented that the Bible speaks of such partnerships, and Peter George smiled agreeably.
Attesting to his personal faith to the Lord Jesus Christ, Peter detailed that when first selected for the Australian Under 19's try outs, he remembers praying that the Lord would help him give his best performance, because in cricket there are so many factors that are out of a cricketer's control.
Peter George realises that God has his best for him. He can do his best in cricket, and God will do the rest, as such issues are ultimately in the providence of God. His prayer is that the Lord will place him where he is meant to be, whether that is playing for South Australia or the National team.
Concluding the interview, Peter said: "Cricket is my Mission field, as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, mixing it with players and coaches, my part is to be a shining light and true witness to what the Lord has done for me. My testimony is 'mine and Susie's lives' as people with a Christian faith, who follow Jesus."
This Australian Missionary News IPTV interview can be viewed at either tv.bushorchestra.com/Sport/videopages/peter_george.htm OR www.youtube.com/user/marktronson
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html
