Cricket
11 December, 2025
Peucker reaches 400 dismissals
Laharum wicket keeper Ben Peucker has joined the likes of Adam Gilchrist and Mark Boucher in the 400 dismissal club after achieving the feat in Laharum’s C grade Horsham Cricket Association clash against Homers on Saturday, December 6.
Having taken a catch and made a stumping earlier in the innings, Peucker reached the milestone when he stumped Charlie Hopper off the bowling of Nash McKenzie.
Peucker took another catch later in the innings to cap off an extraordinary day, which included a 35-ball half-century during Laharum’s innings.
The gloveman was pleased to reach 400 dismissals, admitting it could have happened a lot earlier in his career.
“Very happy to get to the 400 dismissal milestone,” Peucker said.
“It could have happened years ago if I didn't fumble the ball so often.
“I would hate to know the number of chances I've fumbled or how many thousand byes I've let through over my keeping journey.”
The round eight performance means Peucker has 286 wicketkeeping catches to go with an impressive 115 stumpings.
The first dismissals occurred in the 1994/95 season when he was 11 years old, and despite believing he is not the most talented of keepers, Peucker has never been away from the gloves for too long.
“I didn't always keep wickets early on, as we had some very good keepers, but as time wore on, it turned out the other, better keepers would field or bowl better than me, so I was stuck with the gloves,” Peucker said.
“I have lost count of the number of youngsters that I have tried to train up and palm the keeping gloves off to over the years, only for it to last a week or two.
“It was nice to have a bit of success in that regard last season with Harry Hoffman keeping wickets well for us all season in A grade.
Primarily playing for Laharum’s C grade team in the 2025/26 season, Peucker has enjoyed the opportunity to play with his son, while also thanking his wife for her assistance over the years with his cricketing endeavours.
“I have enjoyed a bit of a change of pace this season, playing mainly in the C grade, having a couple of games with my 12-year-old son, Dusty, witnessing his first wickets and runs, and the joy that has brought us both,” Peucker said.
“Thanks to my wife, Stacey, for all she puts up with, her ongoing support, especially with afternoon tea preparation.
“Stacey and the kids really enjoy the cricket too, it's a great family day out.”
Playing cricket for over 30 years, Peucker said he enjoys the mateship that playing for the Laharum Cricket Club brings.
“I have been very fortunate to play with some fantastic cricketers and characters over the years at Laharum, and across the competition,” Peucker said.
“I enjoy the social banter amongst our group.
“We are all out here to enjoy ourselves; we aren't playing for the Ashes out there.”