"I am expecting big things from Peter McLay now as he has had some time to settle in... and his spin will be a useful asset." Queanbeyan team captain Peter Solway, The Canberra Times, 12 December 1992

Originally from Coolamon, Peter moved to Wagga Wagga in 1970.  While a student at Mt Austin High School, he played cricket with the RSL Club team.

In 1984 he moved to Sydney to further his cricket career, joining the Western Suburbs Cricket Club.  A year later, he was selected in the NSW U19 side to tour Tasmania.

At the Australian championships in Hobart, Peter's consistent performances as a left arm orthodox spinner gained him selection into the Australian youth team that toured India and Sri Lanka in late 1985.  Peter performed well, equalling the most number of wickets taken on the tour.

In 1988 and 1989 Peter was selected to play in the Prime Ministers XI game against the Australian Aboriginal team.  In 1989 he toured England with the Australian Police Cricket team.

Peter continued to play grade cricket in Sydney and Canberra until 1996, and again toured England with the NSW Police Cricket team.

By 2003 Peter's involvement in cricket centred around encouraging his two sons, Samuel and Angus, to learn and play the game that he loved so much as a youngster growing up in Wagga Wagga.