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Spring 2021 | No. 047
THE PLAYERS’ Magazine
Generation Next
O’Rourke
A Chip off
the old block
Spring 2021 | No. 047
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Te-na- Koutou, and welcome to the spring women. The challenging times we have Fern’s World Cup triumph in 2000, as we
edition of Outright. endured recently continue for our game look forward to the upcoming Women’s
and our communities with another Cricket World Cup 2022. Samoan
Daylight savings, the change of weather wave of Covid-19 sending the country International and current Auckland Aces
and spring in the air means that all over into different levels of restrictions, the player, Sean Solia, reveals his passion
the country people will be heading to hardest hit city being Auckland. Face outside of cricket and growing the game
the garage and rummaging around for masks, social distancing and hand in Pacific communities. Margot Butcher
their cricket gear. You know the story, hygiene continue to be the norm, as are interviews Junior Black Stick and Otago
the place you carefully put the gear protocols implemented last season to Spark Polly Inglis who gives us an
away at the end of last season, with that protect the health and safety of everyone insight into her work, life and cricket
all too important mental note we tell in our game, such as COVID- balance, and we also catch up with
ourselves, “Yeah I’ll remember where replacement players, bans on use of Jamie Brown who has had a change
I put that.” After checking everywhere saliva on the ball, and venue access of path. Finally, we meet newly
and eventually finding it, you inspect it protocols. These are among the many contracted players Will O’Rourke
to make sure it’s still decent and fits (if challenges everyone faces as we begin and Angus McKenzie.
it’s for the kids) all in preparation for what will be another unprecedented
the cricket season ahead. Along with summer of cricket. We hope you enjoy this edition of
what will hopefully be a long summer Outright and wish you all a safe
reminiscing with friends and family and In this edition of Outright we catch up and happy summer.
the odd backyard cricket match that with former White Ferns Captain Aimee
escalates to the competitiveness of a full Watkins (nee Mason) and find out what Nga- mihi nui
international, comes a comprehensive she has been up to since retiring, and
NZCPA
calendar for all our elite men and her reflections on the historic White
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something I want to be a part of. who took me on as an intern in the a greater impact on the community,
Guys like Murphy Sua and Ross Taylor Urban Design and Architecture team providing positive solutions to keep
helped pave the way for me, so if myself so I’m very thankful to the CPA for people together and connected.”
and players like Regina Lilii (who plays their support,” he said.
for Auckland Hearts) can inspire others Working towards his architectural
to take up the game it’s great, we have Woods & Partners specialise in registration is the long term career goal,
some talented athletes that could go far creating and delivering solutions however the focus for the summer is to
Sean Solia in the sport.”
With his cricket taking priority over the
last few years, it wasn’t until this winter
for green, grey and brown field
development, through to multi-
unit residential and commercial
enjoy his cricket and hopefully collect
some silverware with his Auckland
team-mates, a prospect Solia is eager
balancing Design
developments, exposing Solia to a to bring to fruition. “We’ve got an
when Solia could put his architecture range of projects in the business. exciting young group, I’m fizzing to get
degree into practice. “I was talking with out there with the guys to win some
our Personal Development Manager Paul “It was awesome working with a small trophies for Auckland, we’ve spent
team, as I got a lot of site experience,
and cricket
Hobbs about wanting to get into some a few years together now and have
architectural work over the winter, and worked on building consent something to prove going forward and
and he introduced me to Paul Edmond drawings and urban design scheme register some success as a group.”
from Woods & Partners Consultants planning. I particularly enjoyed the
urban design aspect as I felt you have
contract with Auckland for the upcoming
A flair for art and buy these lottery tickets where you could season, making an immediate impact on
win a luxury home in Australia. You’d his debut in the Ford Trophy scoring 152
design has been in runs from 127 balls.
be sent an A3 poster with images of
Auckland Aces the house and the floorplans, and I was
Sean Solia’s DNA always interested in looking at those.” His career has gone from strength to
from a young age. strength since then with an International
However, Solia didn’t leap straight into debut for Samoa in 2018, followed by
The all-rounder studied fine arts while University, opting to take a gap year a call up to represent New Zealand A
attending St Peter’s College turning his instead, travelling to Darwin to play against the West Indies last summer, two
attention to a Bachelor of Architecture club cricket for Tracy Village in the of his proudest moments.” My dad is from
in 2012 which he completed three years local competition. It was following this Samoa, and I align a lot with my Samoan
later at Auckland University. that he pursued the path of academia heritage, hence representing Samoa
and focussed on his studies as well means a lot to me. Stepping out for NZ
“My Parents always encouraged my as cricket with a firm goal in mind. A last summer to face international
sister and me to do a lot of extra- “My commitment to university prior to opposition is another special moment.
curricular activities as well as focusing becoming a professional cricketer was The goal for me is to play at the highest
on our academic studies, so I did all to set myself up for the future so I have level, ultimately to be the best player
sorts of stuff growing up, sports like something to fall back on that I’m really I can be, if that means playing for the
cricket, rugby and basketball, the theatre, passionate about. I’m lucky there is Blackcaps that would be awesome.”
and even ball room dancing,” laughed some space besides cricket to pursue
Solia. “I was exposed to a lot of different other goals and ambitions that I want People from Pacific and Ma-ori
things and along the way I found this to achieve.” communities are largely under-
passion for architecture.” represented within cricket playing
After completing his study Solia had systems and Solia relishes being a role
The 28-year-old traced his first a couple of stints in England including model and inspiration for other young
encounter with architecture back to Pacific cricketers of the future. “Having Sean Solia in action for the Auckland
playing at the historic MCC based at the Aces at the Dream11 Super Smash
a lottery ticket his parents purchased home of cricket, Lords. At the end of the represented Samoa, growing the game
when he was a kid. “My parents used to in the Pacific communities is definitely T20 competition.
northern summer Solia secured his first
4 Premium Partners 5
Polly
Pol ly Inglis
I n gl i s Polly Inglis (Left) with
Katey Martin (Right)
By Margot Butcher
Doing it all
a couple of hours in between travelling Dunedin, three bowling machines and training camp in Alexandra — “the first
If you want to learn it picked up in the media. Never a dull bowl very quickly. I’d be standing down and training and preparing for games on everything you could think of! And yet at time we’ve ever done that in the Sparks,
moment when you use your minutes. the other end keeping, with nerves on the weekend…” Nottinghamshire women, I think we got and it was really invigorating. I was
more about time edge! But it was good for my cricket. one hoodie in terms of kit. I was based also the longest-serving Spark at camp
management, talk to At just 25, the summer will be Inglis’ It toughened me up.” Although Hugo chose hockey over in Loughborough where all the England because Suzie Bates and Katey Martin
ninth trot for the Sparks (she skipped cricket, Polly was never able to pick a girls trained so it was interesting to see weren’t there,” she chuckles.
a female cricketer. one season, but more on that later). Then came St Hilda’s Collegiate — favourite — switching happily between the set-up they had.”
Better still, employ She’s chalked up 116 matches across the perennially one of the strongest girls’ her summer and winter aspirations. She As a keeper, she’s necessarily played
her. KPMG did, which two formats, as well as a UK summer for cricket schools in the South Island. squeezed in a season of club hockey in Then she landed a dream job in London, second fiddle to the immortal Martin
Nottinghamshire last year. And, like most “Neil Rosenberg teaches at St Hilda’s, the capital this year, but it was the first working in Soho for a sports agency throughout her career — a lifelong Spark
is why Otago Sparks of the close-knit ‘Sparkies’, she’s loyal to he’s cricket-mad and has got so many time hockey had started to take a slight “so I decided I wasn’t quite ready to and their most-capped player. “But I’m
keeper-batter Polly the core, so commuting half the length of girls excited about the game. At one back seat. What gave? come home! I travelled for that summer hoping I can keep learning off Katey, plus
Inglis will be dividing New Zealand is but a small price to pay point we had nine St Hilda’s girls [2019/20] and did a classic Kiwi in get a few more games under my belt in
so she can wear the blue and gold. playing for the Sparks.” “I think I’ve got pretty good at managing London OE — until six months of being the keeping role this summer.”
this summer with a my time, through sport, but it was getting locked in a flat with 11 others [with UK
grad role in the KPMG It’s something Inglis is well used to. So far, so much serendipity. But as any harder over winter with work, and I locking down against COVID], and the The key, she believes, to all this juggling
She did Uni in Auckland en route to an sportsperson knows, the higher you go, was also starting to really appreciate prospect of another winter wasn’t quite is attitude. “I think I’ve learnt to be
consulting team in honours degree in economics, whilst luck has less to do with success than the support we have around women’s so appealing.” pretty relaxed, chilled out. I’m a pretty
Wellington. continuing to play cricket and hockey self-organisation and putting in the Domestic cricket here in New Zealand unorthodox player — there’s probably a
throughout. Elder brothers Hugo — the hard yards, the hours. So how does — after coming back from London last Inglis was able to get home and launch little bit of hockey in that, so I try to just
Black Sticks striker — and Henry were she do it all? year where I had been playing hockey for straight into another Sparks season, make the most of every opportunity and
both competitive cricketers and hockey Wimbledon and cricket for Nottingham.” and had her best Super Smash yet. “I training that I get. I haven’t managed to
Juggling different roles, goals, cities and players in formative years, so the Her job with KMPG fortunately allows was also very grateful to the NZCPA and hit as many preseason balls as I would
travel is nothing new to the Dunedin- journey for them all began in a Roslyn some flexibility around working hours, She had gone over to London on a particularly Jo Murray for their support like, with hockey and being busy, so I
raised dual sportswoman who has also backyard with Dad bowling and Polly although the workload is full-time. “At programme called Cricket For Girls: you in helping me with the job hunt. It really consciously try not to get too stressed
played rep hockey for Southern. Busy is fighting for a turn to bat. the moment, in preseason, I’ve been could coach in schools and set up with helped me click things into place.” out about it. I remember just to control
good. Even during lockdown, when she running down to SKY Stadium from a County team as long as you had a UK what I can control, do my best to enjoy
was staring wistfully up at the mountains When her brothers both joined Kaikorai work, and I train twice a week in my passport or ancestry visa. And now, cricket’s finally taking the fore. whatever I’m doing.”
in Queenstown without being able to Cricket Club, she would tag along. lunch hour. As the season progresses, Having played for the Sparks since she
ski, instead of zoning out, she started a “I ended up playing for Kaikorai as obviously I will need to travel on Fridays, “Fortunately, I had a Scottish grandma. was 15 as a Year 11 schoolgirl, she’s seen
sewing project: a cool bucket hat made the only girl in boys’ teams, for years. so the plan is that I will work longer days It was cool. I coached at a private dramatic change. As we speak, she’s
from a retro blanket. You might have seen Michael Rae was in my team. He used to Monday to Thursday, and then pick up school that probably had more sitting in an airport after a preseason
grass wickets than we have in all of
6 OUTRIGHT Premium Partners Players better together 7
Brown holds a Bachelor of then coach Mark O’Donnell would see the next step is to play a game of club
Construction, providing him with all the him. Eventually he was rewarded with cricket for Howick Pakuranga, then
tools required to manage a number of a contract and debut for the Aces at reassess. Certainly, in terms of the
projects on the go at any one time. Colin Maiden Park in 2018. “My debut elite stuff I don’t want to shut the door
was pretty cool, we played Central and say I’m retired and never playing
“I was really lucky to get offered a Districts who had guys like George again, but I don’t want to be unrealistic
full-time job with Halter around the Worker and Jesse Ryder playing. I had and acknowledge it’s a fair way off,
same time as I got offered another a bit of imposter syndrome, and we got but thankfully I have this other job I’m
contract with the Aces, which made it an annihilated but it was heaps of fun.” putting my time into. I’ll still see where
incredibly difficult decision to navigate cricket takes me and I would love to
through. The CPA staff, particularly He hasn’t completely ruled out a future return to the Aces if I can, but I am
Henry and Paul, were fantastic and made in cricket, but Brown tries not to get definitely not hanging my hat on it.”
J a m i e B r o w n's
sure I was all ok health wise and were in too far ahead of himself and pile on
my corner." any undue pressure. Going forward his Hopefully in the not too distant future
goals are simple, “last season I was out we will be able to see Brown unlocking
with a stress fracture followed by the opposition teams with his ‘nasty fasties’
“The doctors were saying I could come GBS, so I haven’t played for 18 months. alongside unlocking the connection
right in three months or three years.” My first goal is to bowl 10 overs in the between humans and animals in his role
nets and not break my back again, then with Halter.
Halted Cricke t Career
"I was thinking, do I take this great
opportunity with a company that is
growing quickly or keep the cricket
dream alive.” Brown was faced with
a dilemma and while on one hand it
was great that Auckland backed his
“I was three days into my new job necks of dairy cows. The Halter product stuff I could do so why don’t I try do potential and medical analysis that he
allows farmers to remotely shift, virtually some site modelling.” would come right, equally Brown was
then all of a sudden my hands fence and monitor their cow’s health, conscious not to let others down and
feed and behaviour from an app on The St Kent’s graduate took up the
and my feet started failing me.” their phone. challenge, starting with learning how
did not want to recommit to cricket
when things were so uncertain. “I might
to do the modelling to determine the
"I couldn’t walk properly, couldn’t hold a not be able to walk in six months, or
After a short stay in hospital Brown, who best place to position the various
screwdriver. A couple of days later I rang alternatively I could be completely fine
was just 28 years of age at the time, components around the farm to ensure
Emma the Auckland Aces physio and told in two months-time," he reflected.
was diagnosed with a rare neurological there is full radio frequency coverage.
her what was happening, she said to me
disorder called Guillain Barre Syndrome From there he passes that information Brown chose to pursue the pathway with
you have to go straight to hospital.”
(GBS) in which your body's immune through to another former Auckland Halter, taking the opportunity to learn
That was the situation Auckland Aces system attacks your nerves. “I had no Aces cricketer Michael Barry, who is and grow with the organisation. Using
pace bowler Jamie Brown was facing grip strength and couldn’t walk or run the pre-build manager and Brown’s his initiative to seize an opportunity is
shortly after securing some winter work properly for three to four months.” neighbour in the Halter office. Since nothing new for the Howick Pakuranga
for agriculture start-up Halter – the tech Explained Brown. “Luckily Halter, who I April the company has grown from 30 stalwart, as a young club cricketer
business specialising in solar-powered had worked for less than a week at that odd staff to well over 100. he would attend training at the Aces
GPS enabled smart collars fitted to the stage, said there was heaps of other and bowl in the nets making sure that
8 OUTRIGHT Premium Partners Players better together 9
The Watkins Family
at the beach.
how much better they are now. It’s made
it tougher for New Zealand.”
Several of Watkins’ contemporaries —
Amy Satterthwaite, Sophie Devine, Suzie
Bates, the youngster with whom she
used to open the batting — will at least
get another shot.
“We always knew Suzie would go on
to be a significant player. Even as a
16-year-old coming through from Otago,
she was a standout. For her to have
maintained the drive and the intensity
throughout what’s become a lengthy
career, I think, ‘good on her’ and I wish
Aimee Watkins and daughter last her and the White Ferns all the best.”
summer (with Kate Baxter - far left)
Jamie Watkins was playing for Taranaki But she’s sure she will be tuning in to the In the meantime, there’s plenty else to be
while Aimee was a White Fern. Today home World Cup, one of the box office getting on with. For the past eight years
he’s the one immersed in Central events of the national sporting summer. she’s been teaching at New Plymouth’s
Districts cricket — coaching his wife’s Francis Douglas College — an all-boys’
Past player Feature old team and developing women’s cricket “It’s been 21 years, so it will be pretty Catholic school that’s best known as
special if the White Ferns can pull that
Aimee Watkins
across the whole region in a full-time the alma mater that nurtured All Blacks
role for CDCA. one out of the hat. And, it will be a major Conrad Smith and the Barrett brothers.
event, this time. The profile is much Full-time for the last three years, now
“Cricket is his passion. He’d always also higher. The domestic doubleheaders that daughters Olivia and Izzy are both in
be down on a Saturday watching his club have been good for shining a light on school. The family is living the dream on
by Margot Butcher team, and he’ll probably still be doing the women’s game. The chit-chat in the a lifestyle block just outside town, with
that when he’s 80. Once we had kids, staffroom these days is what happened chickens and sheep, lambs, cats, guinea
we just had to figure out how to juggle in the women’s game, and then, what pigs and actual pigs.
When the ICC going to Lincoln University to take up an “When I started, we would have just the all that and I’ll generally pop along to happened in the men’s. That just never
NZC Academy scholarship in the coming leftovers of the men’s clothes, polos that Pukekura Park with the girls when he’s happened 20 years ago.” “I grew up similar and it was
Women’s Cricket year, so that World Cup Final in Lincoln were XXL and warm-up T-shirts that there with the Hinds on game day.” awesome, so it was an experience I
World Cup plays was doubly of interest to me. I looked were like tents, it was just ridiculous. Aimee played in two ODI World Cups wanted my kids to have as well. We
up to Debbie Hockley, Emily Drumm, And, the Hinds always got a hiding. They had known each other pre-cricket, and two T20 World Cups — captaining had it good during lockdown. Always
out in New Zealand Rebecca Rolls, Catherine Campbell — all I finished in my time with us being then Jamie went on his cricketing in the latter. In her last, the 2010 Final something to do. Plenty of space to
this summer, for those people. I knew that being in the consistently in finals, and winning both OE to Scotland for some six northern in Bridgetown, Australia won by just run around. It’s a lot of work, but it’s
White Ferns was where I wanted to be.” titles in one season. So that was pretty summers in a row. “Once he came back three runs. good fun for us all. We worked really
a generation of cool, but the friendships you have within full-time, he was at Taranaki Cricket, hard to make it happen.”
women there will Watkins didn’t have to wait long. After the team are still the most enduring and I was coaching and doing some “With World Cups, we had a pretty good
a wave of retirements, she made the things you treasure.” pieces there through the summer. We run. We didn’t win during my time, but
be a circuitous, team the very next season — initially got married in 2009.” were making finals, and runners-up
reflective feeling. selected for a tour to India that was then She was just 28 when she retired. “Not just about every blimmin’ tournament.
cancelled due to 9/11, before debuting over the hill — but it was a pretty strong With Aimee still playing, Jamie It was always heart-breaking at the
The memory of a in Adelaide at the end of the summer, feeling of being done, of not wanting to developed a strong appreciation for the time, but I look back and
life marker being alongside Nic Browne and Anna Corbin do it anymore. It had been brewing for 18 challenges facing female cricketers — think it was quite an
in a largely new-look team. The start months. I knew it was time to move on even at the international level. “He’s very achievement by a small
placed in the mind. of a significant career of a future New into the next part of my life which was passionate about it, and I’m sure that country with a very small
Zealand captain. She would play 141 having a family and getting my teaching comes across in his coaching.” pool of female players.
Twenty-one years ago New Zealand
matches, including a century of ODI career going, having done Teacher’s Frankly, we were very
hosted the 2000 Women’s Cricket World Meanwhile, Aimee was ready to step
caps and two Tests, and crafting two ODI College and then managing to piece amateur then compared
Cup — and won it. The first time that had away from cricket entirely. “I didn’t fol-
centuries among her 1189 ODI runs. together two years’ worth of classroom to England, Australia
happened. Aimee Mason (as she was low it at all. It was a complete break and,
experience whilst I was playing, in order and India, so we were
then) was watching the Final live on Domestically the allrounder also led in some ways, I still feel like I’m going
to become fully registered. punching well above our
TV. Oath, we all were. It was the most the Central Hinds to a ground-breaking through that ‘detox’ — which is weird, weight.
exhilarating finish of the year — the double in 2009/10 and today she is a I was able to step into a full-time job after 10 years, but I think I was just so
White Ferns defending 184 against usual life member of Central Districts which helped make the transition to immersed in it during my career that “Now the landscape
suspects Australia in a nail-biting, last- Cricket Association. life after sport easy. [Her husband] now it was time for everything else. I do has changed so much
over, four-run win. If you haven’t seen Jamie and I also had a goal of wanting follow domestic cricket a bit through the — West Indies, South
the scenes, look it up on YouTube. “The whole story of the Hinds — I was to build a house, so other things just Hinds now — but Jamie’s the one who’ll Africa, all the other
16 when I started, to 14 years later when took over the space and time that turn on the TV to watch the cricket or countries have poured
“I was right at the end of my last year of I finished up — was one of massive cricket used to consume.” White Ferns.” resources into women’s
high school,” recalls Aimee, “and I was change,” she recalls. cricket and it’s obvious
10 OUTRIGHT Premium Partners
Trusted Help
for those The Cricketers' Trust is a
charitable trust established by
The Trust has helped more than 20
Past Players in the past two years
in need
current professional players and and distributed more than $50,000.
the New Zealand Cricket Players’
Association with a view to assisting If you feel you would like to
past cricketers who have fallen on contribute to the trust fund,
hard times. donations can be placed into the
Trust account below
One
It is during these times of need that
the trust aims to do what it can ANZ
to ease the hardship that former Cricketers Trust Account
01-1839-00268808-000
Mighty
players and their families may
be experiencing.
www.thecricketerstrust.co.nz
As the work of the Trust has
become more known there have
Clash
been more applications for support
from past players who for whatever
reason have suffered a crisis
in their lives and are struggling
financially or with their health
and well-being.
Bruce Taylor was supported by the Trust, Combine Team Rugby magnificent Bay Oval, where these alongside former ND age grade rep Kieran
here with Ewen Chatfield two hugely popular codes will battle Reid. Sir ‘Ted’ and Richie McCaw don’t
–with all its sporting
superstars, and for bragging rights and the impressive take to losing so it will be fascinating to
Lomu Trophy. see who makes the cut for Team Rugby,
Team Cricket –packed especially as Fleming has called up his
full of legends, After another disrupted Covid-19 year, old Blackcaps mate Shane Bond – who
together in one the Black Clash will provide some still floats around the cricket scene as a
place and you much-anticipated entertainment for fans coach and might just be able to whistle
get New Zealand’'s who have been starved of attending the odd one through to Adam Parore like
favourite summer sports events through 2021, and with the old days.
Tauranga bulging with holiday makers
event inspired and over January, the prospect of a bumper T20 Black Clash is once again live on
delivered by Duco crowd is looking inevitable. TVNZ with the Alternative Commentary
Events — The Hot Collective calling all the action, but to get
Spring Spas T20 Stephen Fleming and NZCPA life the true experience, getting along to Bay
Black Clash in member Sir Graham Henry will face Oval is a must.
association with off, with the wily former Otago wicket
keeper (and Rugby World Cup winning
Heartland. coach) looking to square the ledger Hot Spring Spas
which tipped in favour of Team Cricket T20 Tauranga
T20 Black Clash has established itself
last year at Hagley Oval, following a nail Black Clash
as a quintessential annual event on the
biting final over which saw former Black Saturday 22 January
summer calendar which truly captures
Caps star Dan Vettori take three wickets. Bay Oval, Tauranga
the imagination of the public and this,
Tickets on sale now
the fourth edition, sees a return to the Former youth cricket stars Will Jordan www.blackclash.co.nz
North Island and a debut at Tauranga’s and Jordie Barret return for team rugby
12 Premium Partners 13
Grant McKenzie (left), and sons;
Gus McKenzie (middle) and
Jock McKenzie (right)
Will O'Rourke (middle)
with mum and dad.
Cricket him, and you could have knocked him “I’m around so many Sport Coaching majoring in performance
the Generations
by Margot Butcher
over with a feather. “I was just on the
fringe of Auckland A at that time, so it
was a hell of an experience."
Now he’s looking forward to building
quality players whom
I can learn off, who
are very generous
with that and who I
analysis and sports science.
“I think it’s going to be quite interesting
to me comparing what I’m learning at
Uni here with what it’s actually like
his experience for Otago, while still being in a professional set-up,” he
At the time McKenzie was opening the mates dropped off and stopped playing, studying part-time through Massey can just talk bowling says. “I’m very interested in sports
With every batting, but has since moved down to as they do, but for me, it was always University for a property valuation with, like I do with psychology and things like that, but
generation of degree and working “very part-time” at I’m also flatting with four other boys
the middle order and classifies himself good fun, so I kept playing." my Dad.” Will O’Rourke so I have a good social life as well, for
as a bowling allrounder for the Volts at Axia Property. All going well, Dad and
Domestic cricketers “Mum played hockey and we’d been Jock, who played two summers some balance.”
the moment, “but all through school I
comes a raft of was a batsman. It will be interesting to pretty fortunate growing up to have of cricket alongside him at North
Shore, will be able to watch him O’Rourke put in a good stint in
family ties, so no see how it goes this summer.” enough grass out the back for a pretty
again sometime this summer Newly Contracted Players 2021/22 senior club cricket locally and
decent game of backyard cricket with
surprises that two in Auckland. then, in a matter of months,
He made a first-class 34* late last season me, Dad and my younger brother
Auckland Adithya Ashok, Cole Briggs, there was Canterbury coach
of this season’s with his mates on the bank sinking a [Auckland Blues first-five] Jock. Dad
“Dad and I talk cricket quite a Matthew Gibson, Ryan Harrison Peter Fulton ringing to confirm
few and getting in behind him. After five was working in rugby for Auckland so
new contractees Ford Trophy games over two summers we’d always have three or four weeks bit and as I’m slowly maturing,
Canterbury Harry Chamberlain,
he was being offered a maiden
I’m realising what a really great contract.
are “son-of’s”. McKenzie made his first-class debut off at Christmas, and often we’d go William O’Rourke
last summer after Volts regular Nathan down to the Mount to my granddad’s, knowledge he’s got, and I enjoy
listening. It helps sort me out.” Central District Joey Field Fulton and O’Rourke have
Smith was ruled out with a broken thumb. playing cricket there too.” something else in common
McKenzie made a solid start with 34 not Northern District Kristian Clarke, Freddy Walker besides the red and black kit
Otago Volts recruit Angus McKenzie The McKenzie name has multiple Further up State Highway One,
out, with his mates on the bank sinking a they share this summer, they
is a third-generation representative affiliations with Grant an ND player 20 year old paceman Otago Jake Gibson, Angus McKenzie,
few and getting in behind him. both stand almost two meters
cricketer, following father Grant who’d played his age-group cricket for Will O’Rourke is looking Todd Muller
forward to his first summer tall (six foot six in old money).
McKenzie (34 first-class and 11 List “Dad missed my one-day debut because CD in Hawke’s Bay; Grandad Bill also
as a professional player Wellington Luke Georgeson,
A games for Northern Districts from I got called in late, but he flew down for having represented Bay of Plenty and “A lot of my game is based
with Canterbury. Callum McLachlan
1984 to 1991) and his late grandfather my first-class debut in Invercargill, got Angus born in Wellington, growing up in around my height. It gives me
Bill McKenzie who played Hawke Cup a taxi to the ground and arrived as I was Auckland before heading to Otago for Uni. an advantage in my bowling, but
Yet to debut, the big right-
1946 to 1960. Grant offered a bit of left- bowling my first over! We went out and I think how I bowl has improved
“I came down as a student, with an arm rookie picked up the 16th
arm spin, Bill was a handy right-arm had a good seafood chowder that night." a lot over the last year — and
eye on playing cricket but not thinking contract for Canterbury but his
allrounder so the pace gene has and Wairarapa where the trio of bowling especially with the set-up I’m in now,
“Growing up, it was Dad who ignited ‘I’m going to be a cricketer’. Then two name should be familiar not only from
skipped a generation. brothers hailed from. with so many quality players around
the spark for cricket in me. I was seasons ago they invited me in for his pedigree — he’s the son of 1990s
Wellington right-armer Paddy O’Rourke, whom I can learn off, who are very
Angus’s all-round ability stood out in the always all right at it, I was never preseason stuff. I was a classic student, No shock, then, that the latest O’Rourke’s
but from the 2020 generous with that and who I can just
2015/16 Gillette Cup in a Westlake Boys’ amazing, but the one thing I had was I not in the best of nick, but they were so a wicket-taker, too. “Growing up, my old
New Zealand Under 19 World Cup team talk bowling with, like I do with my Dad."
side captained by Will O’Donnell. “We had always enjoyed it. Later on a lot of my accommodating and I thought, ‘This is a man was really the main guy coaching
Ross ter Braak too, the best school side I’d very good environment to be in…” that impressed in South Africa. me and talking with me after every “I feel the consistency is getting better
ever played in. Hutt International had Ben game. These days he’s in Auckland and I for me and I’ve been working with our
Uncle Matthew O’Rourke also played
Sears, Rachin Ravindra and Troy Johnson, “Growing up, it was McKenzie’s name had already surfaced
for NZU19 (New Zealand Youth, as it
still call him up for a chat about it.” bowling coach Brendon Donkers on
we finished equal on points but they won Dad who ignited the somewhat randomly in a NZXI game bowling plans that hopefully lead to a
against the West Indies in Whangarei, was called at the time) as well as CD Will himself escalated through the
the title on NRR. A bit of a bugger!” few more wickets over the summer."
spark for cricket long before his Domestic debut. He age-group and a sole first-class match Auckland Under 17s and Under 19s, then
Sears was the only player who bagged in me.” Angus McKenzie was busy working in the Mighty Ape for Auckland, while their little brother moved down to Christchurch last year “Now I’m just hoping I’ll get an
more wickets than McKenzie that year. warehouse when Gavin Larsen rang James O’Rourke played for Wellington A to start studying towards a Bachelor of opportunity.”
14 OUTRIGHT Premium Partners Players better together 15
Emily Cunningham
Lockie Ferguson
Glenn Phillips
Stephen Fleming
Kiwis Abroad a regular feature for the Trent Will Young joined for a short spell.
The Show
Rockets. Priest’s 76 against Colin de Grandhomme became the first
the London Spirit was the third Gloucestershire player to register a
Glenn Phillips was another busy highest total in the competition. score of 150 and take four wickets in
player in the lead up to the IPL, where an innings in his second match of his
Despite spending long periods of the County campaign. Also featuring in
must go on…
CPA Life Member Stephen Fleming he debuted for the Rajasthan Royals.
was one of many coaches in action Phillips’ journey was via England in New Zealand summer recovering from the local record books was Ish Sodhi
offshore, heading to the UAE for the ‘The Hundred’ where he teamed up injury Lockie Ferguson made up for lost who became the sixth Worcestershire
continuation of the IPL. With Fleming with fellow kiwi Jimmy Neesham time in the winter as he hit some form player to take six wickets on debut for
at the helm the Chennai Super Kings for the Welsh Fire before heading for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. the County. Central Districts Hinds
were able to secure another IPL trophy, off to the Caribbean to represent the His lead into competition was in the player Emily Cunningham has just
before Fleming stayed on to work with Barbados Royals in the Caribbean UK in a place better known for its Blue returned from the UK after representing
the Blackcaps during the T20 World Premier League (CPL). The Royals and Red Football sides City and United, Berkshire which is where she originally
making his mark for the Manchester hails from. Cunningham has been doing
Despite the obvious group of teammates and staff, all Cup. Fleming’s coaching skills and
sharp eye will be in tune as he prepares
were coached by NZCPA Board
member Daniel Vettori who like Phillips Originals in The Hundred before moving a combination of playing and coaching
with the pride of representing your
challenges associated country. We were disappointed with for the one event in the calendar that hopped across to the Caribbean at to Yorkshire for The Vitality Blast. junior players during her stint in the
Ferguson was given the ball for the last UK, and was impressive on the field
with COVID restrictions missing out on automatic entry to the he cherishes – the chance to take on
Sir ‘Ted’ Henry and Team Rugby in the
the conclusion of the Hundred. Also
coaching in the CPL was Brendon over against Lancashire in a regular herself, dominating with the bat with an
next phase of T20 qualifiers and now
throughout the world, a wait on the wildcard possibility. Still, it Black Clash at Bay Oval on 22 January. McCullum who led the Trinbago season fixture, making a statement with impressive strike rate of 150.
a hat-trick with his last three deliveries
number of our members, both was a proud moment to receive those
There were several other New Zealand
Knight Riders with Tim Seifert and
to win his side the match.
accolades from the tournament and ICC Colin Munro both in his squad.
players and coaching staff, and hopefully as a group the team can players and coaching staff involved
The County Cricket Championship
in England’s ‘The Hundred’ and
jetted off to ply their trade take some learnings and momentum
leading the wicket taking stats for the
Recently retired White Fern
Rachel Priest was the only kiwi to regularly features New Zealander’s
forward into the next series,"
in various competition and described Richardson. competition was none other than feature in the women’s edition of The these days. James Franklin is the head
New Zealand and Stags pace bowler coach for Durham where
international fixtures over After picking up back-to-back T20 Adam Milne, who took 12 wickets
Hundred. Her vast experience, brilliant
keeping and outstanding batting was
the winter. So, we thought titles, the Wellington Firebirds’ from 8 matches for the Birmingham Eimear
Richardson
we’d take a little look around Logan van Beek donned the oranje of Phoenix. Perhaps it was the mentoring
of his kiwi coaching staff Daniel Vettori
the Netherlands - playing a 2-match
the traps and see what people ODI series against Scotland which (Head Coach) and James Franklin
have been up to. was drawn and a 3-match ODI series (Assistant) that helped Milne achieve
this milestone. The Palmerston North
against Ireland in which the Dutch won
2-1 and van Beek was named player of native also played for Kent in the T20
the series. Vitality Blast and the Mumbai Indians
in the IPL alongside Trent Boult and
On the international front, Northern “I left NZ at the end of April and Logan Van Beek
Jimmy Neesham, where the kiwi
District’s Eimear Richardson headed to the Netherlands to work trio regularly starred for the Mahela
represented her home country Ireland for a company called Fairtree Capital Jayawardene coached outfit.
in the ICC T20 Euro Regional Qualifier and play club cricket with an eye on
in Spain earning the distinction of strengthening my chances of making “It was really exciting to be involved in
being named player of the tournament the Dutch side for the T20 World a new competition like ‘The Hundred’,
and ICC player of the month for August. Cup, which I managed to do. While in doing well with my bowling and
Europe I also got a run with Derbyshire having a few kiwis like Dan (Vettori),
“It was such a special time to be in the T20 Vitality Blast. This whole James (Franklin) and Finn Allen in the Daniel Vettori
able to travel globally in the current trip has provided me with some great environment, made it a really enjoyable
circumstances and be part of a great opportunities,” said van Beek. month," stated Milne.
16 OUTRIGHT Premium Partners Players better together 17
Upcoming Events The sider
Due to Covid-19 restrictions and disruption many of our events are being rescheduled or planning is being
deferred until we have more certainty.
Past Player Event QSCC Charity Golf Day
Details still to come Auckland. Postponed – new date to be confirmed
Hooked on Cricket The Players’ Golf Day
Term One 2022
Date to be confirmed
Book review —
NZCPA Website and App
We are delighted to confirm our website connectivity and engagement we are
‘Golden Boy’
by Paul Ford
nzcpa.co.nz is currently being refreshed launching the app with an initial focus
and will include an expanded members on enhancing our engagement with our
area with all sorts of information and 200 odd current playing members, with
On a family holiday to Australia we this meticulously, interviewing more in and bowled lightning and Kim had
resources about the NZCPA – plus resources for our past player network
caught a train from the centre of Sydney than 70 people who knew Hughes – to go off for an X-ray…the day before
access to our expanding range of being incorporated in future updates.
and an incredibly steamed cricket fan childhood friends, coaches, international the Ashes started.” Extraordinarily,
Member preferential rates. from Wagga Wagga sat beside us on his
The app is free to download but does and provincial team mates, selectors Hughes never complained or became
Also launching in the final quarter require member's registration. way home after a day in the scorching and coaches. embittered: he just got on with the job
sun of the SCG. at hand as best he could, outwardly
of 2021 is a brand new NZCPA app. Details will be forwarded to you At its heart it is a profoundly sad book displaying confidence and ploughing
In a fresh move to enhance our once we launch the app live. We got talking - and he got slurring - as we see Hughes’ carefree talent and on regardless.
and in a parting shot of kindness he love for the game relentlessly attacked
produced a red leather cricket ball and ultimately dismantled by the three Ryan makes it clear Hughes was a
signed by none other than Kimberley alpha male rock stars of Australian polarising character: endearing to
John Hughes and handed it over to me. cricket of the time: Dennis Lillee, Rod some, but a cocky prodigy to others.
Ever since then I have had the former Marsh and Greg Chappell. Hughes One writer put it neatly: “Insecure but
Premium Partners Australian cricket captain and eighties regarded the trio as absolute legends of arrogant, abrasive but charming – in
icon on my radar - a player often the game but this reverence was never Hughes' character were the seeds of his
remembered only for breaking down as reciprocated: instead they saw him as own destruction.”
he resigned as Australian captain at a out of his depth, over-confident and not
press conference at the Gabba in 1984. sufficiently focused on winning. Kim knew he was good. He was a
terrific, aesthetically pleasing, attacking,
My Kim Hughes radar was triggered They were outwardly hostile to him risk-taking entertainer of a batsman
again recently when a mate at work as their unwanted national captain. who only partially fulfilled his promise.
said he’d picked up a great book entitled “I honestly would prefer to play under More annoyingly, he’d loudly predict at
‘Golden Boy: Kim Hughes and the bad several other players, who I think would team meetings that today was the day
Photos courtesy of Designed and printed by old days of Australian cricket’, penned do a better job than Kim,” Marsh said in he would be scoring 200 before lunch.
by Christian Ryan. It was named by one interview. One of those other players, And he apparently loved to drive fast
Wisden as probably the greatest cricket of course, was none other than himself. bowlers, dropping down on one knee
book ever written. then yelling out: “Shot! That’s four on
Lillee was brutal to Hughes too – even any ground in the world.”
I hunted it down in a Wellington CBD when they were on the same team, in the
secondhand bookshop (a mere $20) nets preparing to play Test matches for It’s a cricket book that will make you
BUSINESS CLUB MEMBERS and this biography is one hell of a read: Australia. Left-arm spinner Murray Bennett question the dressing room cultures
enthralling, booze-laden, and a searing regales a story of Lillee meandering in and you have been a part of over the years.
“unairbrushed” insight into the savage “unloading off a few yards” until Hughes It will make you realise how brutal
macho culture of cricket in an era arrived for his net session. Now Lillee grown men can be to grown men.
punctuated by the Packer revolution and switched gears, extending his run-up And it will remind you that sometimes
fallout from rebel tours to South Africa. and steaming in to unleash bouncer after talent is a curse because of what it
bouncer in succession aimed at Hughes’ triggers in others. ‘Golden Boy’ is a
Hughes famously did not contribute to golden locks. poignant book, magnificently written.
the book, but instead left Ryan to his Highly recommended.
by Dermatologists own devices to unearth the back story Paceman Geoff Lawson tells a similar
independently, unconstrained by the yarn in a pre-Ashes net session:
protagonist’s memory. And Ryan does “He nearly broke Kim’s arm. Just ran
Paul Ford is the co-founder of the Beige Brigade and one-seventh of The Alternative Commentary Collective.
He still has the Wagga Wagga ball in his cricket memorabilia collection.
18 OUTRIGHT Players better together 19Health cover has real benefits nib offers a range of cover that’s flexible, easy to understand and easy to claim on. We have a range of options we can tailor to best suit you and your family. Get covered today. Visit nib.co.nz
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