GAME CHANGER: Graham Hudson is capable of producing a match-turning performance with both bat and ball for OBR.File picture by Paul Rickard
BEING the son or daughter of a famous sportsman or sportswoman can bring unwarranted pressure and abuse.
But Poverty Bay and OBR all-rounder Graham Hudson, taking the local cricket scene by storm, says comparison with a famous father doesn’t faze him.
Hudson, 19, is the son of former South African test opener Andrew Hudson, who in 1992 scored 163 on debut against a West Indies attack that included Curtly Ambrose and Patrick Patterson, two of the most lethal pacemen of their generation.
“Dad never put pressure on me or my two brothers — who don’t play cricket — to play the game,” said Graham Hudson, who will be a key man for Bollywood Stars Poverty Bay in the three-day Northern Districts Twenty20 tournament that starts on Sunday.
“Dad always told us to do what we enjoyed, whether it was in sport or study or whatever we did.”
Growing up in South Africa, Graham Hudson went to the same school as his father.
“Maybe some expected more of me because I was the son of a test cricketer,” he said.
“I was lucky in some ways; Dad was known better as a test opening batsman and I’ve been known more as a bowler, although I have worked on being an all-rounder.
“Some players in South Africa and England, once they found out who my father was, tried to get into my head.
“But I learned from an early age to block it out. If you don’t, you lose concentration and focus.”
Graham said his father, who was also a Proteas coach and selector after he retired from playing in 1998, was a humble man.
“If you stayed with us in our house for a week, you wouldn’t know that Dad had been an international cricketer.
“He doesn’t talk about his career unless someone asks him about it, and he doesn’t try to live his life through us.
“His philosophy is ‘enjoy what you do or don’t do it; find something you enjoy’.
“He did come and watch me play, but he is one of the quiet spectators.
“While some parents love to shout and encourage and offer advice during the game — and there’s nothing wrong with that — Dad would wait until the game was over.
“No matter how I played, he would say ‘well done’,”
“I also get great support from Mum (Tracey), and both parents are happy to see that I am doing well.
“They know how to get The Gisborne Herald online and enjoy reading the write-ups.”
When asked if he would like to follow in the footsteps of his father, Graham said: “What kid wouldn’t want to play for his country . . . but it’s not my priority.
“My first priority is, as Dad says, to enjoy my cricket, play the best I can and see where that takes me.
“So far, I’m loving my cricket. I’ve played in England and now New Zealand, where everyone is so friendly. I’ve been here just a month and a half and it’s been great, playing for Poverty Bay and for OBR with a great bunch of guys.
“The boys have told me next week’s T20 tournament will be a higher standard than I’ve played here so far and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
“T20 games can be hard on the bowlers but I love it, especially if I’m asked to bowl at the death . . . final-over stuff and all that.
“People think the pressure is on the bowler; I don’t look at it like that.
“I think the pressure is on the batsmen, they have to score the runs. All I have to do is execute, stick to the plan, which varies with each game and the batsman facing.”
Graham Hudson has proved to be a match-winner bowling the final overs for Walker Shield T15 blast games and for Poverty Bay.
He was also man of the match in Saturday’s Doleman Cup final, taking three wickets for 14 runs off seven overs and scoring an unbeaten 45 in OBR’s win against High School Old Boys.
“I can’t believe how lucky I am to be playing here, and everything is going so well.
“All I want to do now is play my best for Poverty Bay next week.”
Although cricket is No.1 priority for now, Graham Hudson is studying for a Bachelor of Commerce degree online through a South African university.