“I earned my keep coaching young cricketers, which I love doing, and helping prepare wickets and working behind the bar,” he said.
Hudson will play for Bain Construction OBR in the club competition and on Sunday will play for Poverty Bay against Bay of Plenty at Harry Barker Reserve.
While Hudson arrived only last Thursday, he “already loves everything about Gisborne”.
“It’s an incredible place — beautiful, peaceful — and the people are amazingly friendly,” he said.
“And there are no traffic jams . . . not like England.
“I love it, and the other South African boys (Bay operations manager and representative captain Nick Hendrie, Bruce Kerr and Matt Crampton) also love it here.”
Hudson made an immediate impact on debut for the Eastland Broncos in last Friday night’s Walker Shield T15 Blast against Bollywood Stars.
He scored 46 not out off 38 balls and took a wicket for eight runs off three overs in a two-run loss.
“I was a bit jet-lagged after the flight but felt I did OK.”
The following day, Hudson helped OBR dig themsleves out of a hole in a Doleman Cup 40-over game against Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates.
Batting at No.4, Hudson top-scored with 40 as OBR were dismissed for 128 . . . a target that should not have been a problem for Pirates.
It was the cue for Hudson to show what he could do with the ball — he took 4-17 off 7.3 overs.
“There was a lot of shouting and singing and celebrating from the guys in the sheds after the game. I had no idea what they were singing but I loved it and can’t wait to learn the club song.
“I’ve been told that OBR have a great team spirit and never-say-die attitude, which showed against Pirates and which suits me. I was glad I was able to help the team and it was great start.”
Apart from travelling to play cricket in as many countries as he can, Hudson is studying online for a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
“I keep in touch with Mum and Dad, and they’re happy with my travelling, as long as I keep up my studies.
“They’re like all parents . . . they worry about my being away from home, but as long as I stay in touch and they hear I’m doing OK, they’re happy for me.”
Hudson said cricket was not his first sporting love.
“I played squash and thought cricket was boring . . . games were too long. But once I started taking cricket seriously, I realised what a great game it is.
“And the opportunities for travel are greater through cricket than they would have been for me if I’d continued playing squash.”
