ND coaches pass on cricketing knowledge

PREPARING FOR SUMMER: Kelan Bryant practises a pull shot at the Harry Barker Reserve nets as Northern Districts cricket development officer Cliff Dickeson (left) and Poverty Bay Cricket Association operations manager Nic Hendrie look on. Picture by Paul Rickard

Mid-August, it may be, but the weather was easily fine enough for young cricketers to hit the practice nets in Gisborne this week when a Northern Districts delegation paid a visit.

ND chairman of selectors Pat Malcon, Northern Spirit head coach Kari Carswell and spin-bowling maestro Cliff Dickeson were just three of the adults on hand at Harry Barker Reserve to offer advice to boys on Tuesday and girls on Wednesday.

Ilminster Intermediate pupil Alex Shanks said cricket was a big talking point at school after last month’s dramatic world cup final that New Zealand came within a whisker of winning.

The scores were tied at the end of the game, and after a super-over showdown, but England won on a countback of boundaries hit.

Shanks, 13, who plays for Dnature Dragons, said it was a great match.

“Both the teams deserved to win.”

He said he loved the sport and there were “big bucks in it if you get far enough”.

Dylan Torrie, 12, also from Ilminster Intermediate, said the Black Caps did well on the world stage.

He wasn’t allowed to watch the final in the middle of the night but saw highlights.

One of the attractions of cricket for Torrie was that advice was less likely to be yelled at him than if he played some other sports.

Torrie plays for High School Old Boys Pups.

Both boys said their favourite player was New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.

“The way he reacts — he’s not a sore loser — humble,” Shanks said.

The cricket season is scheduled to begin in mid-October.

Fifteen players have already registered for Poverty Bay Cricket’s Junior Colts T-15 Blast, due to start on October 31.

The Poverty Bay association is also promoting T-15 competitions for senior secondary school students and adults, as well as Saturday club cricket and primary school programmes.