Cricket: Time favourable for bowler

Cody Andrews could provide the tonic the Northern Knights' bowling unit needs against the Auckland Aces. Photo / Tania Whyte

Cricket is a numbers game. In the wake of Northland seamer Cody Andrews being named in the Northern Knights' Plunket Shield side to play the Auckland Aces at Eden Park's Outer Oval today, Northern Advocate sports editor Josh Berry analyses why the numbers 28, 12, 2, and 140 suggest Andrews' time to shine, and make his first-class debut, is nigh.

28:

At 28 years old Andrews might be at the opposite end of the age-spectrum compared to other fast bowlers rising through the ranks of domestic cricket.

In saying that, one added advantage he has is a proven capacity to deliver when needed.

Cody Andrews bowling last year during an exhibition match between Northern Districts and Afghanistan.

"Being a little bit older, with mental maturity, you don't get as nervous," Andrews says.

Stubbing out the cliche of "aging like a fine wine", Andrews insists he has had a good vitaculturalist add some much-needed zest and tannins to his vat of bowling nous.

"I didn't really take cricket seriously until my mid-20s ... probably not until I moved to Whangarei. Three to four years ago [I was] nowhere near where I am now ... Stephen Cunis [Northern Districts A/Northland XI coach] has moulded me into what I am technically and with my planning."

12:

On the cusp of making his first-class debut for some time, Andrews' closest sniff of the red ball was behind the boundary ropes as 12th man for the Knights' last match of the 2014 season versus Canterbury.

Brought into that match to experience the first-class environment, bowling mentor Stephen Cunis says Andrews is now fast-becoming a "serious bowler".

"It's all experience, that's what it comes down to. The more you get at that level the better."

2:

Traditionally a drier pitch, the deck at Eden Park's No2/Outer Oval ground - the arena for the Knights' duel against the Aces - is currently suited to Andrews' attack.

"The pitch is looking very fresh, it's looking a little bit better for me," he says.

"Typically the pitch up here is a little bit quicker than other pitches in New Zealand, which will suit my bowling. "

Cunis admits any side is in luck if they've got a right-hander with the ability to create some movement off the wicket.

"That's a massive tool to have, to move it away from the bat." 140: Ask any batsman who has faced Andrews at the crease, and you'll get an arid response.

He's no lame duck and has been clocking the radar around the 140kmh mark for some time now.

"There's no substitute for pace ... his first ball is as good as his last," Cunis says.

Of Auckland's batting line-up, Andrews could feature as a dark horse. "The Aces will have a better idea about how he plays [but] he could make a bit of an impact," Cunis adds.

Additionally, Andrews' consistency in longer forms of the game could help his persuasion.

"There's a lot of guys around that get into their third and fourth spells and start to drop away," Andrews says. "I'm a lot fitter and stronger than I've been. It's just a matter of me doing well and being clear of what I want to achieve."

- Today's match starts at 10.30am.