Positive Wilson puts scoring first, defence second

Once branded as a four-day specialist, Northern Knight's Brad Wilson is breaking free of the mould after a stunning quick fire innings in the latest round of the HRV Twenty20 Cup.
The Kaipara Flats right-hand batsman was instrumental in the Knights' nine-wicket win over the Otago Volts in Oamaru, helping his side move to the top of the table after round three of the T20 series.
"I'm stoked - mainly just to get two wins after a poor start to the HRV Cup, and to gain some momentum," he said after Wednesday's match.
Otago, dismissed with the final ball of their 20th over, were put to the sword while trying to defend an uncompetitive total of 132.
When the Knights lost Australian import David Warner with four runs on the board, the Northland 25-year-old headed to the crease to partner former Australian international Brad Hodge. The pair had an unbeaten partnership of 127 runs, with Wilson 58 not out, taking 30 balls and 42 minutes to reach his half century and hitting five boundaries and three sixes along the way. The pair knocked off a hundred runs in just 62 balls.
In the opening round of the HRV Cup the Knights suffered a disheartening 78 run loss to the Central Stags. Following the defeat, Knights' coach Grant Bradburn reshuffled the batting line up and moved Wilson up the order from No 6 to first drop for Saturday's match against Auckland when he scored 22 and helped his side to a comfortable eight wicket win. Bradburn kept the same lineup for Wednesday's game with the exception of Warner who made his debut for the Knights and again Wilson was invaluable playing No 3.
"I opened a couple of Twenty20 games a few years ago and because of that Grant thought he would bat me up the order. Obviously I'm pleased about that as the higher up the order you play in this form of the game, the better. I love it (T20), it's fast, exciting and you get the crowds along to watch."
Being on TV had nothing to do with why he enjoyed T20, he quipped, but he was enjoying some recognition after working to improve on all three forms of the game.
"I was pigeon-holed early on as a four-dayer, but in today's game you have to be able to play all three forms well and that's something I've tried hard to change ... I'm more positive in the way I've been batting - scoring first and defence second - and it seems to be working."
Wilson's solid start to the Plunket Shield four-day competition - when he hit some big scores - was a boost to his confidence ahead of a long season, he said.
Another confidence boost was playing alongside the likes of the laid back and convivial imports Hodge and Warner.
"The guys have loads of experience and I'm learning lots off them - it gives you quite a bit of confidence when the guy down the other end is world class. Playing with them has really helped me to express myself more."
For now, it is all about keeping his feet on the ground and doing the best job each time he heads to the crease. However, the hope of representing New Zealand is always present in Wilson's mind.
"It's pretty full-on season for us, which I think will test a few of the guys ... but it's not really hard work when you're out there doing what you love," he said.
Wilson arrived in Wellington yesterday with the Knights to prepare for Sunday's fourth HRV Cup match against Wellington Firebirds, at the Basin Reserve.