Cricket: This is for dad, says Wilson

Jeff Wilson

Jeff Wilson will carry the memory of his late father close to his heart next week when he attempts to rekindle his international career against the World XI.

The former All Black great, who played the last of four one-day internationals against Australia 12 years ago, was yesterday trying to collect his thoughts after being named in the New Zealand side for the three-match series against the World team.

In his third season of cricket since turning his back on the John Mitchell-coached All Blacks in 2001, Wilson, 31, was included in the national squad at the expense of the injured Ian Butler and ahead of recent hopefuls such as Andre Adams and Tama Canning.

His selection not only raised the possibility of a fulltime return to international cricket, it also brought him one step closer to fulfilling the prophecy of his late father Bill, who died suddenly in 1998.

The double All Blacks' closest ally and confidante, Wilson snr predicted his son would end his international sporting career playing cricket - and used to revel in the thought of him eventually changing to the summer code.

"Dad would really love this moment, he really would," an emotional Wilson told the Herald yesterday.

"When I made the decision to get back into cricket, his memory was a big part of it, because I knew he always wanted me to realise my potential as a cricketer. He would have loved this.

"That's one of the reasons why I can't wait to get out there. I just hope he'll be on my shoulder when Murali bowls the doosra ... "

Wilson played 60 tests at wing and fullback for the All Blacks and scored 44 tries, second only to Christian Cullen in terms of the New Zealand record.

He put his cricketing recall down to the fact that the World XI series would not carry full ODI status and was therefore an opportunity for the selectors to experiment with their options.

That would explain why Canning and Adams - both part of the New Zealand squad for the Chappell-Hadlee series in November - were overtaken by Wilson in the one-day team's pecking order

"I'm very fortunate to receive the chance, and I'm aware of that," he said. "There's been a lot of guys in good form throughout the country and I'm extremely grateful to get the nod over the other contenders.

"Brian McKechnie [New Zealand selector] said to me the other day that 'there was only one way to find out' about my prospects at the next level up, and I think he was talking about the selectors as much as me.

"They just happen to think that I've done enough to warrant a chance, and I'd like to justify their faith."

Wilson has played five State Shield one-day matches this summer (taking seven wickets at 17.85 and scoring 82 runs at 16.4) and his two State Championship four-day appearances have seen him take four wickets at 39.5 and score 84 runs at 28.0.

He was staying at the Dunedin home of Otago team-mate Rob Lawson yesterday when he heard his cellphone ring and noticed the number of Sir Richard Hadlee flash up on the screen.

"It was just as well I was sitting down, because I almost went numb with shock," he said. "I knew I was a chance, but the reality was still an enormous surprise and I still haven't really come to terms with it."

Wilson, who last month married Silver Fern netballer Adine Harper, said that just like his late father, his wife had been a constant source of encouragement in terms of his cricketing future.

"Adine was really excited about it. She always had faith that this would happen."