He could soon be catching bad guys instead of cricket balls, but Otago opening batsman Chris Gaffaney will be taking no prisoners against Canterbury in Alexandra today.
A veteran of 10 first-class seasons and 77 one-day games for Otago, Gaffaney is not yet ready to call it quits, although a
change of career could well spell the end of his cricket.
"I'm looking at joining the police in April, and if I get accepted I'll be away for 4 1/2 months. So that may end my career," Gaffaney said before today's first-round State Shield match against Canterbury.
"I've had 10 years of it [first-class cricket] now. A lot of people don't get that many opportunities. It's a great environment down here and I'd like to keep playing, but I don't know. We'll have to see what happens."
"I've never played for New Zealand but I've had a lot of good times playing for Otago."
Gaffaney, 29, married his partner in April and has a six-year-old son. He said having a family had given him a new perspective on life.
Gaffaney has fashioned an admirable State Championship record, averaging more than 33 runs including seven centuries in the first-class competition.
By his own admission, he has not done so well in the one-day form of the game.
"It's just embarrassing," he said of a one-day record of 1758 runs from 75 innings at an average of 23.75, including eight 50s.
"It's not what I believe I can bring to the side. This is another season to try and rectify that." He describes his batting style as positive. The right-hander got into early form against Wellington in a State Championship game, but was undone on 99. He will be hoping to go one better and get his first State Shield century against Canterbury.
- NZPA
