Cricket: Youngsters thrilled by first-class visit

Wanganui's most improved under-13 cricketer Carter Hobbs, sporting a freshly broken arm, is flanked by Black Cap Adam Milne (left) and CD bowler Ben Wheeler ahead of a scenic helicopter flight in an Aero Work chopper last weekend. Photo/Supplied

Young Wanganui cricket minds were treated to a visit from the gods last weekend, only to find they were, in fact, just good Kiwi blokes with a talent with bat and ball.

Black Cap Adam Milne, New Zealand's fastest bowler, and Central Districts Stags opening bowler Ben Wheeler were among the guests at last weekend's The Watsons Wanganui Junior Cricket Awards night, but stayed all weekend spending valuable time with the youngsters.

Milne and Wheeler discovered that the Wanganui junior ranks, sponsored by The Watsons, were in fine fettle with a good number of emerging players who could well fill their shoes in years to come.

Dilan Raj from Cricket Wanganui said Wanganui Hawke Cup players Nick Blundle and Henry Collier, both 18, were also on hand to mentor the youngsters and all four hammered home the need to raise work ethics in order to bring out natural talent - a message the kids took on board.

"This is the first time we've done something like this getting Black Caps and first-class cricketers along to the junior awards and it's something we will build on in years to come," Raj said.

"They not only spent quality time with the juniors, but they also visited local business houses and that was repaid by the community big time.

"For instance, David Jones Motors gave Adam and Ben a car for the weekend, Andion Lodge provided free accommodation and Aero Work gave them and some of the young category award winners a free helicopter ride around the city, thanks to pilot Dean Lithgow."

Most Improved Players Carter Hobbs (U11) sporting a broken arm and Kieran McInnes (U13) and Most Valuable Player Raemon Teki (U13) were chosen to accompany the visiting cricketers on the helicopter flight.

Main sponsor Ross Watson said the visit by Milne and Wheeler was invaluable and the juniors benefited hugely.

"When we first told the kids a Black Cap and some first-class players were coming they were really excited," Watson said.

"It was like watching the All Blacks or Black Caps on TV and thinking they're gods, but I think the kids were actually surprised to find they weren't gods, but just good ole down-to-earth Kiwi blokes that had made the top level through hard work.

"I can't speak highly enough of Adam and Ben, they were brilliant talking to the juniors on a level they could understand and it gave many of them a realisation that they too could reach top level.

"The juniors were in awe, though, of Adam because he is the fastest bowler in the country, regularly exceeding 150km/h."