Hi everyone - I've spent the last seven weeks in Whangarei playing cricket for Onerahi Central CC. With a team consisting of Northland players Bradley Kneebone and Henry Cooper, Scottish cricketer Scott Robertson and ex-England under 19 cricketer Charlie Roebuck, we are sporting a very strong side within a tightly contested league and we are pushing to win a title this season. I am opening the bowling and batting at five for the team. So far this season I've bowled economically going around two runs an over but wickets have been scarce so far. As for my batting, I've scored 64 and 60 in two of our early season games so I will be looking to continue my good form into the season and attempt to convert some of these scores into 100’s.
My ex-academy coach Craig Hogan assisted me in setting up this trip connecting me to Stephen Cunis, the head of Northland cricket, and also the New Zealand ‘A’ bowling coach.
The Whangarei area is quite a quiet, tightly knit community. They are both welcoming and friendly to newcomers within Northland cricket. I've been training Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s for the Northland squad and I'm currently pushing for a place in the Northland ‘B’ side. The standard of cricket is strong here and with great facilities at the main ground, The Cobham Oval, consisting of an indoor centre along with outdoor artificial and grass nets, it is easy to find somewhere to train and develop my game further.
Aside from cricket I've been working on a farm twenty minutes outside of Whangarei from 7:30-4:30pm on Mondays to Thursdays. It's a good way to keep myself occupied and a fine source of income to pay rent etc. It's tough work but enjoyable to be out in that Kiwi sun all day.
All in all, it has been an extremely beneficial experience so far and I have thoroughly enjoyed it, I will do my best to keep you all updated in the coming months.
Rory Anders
Phoenix CC