Congratulations to two Willowers who have had outstanding seasons coaching at the highest echelons of our game.
Under coach Gary Stead the New Zealand team has enjoyed a wonderful summer. Not only are they now the number one ranked Test team in the world they recorded an 18-3 win loss ratio over four opponents, with the West Indies, Pakistan, Australia and Bangladesh all vanquished. Under Gary’s leadership a rich pool of fresh talent has burst onto the scene and added real competition for places. This success has culminated in a deserved victory over India in the World Test Championship final at Southampton in late June.
Congratulations also to Peter Fulton on his successful first season coaching Canterbury. His dominant provincial side won both the Plunket Shield four day competition (easily, not losing a match) and also the Ford Trophy one-day competition. It is a testimony to Peter’s outstanding work with the players that he has quickly transformed Canterbury into a domestic cricket powerhouse again. It is interesting to note that nine of the 11 Canterbury players on the park for the final match v Central Districts went on Willows tours to the sub-continent. Harry Chamberlain scored his maiden first-class hundred. Two of the CD team that match also went on tours and Ben Smith who toured on the first trip scored 111 not out for his team in the second innings. It would have been a great reunion post-match for the boys.