Carl Openshaw is the archivist for the illustrious Forty Club in the UK. In their 2014 Handbook he wrote an article about 1st XI school boys who have gone on to gain test status and represent England in cricket. Carl noted that “No fewer than five players who featured (for England) in the 2014 test series against India had previously represented their schools, in matches against the (Forty) Club”.
How have we fared at The Willows on this criteria? On the New Zealand May – June 2015 tour of England, three test / ODI players (Tom Latham, Corey Anderson and Ben Wheeler) and sub Hamish Rutherford all played as schoolboys at The Willows.
The full list of players who have gone on to represent NZ in tests (as at 1 April 2016) is:
C.J.Anderson (Christchurch Boys’ High School) 13 tests
T.D.Astle (Christchurch Boys’ High School) 1 test
H.K.Bennett (Timaru Boys’ High School) 1 test
P.G.Fulton (Christ’s College) 23 tests
M.J.Henry (St Bede’s College) 4 tests
T.W.M. Latham (Christchurch Boys’ High School) 18 tests
R.J.Nicol (King’s College) 2 tests
H.M.Nicholls (St Andrew’s College) 2 tests
M.H.W.Papps (Shirley Boys’ High School) 8 tests
H.D.Rutherford (Otago Boys’ High School) 16 tests
As well as those above, the following have played for the Black Caps in ODI and/or T20 internationals: N.T.Broom (Christchurch Boys’ High School), B.J. Diamanti (Marlborough Boys’ College), S.L.Stewart (St Bede’s College) and B.M.Wheeler (Marlborough Boys’ College).
And the two best individual 1st XI performers against The Willows? With the bat, as a 17 year old, Peter Fulton made 80 not out to lead Christ’s College 1st XI to a convincing win in 1996. And with the ball, Ben Wheeler had two devastating spells at the crease in 2006 and finished with match figures of 8-2-23-4. Again The Willows team that day came off second best.
We also appreciate those “young stars” who on leaving high school, made themselves available to play for The Willows prior to hitting the “big time”. In particular: Peter Fulton (9 matches for 362 runs at 40.2), Tom Latham (9 matches for 483 runs at 69; including one century). Another who has been a stalwart both on and off the field is the NZ ODI all-rounder Andrew Ellis. Although he had left Shirley Boys’ High School before the XI became a regular Willows fixture Andrew has played 13 games for us (making 424 runs at 47.1 and taking 16 wickets at 18.6). As well as Tom, others to feature on the Club Honours Board are Brendon Diamanti with a century against his old school in 2002 and leg-spinner Todd Astle with figures 5/10 v St Thomas College in 2005.
We thank all players mentioned for their contribution and support of The Willows. Long may your achievements and excellent example inspire the latest crop of 1st XI players to aim high and maybe join you as New Zealand cricket representatives in the future.