John Mitchell has initiated this section in response to requests seeking comments from first class players of yesteryear.
Q1. Most memorable game?
Being a member of the New Zealand teams to secure the first Test victory against Australia and England were highlights in my playing career. The 1974 game against Australia at Lancaster Park was a titanic battle on a mottled seamer- friendly pitch, where scores in the first three innings were in the low to mid two hundreds, leaving a similar score to secure an unexpected victory. It was exciting to take three second innings wickets in a spell for five runs off 12 balls to restrict the Australians’ lead to 227. Thanks to Glenn Turner’s batting expertise (101 & 110*), the winning total was nervously attained for an historic breakthrough against our more illustrious neighbours.
Australia 223 & 259; NZ 255 & 230/5
The 1978 victory over England at the Basin Reserve highlighted the ‘never say die’ attitude that New Zealand teams must have to be successful. Chasing a meager fourth innings total of 137 the England batsmen succumbed to the hostility of Richard Hadlee (6/26) and Richard Collinge (3/35) on an unpredictable pitch, to be bowled out for a meagre 64! This was Geoff Boycott’s first Test as the England captain which was memorable to him for the wrong reasons. Sadly, this was my last Test match as I sustained a back injury during the first innings after bowling into a strong Wellington gale to tie up an end to support the two Richards to attack down wind, which they did sensationally.
NZ 228 & 123; England 215 & 64
Q2. Most memorable personal performance?
My best Test match bowling performance was during the third Test in Hyderabad, India in 1969. After completing a tour of England, the team played India and Pakistan on the way home on an arduous five and a half month tour. My bowling match analysis of 7/61 surpassed my previous best and the team came close to securing an historic series win on Indian soil, finally sharing the Test matches one all. Taking 13 wickets in the series at 13 runs apiece surpassed my wildest expectations.
Apart from my personal performance this test was memorable for the drama surrounding it. In India’s first innings they were 49/9 on a pitch where the grass was longer than what would normally be expected. A defiant last wicket partnership of 40 saw the Indians dismissed for their second lowest score which led to a riot. Two youths ran onto the field to congratulate the batsmen for avoiding India’s lowest test score of 87 but were chased by two stick welding policemen. Sadly, one of the youths was struck on the head, opening a wound that incensed the crowd leading to a halt in play. Prior to the match there had been unrest in the city and this incident was an opportunity to vent anger against figures of authority.
Chasing 268 for victory in the second innings India was 76/7 when rain interrupted proceedings for half an hour. With India staring at defeat little effort was made by the ground authorities to remove the water soaked covers so our team, led by our inspirational but infuriated skipper Graham Dowling, went onto the field and removed them and used forks to drain surface water. Unfortunately our efforts were in vain as the game was abandoned within sight of New Zealand’s first ever series win.
NZ 181 & 175; India 89 & 76/6
Q3. What or who was the major influence in shaping you as a player?
I looked up to my father as he was held in high esteem as a player and administrator both in New Zealand and internationally. He had a strong belief in doing the right thing at the right time, being generous and considerate to others and he always wanted us to do our best in whatever we chose to do. He was strict but also very fair and we had great respect for him and his passion and knowledge of the game.
As a pace bowler I was inspired mainly by the exploits of Dick Motz, Dennis Lillee and Graeme McKenzie, whose action I ultimately attempted to emulate. I was excited to see them make the ball move at pace in the air and off the pitch, enticing false shots and intimidating the batsmen with their aggressiveness and control.
Q4. Advice for a current secondary school cricketer who has the vision to play first class cricket?
Over the years I have accumulated advice and guidance from players, coaches and many others that have influenced me as a coach so that I could assist young cricketers:
• Maintain your standards in personal life (punctuality, appearance, work ethic, preparation, fitness etc)
• Don’t make excuses and take responsibility for yourself and your actions.
• Seek challenges by going outside your comfort zone.
• Make sacrifices to ensure that you are fully prepared to play at your highest level.
• Make the most of your opportunities when they arise.
• Have belief in yourself. If you don’t, no one else will!
• Consistency and reliability = professionalism!
• Repetition is required to become unconsciously skilled so that your natural instincts take over. See the ball, hit the ball! See the target, hit the target! Watch the ball, catch it!
• Train to play by practicing at a high level of intensity.
• As Dennis Lillee, the great Australian fast bowler says, “The secret formula for success is Hw + Hw2 + f(Hw2) or, in plain Aussie language: “Hard work, more hard work and f.....g more hard work!”)
• Plan for success by setting SMART goals – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time focused, adjusting them to continually improve performance.
• Play hard, but within the spirit of the game, never giving up!
• Develop a technique that works for you and provides you with an opportunity to perform consistently.
• Develop yourself, both on and off the field, as a person befitting of your profession.
• Remember where your loyalties lie, your roots, those who have supported you, your teammates
• Ask questions, seek knowledge.
• Remember that your career spans a very short time frame in the continuum of the history of cricket. What will your legacy be?
• Enjoy what you do and have fun doing it!