Paul kindly shares his insights on cricket both as an auspicious player for Canterbury and New Zealand and manager of eight Willows youth tours, one to India and seven to Sri Lanka.
Q1. Most memorable game?
The Shell Trophy final match that secured the Trophy for Canterbury versus Auckland in Eden Park in March 1984 when I scored 155 out of a total of 293. I then followed up with a 50 in the second innings in 25 balls.
Q2. Most memorable personal performance?
After getting a first ball duck in my innings in Zimbabwe I scored 153 in my second match in 270 minutes. This innings led to a New Zealand win.
Q3. What or who was the major influence in shaping you as a player?
As a young player at St Andrew’s College I was mainly a bowler who batted number 10 but after a couple of years with 1st XI coach Geoff Tait not only could I bowl good outswing I was a capable batsman batting in the top four. After leaving school I went to Old Collegians Seniors and came under the guidance of the late Ian Cromb who encouraged me to keep playing shots. He also introduced some new ideas which I took on board. I did a lot of skill practice by myself.
Q4. Advice for a current secondary school player who has a vision to play at the top level?
Compile a plan setting out what you believe to be your strengths and weaknesses. Then ask your coach and some good honest mates for their views of your skills. You might find that these people have quite a different view. Once this has been done then start working hard on your revised training plan.
Q5. A vital aspect of the ethos of the game which must be strengthened?
Cricket is a difficult game and it will not be your day every time you play so it is important that you learn to celebrate the success of someone else and always strive for the team’s success. If everyone in the team is doing this then as long as someone in the team has played a match winning performance all members of the team will have more fun. You will always make good lifelong friends from playing the game of CRICKET.