Observations on Batting Techniques, Coaching & Fitness

Otago Cricket - Season RoundupOtago’s win in the State Shield capped amemorable cricket season down south. Thevictorious one day side was met by a largecrowd at Dunedin Airport, and then treated toa Mayoral reception, hammering home to theplayers just how significant this result was fora province starved of major cricket trophiesfor more than 20 years.Particularly satisfying for the locals was thefact that most of the players learned the gamein Otago. Brendon McCullum’s heroics inthe final came as no surprise to those whohad watched him and his brother Nathansmashing tennis balls round Carisbrook asyoungsters when their father Stu was playingfor Otago in the 1980s. Brendon’s brilliant170 tended to overshadow the efforts of histeam mates but make no mistake – Otago’ssuccess was built on solid teamwork and a lotof hard work over the past few seasons underthe guidance of coach Mike Hesson.The work ethic established has seen playersblossom and the rewards are coming. BradleyScott, Nathan McCullum, Neil Broom, WarrenMcSkimming, Aaron Redmond and JamesMcMillan were selected for New Zealand‘A’, with Mike Hesson as assistant coach,while McCullum, Craig Cumming, Scott andBrendon McCullum made the BLACKCAPS.The season also saw the return of test cricketto Otago, and the picturesque UniversityOval became test venue number 96 in theworld, justifying the bold and forward thinkingdecision to shift Otago Cricket’s headquarter’sfrom Carisbrook to the new ground threeseasons ago.Not surprisingly there has been a real buzzaround Otago Cricket over the past year ortwo. The challenge for Otago Cricket is toboth foster and capitalise on the heightenedinterest.Already there has been an increase inthe numbers throughout the provinceplaying twilight or social cricket, a reminderof the need to cater for all levels of interestand ability.There can be no room for complacency. Thestandard of cricket in secondary schools isa concern, most notably because it seemsto be increasingly difficult for schools to findstaff willing to commit their time to the sport.New Zealand Cricket is attempting to redressthis situation by funding School CricketCoordinator positions, but getting the rightperson, someone who will actually make adifference, is critical.Otago Cricket was fortunate this season togain the services of new Southland CricketDevelopment Coordinator Ian Mockfordwhose drive and enthusiasm is starting tomake a difference in the deep south Withexperienced CDCs in all its other districts,Otago is well served by its developmentpersonnel.A big focus early in the season was theOtago Cricket Roadshow which had theVolts players out in the schools throughoutthe province promoting the game. TheKeeping Cricket Strong in Schools campaignfollowed closely, and cricket had a high profilein early October.Performances and results in nationaltournaments have shown that the provinceis continuing to produce some verypromising cricketers.The Otago Sparks enjoyed a very goodseason under the tutelage of player/coachClare Taylor. The side achieved some verygood wins and came close to gaining a placein the final. Outstanding were wicketkeeper/batsman Katey Martin and allrounder SarahTsukigawa, and their places in the NewZealand White Ferns were well merited.Otago ‘A’ competed strongly at the nationaltournament, with Jordan Sheed’s outstandingbatting form (two centuries) winning him arecall to the Volts later in the season.The U19s overcame a slow start atthe national tournament to pick up fourconsecutive one-day wins and storm intothe final against Auckland. It set Auckland288 to win, a target achieved seven wicketsOtago’s successwas built onsolid teamworkand a lot ofhard work overthe past fewseasons underthe guidanceof coach MikeHesson.