Cricket: Bay's Tim Pringle breaks Kane Williamson's records

Tim Pringle is new to bowling spin but you would not know it. Photo/Andrew Warner

Tim Pringle is making a habit of knocking off records made by Black Caps captain Kane Williamson.

Earlier this month Pringle made his debut for Bay of Plenty senior men's team aged 15 years and 74 days, which beats Williamson's record as youngest on debut of 15 years and 111 days set back in 2005.

At Otumoetai Intermediate Williamson scored 426 runs in the preliminary Northern Districts qualifying games for the New Zealand Cup. Pringle, also playing for Otumoetai Intermediate, scored 429 runs in six innings without being dismissed in the qualifying games to beat Williamson's run tally.

"Obviously it is a huge achievement so far and a huge honour for me as Kane is one of my idols as well. It is quite cool to break that [age] record," Pringle said.

When Pringle started bowling on debut against Northland the batsmen were unaware he only took up bowling spin a month earlier. As initiations go it was tough but he passed with flying colours, taking two wickets off the 20 overs he bowled.

All his cricketing life he had bowled left-arm pace but decided his major strength of batting would be compromised if he continued to bowl pace. So Pringle took up spin under the guidance of experienced Northern Districts and Otumoetai Cadets spinner Jono Boult.

"[Boult] has helped me a lot and been my main coach so far which is great. It is a strange step from pace to spin but it is tough to bowl pace and then bat so that is the reason behind it," Pringle said.

With his high arm action and natural height there is obvious similarity to Daniel Vettori at delivery but it is far too soon for any comparisons.

But the early signs are positive that he may end up a top-order batsman who can fill one of the spin bowling slots as he progresses.

Pringle is back living in Tauranga after 18 months away on a cricket scholarship in Auckland. He spent six months at Otumoetai College this year and will soon move to Tauranga Boys' College, where Bay of Plenty senior men's coach Charles Williams is on the staff.

He just loves being back home.

"It is more positive environment in Tauranga for sure. Everyone has been really supportive. Dave Johnson has been a huge help to me with my batting. He is Kane's coach as well and has heaps of experience. He is quite calm so it is awesome to have him around.

"Also ND set up a programme over the winter with Daniel Flynn who has been helping me as well."

Bay of Plenty Cricket Association coach Johnson has high hopes for Pringle.

"I think he is going to be a very good top-order bat. He is still very young and I never want to put handles on anyone really. He is also very lucky he has more than one string to his bow," Johnson said.

"He is a very promising player and very passionate about the game. That is the key with any of these good kids going through Tauranga Boys' at the moment. It is quite exciting for the region."