Good Sports: Talented teen hopes to play for Black Caps

Hamish Kidd

Te Kopuru teenager Hamish Kidd has come a long way since starting cricket aged 8. Now 14, Hamish plays for Auckland Grammar where he is a border. Having helped his team finish third at the National Year 9/10 NZCT finals, Hamish took some time to answer some questions for the Advocate. Here's what this talented teen had to say ...

How did you get into cricket?

I got into cricket because when I was 8 my dad was really passionate about the game and started the Northern Wairoa Junior Cricket again with his mate James Nyssen.

What's your favourite part about it?

When you are batting particularly well and the fielders don't know what to do.

Playing for Auckland Grammar now, do you still identify with Northland and want to play for them in years to come?

Playing for Auckland Grammar is very enjoyable but I am a true Northland boy and I have also played rugby for Northland in the Roller Mills team when I was 12. Nothing beats winning the Northern Districts Junior Secondary Tournament with my Northland team.

You mentioned that you felt Northland Cricket had done a good job at equipping you with the skills to be a good cricketer, what in particular did they help you with?

When I started representative cricket I was in the Northland B team. But with the coaching of Karl Treiber and others I have really improved my spin bowling and patience when batting. This helped me make the Northern Districts under-14 squad. Northland has awesome facilities with the indoor nets and the Cobham Oval is amazing.

What sort of goals do you have within cricket?

My goals would be to play for the Northern Knights and then go on to play for the Black Caps if I am good enough. More short term I would like to make the Northern Districts under-16s and Auckland Grammar School's first XI.

Looking back over the season, if there was one game or moment that stood out to you what would it be?

The best moment in the season was playing for Auckland Grammar against Mt Albert Grammar School when I scored 136 not out and my partner scored 119, making a partnership of 255. The team ended up scoring 386-5 after 45 overs.