Curtis home from Surrey

Wairarapa cricket captain Sam Curtis has returned to Masterton after another successful season playing club cricket in Surrey for the Oxted and Limpsfield club.
Curtis enthused about his season in England.
"I just loved it, absolutely loved every minute. They were such neat people at the club, knowledgeable and keen. I really struggled to leave it all behind," Curtis said. "I'm just hoping to get invited back to England again next year."
Curtis had been based at the coed Hazlewood School in a coaching role. But with July and August being school summer holiday months in England, Curtis had plenty of opportunity to indulge in his own cricket as well as seeing some sights of Europe.
Playing in a league he described as "between club and rep level in New Zealand", Curtis played 25 club games, scoring 910 runs, averaging 53.
"Not the best but the tracks seemed more suited to bowlers.
"I got shut out of the bowling a bit and managed only 43 overs at an average of 15," he said. "We had this amazing leggie, an Aussie called Gordon Boxshall, from Melbourne, the best I've ever seen. He was tossed the ball a lot. The weather turned hot and dry, spinners became king."
Curtis said he was "grateful" to the Wairarapa Cricket Association for allowing him to play in England.
"Yep, a big thank-you to the association. They allowed me to go overseas in pursuit of my dream. That's to play at least one first class game in New Zealand. I almost made it last season with the Central Stags. I was selected but ended up 12th man. I want to go one better and be included in the starting XI," he said.
But Curtis has returned dogged by injury concerns.
"I've just turned 30 and the body's taking longer to recover now," he said. Achilles and knee injuries accumulated during the last New Zealand season left Curtis feeling "stuffed" at the start of the English season and he only became competitive in July and August.
"I'm looking to get the knees fixed before the season starts in earnest and then next February I'm hoping to have some bone which is floating around in my wrist removed."
To that end, Curtis reckons he'll only turn out for the Lansdowne club when "fully fit" but will want to get some club cricket in before the rep season starts. Curtis remains determined to captain the Wairarapa team again this year and was buoyant when assessing the prospects.
"We may have lost one or two from last season which will mean a few changes, but we'll be looking to bring some of the younger guys through."
Curtis highlighted the "real talent" of Matthew Stringfellow.
"He's a huge prospect," Curtis said. "Daniel Ingham and Jamie Holmes are others in the frame."
"Then there's Seth Rance. I really rate his prospects in the shorter form of the game. He's got real potential as an allrounder. He's a natural ball striker, the best in Wairarapa. He rarely gets injured and is always dependable. I'm sure he'll keep turning out for Wairarapa."
Curtis is the Wairarapa cricket development officer for the season and plans to target the development of women's and college cricket.
"I want to create more opportunities for women to play, things like women-only practice nights."
One way or another, the next few months are shaping up as a busy time for Curtis, a challenge he is relishing.
"I'll be up for it for sure" he said.