Cricket: Gaffaney taking no Canterbury prisoners

He could soon be catching bad guys instead of cricket balls, but Otago opening batsman Chris Gaffaney will be taking no prisoners against Canterbury in Alexandra today.

A veteran of 10 first-class seasons and 77 one-day games for Otago, Gaffaney is not yet ready to call it quits, although a change of career could well spell the end of his cricket.

"I'm looking at joining the police in April, and if I get accepted I'll be away for 4 1/2 months. So that may end my career," Gaffaney said before today's first-round State Shield match against Canterbury.

"I've had 10 years of it [first-class cricket] now. A lot of people don't get that many opportunities. It's a great environment down here and I'd like to keep playing, but I don't know. We'll have to see what happens."

"I've never played for New Zealand but I've had a lot of good times playing for Otago."

Gaffaney, 29, married his partner in April and has a six-year-old son. He said having a family had given him a new perspective on life.

Gaffaney has fashioned an admirable State Championship record, averaging more than 33 runs including seven centuries in the first-class competition.

By his own admission, he has not done so well in the one-day form of the game.

"It's just embarrassing," he said of a one-day record of 1758 runs from 75 innings at an average of 23.75, including eight 50s.

"It's not what I believe I can bring to the side. This is another season to try and rectify that." He describes his batting style as positive. The right-hander got into early form against Wellington in a State Championship game, but was undone on 99. He will be hoping to go one better and get his first State Shield century against Canterbury.

- NZPA