Canadian U19 player Akash Gill is spending the winter playing club cricket in Whanganui, New Zealand. The 17-year old, who represented Canada at the U19 world Cup is gaining valuable experience and representing Wanganui at senior level in the Hawke Cup, the major competition for New Zealand Cricket’s District Associations. The competition is split into four zones, within each zone a full round robin is played, with games being played over two days. He has made a good impression to date, playing three matches at the highest level, batting in the lower order and opening the bowling. In his first match he made made 35 batting at number 9, and was last out as the last 3 wickets added 75 and took 3/48 with his bowling. The second match was badly rain affected but Akash had taken the first three opposition wickets without conceding a run before rain intervened. His batting featured again in his third match as he made 29* from 99 balls, and led a recovery from 30/7 to 120 all out; he also took 5/31 in the opposition first innings. He’s also playing for the U17 team, so is getting lots of cricket.
There’s no doubt that this will be a fantastic experience for the young player, especially as all matches are played on grass pitches – and he’s been learning pitch preparation as a groundsman’s assistant as well as coaching the youth teams.
He was interviewed by NZ web site Four Five Hundred
He’s relishing playing in a country where it is the summer national game.
“It was really competitive. Bowlers over here, they are very consistent. Back home they will test you out but if you get them off the line, it’s hard for them to get back.
“Over here, if you hit the bad ball away you’ll find out that the next ten balls will be good balls. It was a really good challenge batting for a really long time and having the pressure of trying to stay in.””
Full interview
Hawke Cup scores
Update: Aakash scored 152 in the Coastal Cup tournament and will represent the Central Districts U17 team in the National U17 Tournament – Photo and more