Sibling Success – Keeping it in the Family
Peter McGlashan |
One of my favourite cricketing memories was watching a game just on the outskirts of Amsterdam, at the VRA Ground back in mid 2002. I was fortunately over in England, playing for Clevedon Cricket Club near Bristol, when the news came through that my little sister had been picked for the New Zealand women’s cricket team, the White Ferns.
It was a great thrill to know all her hard work had been rewarded. Only a few years earlier it had looked like her sporting career would be over for good. A minor Anterior Cruciate Ligament tear was misdiagnosed as a minor medial tear. Continuing to play football on it lead to a complete tear and what followed was a difficult and painful operation and period of rehabilitation that lead to her missing the ’99-00 season completely.
As a New Zealand Under 17 footballer, and promising cricketer, it became clear that a choice was going to have to be made and with cricket being the more forgiving physically, that was where her sights were set.
It was with great excitement and anticipation then, that I planned my trip to watch her debut versus the Netherlands. I was so proud to see our family name on the back of her shirt when I arrived. It was something, as a sporting family, you dream of as a measure of success. If your name is on the back of your shirt, you’ve finally made it.
Sure, she had beaten me to the honour, but that didn’t matter. She’d done it, and no one could ever take that achievement away from her. I left a very proud, big brother.
It took me another four years to make my New Zealand debut and it wasn’t quite the dream I had envisaged while playing in the backyard with mates (and little sis of course!). It was a wet night in Wellington, in both a stadium, and in a format, that didn’t exist a few years earlier.
When I was growing up we played backyard cricket with a tennis ball and used the trampoline on its side as the slips cordon. One hand, one bounce had only just started catching on, and over the fence was six and out. Cricket Max had not arrived, and there definitely was no such thing as Twenty20 cricket.
It was a surreal feeling that afternoon in Wellington. A 7pm start time meant I was still wandering around the shops at three in the afternoon the day of my international T20 debut! The squally showers felt wintery, and it seemed like the Hurricanes should have been playing at ‘The Cake Tin’ that night rather than the Black Caps.
This last week has been different. I feel like this was my proper debut. My ODI debut was, again, at ‘The Cake Tin’ and again it rained. But now my Black Cap had a number, (the wrong one, but that’s a story for another time!) and I was a part of history.
Sara was really excited to hear about my maiden fifty in ODIs, when we spoke the other night and it must have spurred her on, as she went out the next day and smashed 88 not out off 76 balls. It has been funny comparing stories from either side of the Tasman with her being approached by people asking “are you related to that guy Peter who got runs last night?” and me, here in NZ, being asked “are you related to that woman Sara who’s doing well in Aussie?”.
My time in the spotlight has finished, with my return to domestic cricket this week, but I really hope she continues to do well in the World Cup and they can pick up a victory tomorrow.
As mentioned in my previous blog, Sara and I almost played international cricket on the same ground, on the same day. It wasn’t to be, but maybe the cricketing gods have a greater occasion in mind and will let us line up in the Twenty20 World Cup finals at Lords on June 21st.
It’d be a great occasion for both of us, would be a unique moment for the whanau (family) and a long way from the backyard in rural Hawkes Bay, where it all began so long ago.
KudoSurf Me!
An intreguing article. My missus played cricket for a while when we lived in the UK and it was a real pain over there with getting support for Women’s cricket. I think New Zealand has things set up a lot better with proper club leagues in the major centres.
I was actually in the crowd at your 20:20 debut at the Cake Tin and have to admit I was far from impressed with your performance at the time. Your recent ODI 50 has forced me to eat some choice words that I may have uttered at the time.
I see your sister has been playing at the Bankstown Oval in Sydney. I’m playing there in a month or so. If you can pass on any tips she may have about the wicket, I’d be grateful 😉
Good luck for the rest of the season.
Comment by Heef | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
Nice to see some things (one hand one bounce, six and out) don’t change! Congrats to you both!
Comment by Dave Wilson | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
Hi Peter,
I am an Indian sports journalist and am writing on behalf of an Indian men’s lifestyle magazine called Man’s World. We are intrigued by not just your unorthodox style of batting, but also your reputation as a pioneer in designing cricket equipment. We would like to carry a story in our magazine about the various gear you have designed. Was wondering if you could give us a picture of you with the nike shoes, max vision goggles, aero kpr mask, aero pads and aero glvoes you helped design with a little write up about each.
P.S. Enjoy your articles. I know Zaheer Khan well and he wouldn’t have been too happy about you sweeping him. Daring to see the least.
Comment by Dustin Silgardo | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
Heef, I think I remember you yelling out “Boring, Boring” when I was batting in that first t20 at Cake tin 😉 ha ha, it’s fair to say I was a little overwhelmed that night, was so tense I couldn’t lay bat on it and I don’t know if you remember but when I was stumped I walked off before getting the 3rd umpire confirmation.
I was in a dazed state of unconsciousness. 🙂
Will have to do a play by play of that night, was quite a surreal experience with some funny insights into how the mind can play tricks on you in stressful situations.
Glad I’ve managed to earn back some respect. I don’t feel I did myself justice in those games so would love the opportunity to improve on my poor International T20 record at the World Cup in June.
Hopefully whoever you went with that night has seen me since, or read my blog, and is just as forgiving 🙂
Comment by Peter McGlashan | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
Congrats on the ODI performances Peter, great to see you do well.
Do you know anything about Counties Manukau wicketkeeper Shane Gadsdon who I see came in for you for the last State Championship game?
Comment by Ian Law | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
Did you and Sara ever play in the same team while growing up Peter? Or were the girls and boys teams always split? Were you both always wicket-keepers?
Hope to see you back in black again soon or maybe even white? Perhaps a Test callup if McCullum gets injured again?
Comment by CK | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
I once tried to play the charging sweep in the nets to a medium pacer. I ended up top edging it and getting a fat lip (no helmet). I’m wondering if you had any teething problems with any of the unorthodox shots you play and how long it took you to master such shots (or at least get good enough to have the confidence to play them in a game).
Cheers Pete, great article,
Mark
Comment by Mark | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
Been great reading your stuff Peter, keep it up. Good stuff on your 50 the other night as well. Was there much sibling rivalry between you and your sister when it came to cricket? Any boasting when she got the call-up before you?
Comment by Andy | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
Great to see this drumming up questions, I should probably be in bed but… I’ve got 2moro off so here goes 🙂
Ian- Shane is one of many young, up and coming Keepers in Northern Districts and in particular Counties Manukau. He is a really hard working kid who is a pretty solid batsman too. He is keen to learn and is one of several talented Keeper-Batsman who I hope will put pressure on myself and BJ Watling for our positions in the next few years.
CK- Sara and I, I guess played for Dad’s work team in Business house cricket together sometimes when we were younger. There was a few years between us at school so we didn’t play together there. I did Coach the Napier Girls High School 1st XI while she was there and played against her for a Hawkes Bay mens team vs the White Ferns when they had a training camp in Napier a few years back. I’ve got a photo of her keeping and me batting but James hasn’t shown me how to put more than 1 photo on a page so will have to forward it to him. I’ve always kept, as my grandfather was a 1st Class Keeper for CD and I wanted to emulate him. Sara could do anything, She bowled quick sometines then if the team didn’t have a spinner she’d bowl offspin. She toured with the White Ferns as a backup Keeper too sometimes, but she is probably one of the best fielders in the world in womens cricket and throws further than most guys. (I think she still holds the record for the cricket ball throw on Athletics day at Napier Girls High)
Andy- We will always give each other a little grief but it’s all in jest and I’m really proud of both my little sisters. When I was 18 I was in NZ Keeping training clinics and doing really well. One day a parent of one of the boys Sara played soccer with was congratulating me on doing well with cricket but finished with ” but I think Sara will play for her country before you”. I was bit miffed at the time but they were wise words… 🙂
Mark- My next blog will be for you, after watching people over the years try to practice the shots I pull out in the middle, I’ve got some views on the best way to master some of the shots I play so that people can learn them and expand their games, so spread the word, I’ll be giving out some tips on how to start sweeping opening bowlers!!! Watch this space!!!!!
Comment by Peter McGlashan | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
Top blogs Pete, and also great to read your comments on other people’s questions.
Since you started contributing to the website I’ve tended to watch your performances much closer and was delighted for you when you made 56 not out off only 42 balls! It’s not only McCullum that can do it then ?
Must have been nice to have been on the winning side in the final ODI, despite you not getting a bat. Watching the likes of Sehwag, Tendulkar and co. must be something, especially from the viewpoint you have!
Incidentally, how do you view your State Championship form this season ? Living in the UK there’s very little coverage of our 4 day game, needless to say I haven’t seen you perform domestically in this competition, so am totally reliant on your stats. But I am interested in how you’ve been feeling both batting and keeping ? Thanks mate.
Comment by Woodster | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
Thanks Woodster for the comment, has been an unbelievable experience being parked up behind the stumps while these guys have unleashed. I’ve got a few good little stories and exchanges throughout the series that I’ll write about soon.
The format here is four 4day games pre xmas then limited over cricket for two months, before returning to the 1st class games again.
I have been very comfortable with the evolution of my limited overs batting over the last few seasons and unfortunately my first class batting average has been left behind. I’ve battled finding a balance between the plans that work so well in the aggressive nature of one day cricket, and the safety first attitude in the longer form.
The first three games I didn’t really get going but in the last game before Xmas I got 91 vs Canterbury then a quick 12 off 10 balls before a declaration, in the same game.
I have two first class games left this summer to get another few big scores which will be vital to my hopes of securing a NZ contract this winter. I feel like my Keeping has got stronger as the summer has progressed. Both of the other guys fighting for the NZ #2 Keepers spot have scored runs while I’ve been battling the Indians so the pressures on… which is exactly the way I like it.
Comment by Peter McGlashan | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
Hi Peter,
these are great reads so far – glad to have you onboard here.
Next time the Black Caps come out to Australia, I’ll at least have one Kiwi I can cheer for! (just kidding, most of the current team seem like decent guys from an outsiders perspective).
Comment by Matt | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
Hi Peter, You are really great in 2 fields – 1. Cricket and 2. Writing. It is really interesting to read your blog. It is like a romantic fairy tale. I am sure you will definitely play the Twenty20 World Cup finals. Good luck.
Comment by Sachin Jain | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
Hey Pete.
Like Heef I had to eat my words after your 50, congrats (think I’ve said that already somewhere though) anyway to my question, I see you have the more orthodox keeping technique whereas McCullum and Hopkins have that “sidewinder” (I think its called, read about it in either Fleming or Parore’s autobiography) technique of Steve Rixons, would be interested in hearing your views on the pros and cons of both techniques and why you prefer the normal technique?
Comment by Flem274* | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
Thanks for replying Pete.
It’s a heck of a break between the 4-day season, two months! As I’m sure you’re aware the County Championship breaks off in England for the Twenty20 during our summer, but generally only for a month, then back to the bread and butter of the County Championship.
I’m sure you’re not the only player to be experience an improvement in one format, while the other stands still. Is it almost a confused mindset, not knowing whether to approach the 4-day games in a similar style to the shortened formats ? Players such as Andrew Symonds and Yuvraj Singh were a couple that have had this claim thrown at them from time to time. At times they almost seem to over-compensate in Tests and go too defensive. A difficult balancing act I would presume ?
Hopefully with runs in your last game against Canterbury it may be the kick-start you needed (especially as you say, with the pressure on.
Look forward to hearing the stories and exchanges you talk about with the Indian players! Cheers.
Comment by Woodster | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
It’s sad to see the women’s world cup gathering so little attention. There’s definitely some great talents on display there.
Comment by Manan Shah | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
Good read, why do the women wear skirts and not slacks?
Comment by Kate Ehlers | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
Hi Pete,
Keep these blogs coming mate – very good stuff. Interesting parallel between your sister’s career and that of young Perry in the Aussie women’s team, in that both were obviously very talented footballers. Did Sara agonise over her decision to choose cricket, or was it pretty easy for her?
Comment by Burgey | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
I am really enjoying these articles. Keep them coming.
More stuff from the dressing room would be interesting too.
Comment by Sean | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
Really good read, appreciate your contributions, Peter.
Best of luck to you and Sara!
Comment by Barney Rubble | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
Hi Guys, I’m parked in front of the TV watching the White Ferns doing well vs India, It’s live on Sky TV in NZ so is great to be able to sit and watch my lil sis doing well. To your questions:
Flem- I guess by having been around for a while I’ve been able to dissect and combine all the advice I’ve had over the years into what I feel works for me. I’ll do a separate piece on Keeping technique as there is probably not enough room here to do an answer to your question justice and it’s an area I’m passionate about and want to do properly.
Kate- That photo is from about 12 years ago!!! so that is why Sara is still wearing the Culottes that have since disappeared from the womens game altogether.
Burgey- At the time it was a difficult time for her. The two gave her balance, when she was over the bruised fingers from fielding practice the soccer season would roll round, and when she’d had enough of the cold, wet football training cricket would arrive. Since then though cricket has become the focus and last I saw she was ranked #10 in the ICC womens cricket batting rankings. Every now and then she still plays National League Football and the occasional club game.
She’s just misfielded one, maybe I’ve put commentators curse on her 🙂
Comment by Peter McGlashan | 12:00am GMT 16 March 2009
Good read, Peter. Somewhat jealous at the amount of comments that you get because no one ever comments on my features (*sulks*).
Anyhow, I’d be really interested in your thoughts in how best to encourage and develop young wicketkeepers: I do a lot of work at school and representative level with keepers between the ages of 10 & 13, some relatively experienced and some totally green. It would be good to know what kind of drills and technical practices work best in your experience and any philosophies you buy into in terms of standing up or back on low, green wickets.
Perhaps you could come and deliver a masterclass during the World Twenty20 this summer? We’re in a beautiful part of Oxford…!
Comment by Neil Pickup | 12:00am GMT 17 March 2009
Nice work with your blog! I can picture you back in the day playing backyard cricket. The rules, game strategies, broken windows and arguments. All the good things in life.
Best of luck with your cricket. Hope this keeps coming.
Comment by Chrissie | 12:00am GMT 17 March 2009
hey Mc..u going gr8 guns …can’t wait to see u in the test squad …i think u can bring a lot of innovation in the game…with guys like u and sehwag around..its always fun to watch.
Comment by Ankit | 12:00am GMT 18 March 2009
Congrats Pete Jnr. on the redemption of that miserable night at the cake tin I sat through a few years ago. I think you have the record for most commentator mentions of ‘unorthodox’ during your 50, but hey, they were impressed none-the-less! Neat to flick between watching both you and Sara representing this Great Nation the other week – keep it up both of you!
Comment by Dan Callaghan | 12:00am GMT 18 March 2009
Love the photo Pete and seen you had one of Shrimpos specials in that Millichamp and Hall bat. Lucky for me work has Sky Sports so been watching Sarah and the White Ferns doing really well. Well Im glad you have perfected the reverse sweep as I still remember you as a skinny 3rd former trying to do it against Stu Duff (seasoned first class CD player left arm off spinner). You may not remember but I do and it showed a small glimpse on how your cricket brain worked differently and quicker compared to the rest of us :). All the best to yourself and Sarah from Team Pahi.
Comment by Team Pahi | 12:00am GMT 19 March 2009
Wonderful to hear the good news, Peter!!! Great to see how thrilled you are by your sis’ performances.. It shows in your words. 🙂
Having been a high school wicket keeper myself, don’t you think the keepers are an easily underrated lot? And also that the stats do us a great injustice that this is perhaps (apart from fielding) the only discipline where the good performances almost never get recorded as much as the bad ones do?
Comment by honestbharani | 12:00am GMT 19 March 2009
Hi Peter. it’s nice to know that you appreciate your sister very much and I liked your fifty in that match.
Comment by Aaliya | 12:00am GMT 19 March 2009
I am frm india and its great to see cricketers write blogs
its makes us feel close to u
And make it a point to
tell everybody to write their own blogs
Comment by Athul | 12:00am GMT 20 March 2009
Just stumbled onto your blog. Nice stuff!! And its real cool you bother to reply to the questions too :). Keep the posts coming.
Cheers!
Comment by wd | 12:00am GMT 21 March 2009
Pete,
I am so pleased for you, it seems years ago that you turned up at Clevedon Cricket club, but your enthusiasm and love for the game rubbed off, Especially on my little bros who with thanks to your sessions are all playing county age grade and 1st team club cricket. What a week, the mighty pool beat Man U, and you smash a ODI fifty, Dont know if you will be back over this summer? but if you are come for a beer at the dial hill sixes.
Keep up the good work buddy.
Tony Dauncey,
Clevedon
Comment by Tony Dauncey | 12:00am GMT 21 March 2009
hey Pete, really proud of you and your little sis! Been awesome watching you grow over the years. Things have changed a bit sincce Napier U12\’s haha! I hope we get to see you with that baseball mask with the good form you have shown
Comment by Paul Henare | 12:00am GMT 21 March 2009
Peter,
Just thought i would drop you a line to say very well done, brilliant and i am over the moon for you.
Looking forward to shaking that mit of yours again very shortly.
Please give my regards to Karl. See you soon buddy !!
Comment by Gordy Gordy Gordy | 12:00am GMT 25 March 2009
Thanks guys for all the support, good to hear from a few old friends from all walks of life. A NZ Basketballer, an award winning groundsman, a Clevedon Colossus, one of the most fluent batsman I can remember, a fellow NBHS Soccer 1st XI member, a nurse, and someone off the Flintstones. I’ll let you work out who is who. Thanks to all my new friends on the Blog too.
Neil- I’m playing in Bath from mid-April onwards and a good mate of mine is captain of the Oxford Uni 1st XI side so maybe we don’t have to wait til the T20 for me to pay you a visit. Am looking to put wicketkeeping resource together in conjunction with Bath so maybe some of your group can be guinea pigs if it all works out.
HonestBharani- totally agree with you re Keepers, Former NZ Keeper Ian Smith gets it right with the title of his book, “Just a Drummer in the Band” Difficult to measure success when you are keeping. Am going to do a lot of talking about Keepers in my Blogs because we are a forgotten and unique bunch.
Athul- I’ll do my best but can’t promise anything 🙂
Hopefully next piece will be up soon, just waiting upload.
Comment by Peter McGlashan | 12:00am GMT 25 March 2009