The world of cricket has changed dramatically in the past 15 years, punctuated by a seismic shift since the introduction of Twenty20 in 2003 . The sport is now considered a serious career option , with opportunities at local, national and international levels for players in a variety of forms of the game.
Because of this shift within the game, players are staying involved for far longer than was the case in the past. For example, cricketing veteran Chris Harris first played for Canterbury in the 1989/90 season and is still within the ranks of the Wizards playing along side young up and comers such as Logan van Beek and Tom Latham.
The Marshall twins in the Northern Knights have been in the side since the late 90s and they now team up with young electric talent Kane Williamson.
The new landscape creates some intriging age comparisons amonst all of the first-class teams.
The emerging talent and team stalwart
Auckland Aces
Richard Jones - 36
James Neesham – 19
Northern Knights
Michael Parlane – 37
Kane Williamson – 19
Central Stags
Michael Mason – 35
Adam Milne – 17
Wellington Firebirds
Chris Nevin – 34
Harry Boam – 19
Canterbury Wizards
Chris Harris – 40
Tom Latham – 17
Otago Volts
Craig Cumming – 34
James Fuller - 20
Does their experience and cricket knowledge have a positive effect on younger players? The answer, according to New Zealand Cricket General Manager and former international player Geoff Allott, is yes.
“Not only does the experienced cricketer add value to the team and individuals through performance, but they also demonstrate good process around key areas such as decision making, tactical and technical elements, and the overall professional aspects that are required to ensure a successful career in the game,” he said.
The inclusion of talented stalwarts lifts the standard of competition. “Having experienced players in our competitions also ensures that the young players have to work hard to earn their spot in the team, resulting in obvious benefits for the individual and team,” Allott said. “New Zealand Cricket and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association have worked hard on retaining these players in the game, and having cricket as a career option has meant that we are attracting a higher calibre of players.”
According to Allott this bodes well not only for domestic, but international cricket. “The stronger the domestic competition the better our chances are of performing on the world stage.”
The generational cross section in teams is vast, with players in their late 30s playing along side players who are in their late teens and early 20s. This could pose a problem regarding team bonding, however Allot believes age is not a big issue within the team environment. “Most of the time this is not an issue because the players are respected by the younger generation who are eager to learn from them,” he said. “Each team will have their own way of gelling individuals together, but ultimately the more experienced player will be able to offer a variety of 'benefits' that will be attractive to the younger guys. Equally, the younger players offer great enthusiasm that can also rub off on the experienced player.”
“Keeping experience in the game is extremely important not only on a playing front but also in areas such as; umpiring, mentoring, coaching, and administration. It is very important that New Zealand Cricket drives specific strategy around ensuring this experience is not lost,” Allott concluded.
