my childhood hero

My childhood hero was Dan Vettori, which pissed off my Dad, who thought he seemed like a dick.

I liked the idea that spin bowlers use their brains to get batters out. Then he became a good batter too. As a teenager, McCullum was my hero. -

I think Bert Sutcliffe was my Dad's childhood hero. He always hoped I'd bat like that.

Sutcliffe is slightly before my Dad's time, but my Grandad was involved with ND for years and years.

I'm genuinely related to the Marshall brothers. Waikato isn't that large - my family farm was in Taupiri, and I think my Dad had his ashes scattered there. Never met them, but Olga explained it once. - It's funny: I supported ND and the Chiefs because my Dad did. Which, given the Crusaders were the dominant team, was always weird. 🤣 - I'm distantly related to Ernest Rutherford on my Mum's side. NZ isn't that big; I'm sure lots of people have similar ties.