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Behind the Stumps with Chris Pringle

Welcome back to Behind the Stumps which is an occasional look at the people and personalities that make up Bay of Plenty Cricket. In this edition we chat to former Black Cap fast bowler Chris Pringle who has resided in Tauranga for the last decade.

We will leave the introduction to Cricinfo. “A well-built brisk medium-pacer, Chris Pringle had one of the most remarkable introductions into international cricket. After one season of first-class cricket in the Shell Trophy - totalling six matches - Pringle was playing club cricket in England when he ambled over to the New Zealand side during a practice session at Headingley and asked if anyone had a spare ticket for the forthcoming ODI. New Zealand were suffering an injury crisis at the time, and Pringle was drafted in, playing two of the matches”.

Where were you born and where did you do your schooling
Born in Auckland in 1968. Lived in Sydney & Melbourne until 1981.Then I went to Rosmini College Takapuna.

When and where did you get into playing cricket?
In Melbourne in the late 1970’s.

At what age did you get serious about the game, and what age group teams were you selected for.
At about 16 I got serious about it. I didn’t play any rep cricket until I was selected to play for the Auckland Under 20’s.

When did you first play senior cricket.
During 1985 I played Premier cricket for Takapuna.

What led to you playing cricket in England prior to Black Cap selection and tell us about some of the people who you played against and met?
Chris Gott who was the overseas professional at Cornwall asked me to come over to Pudsey St Lawrence in the Bradford League as the overseas Pro. Luckily I accepted and happened to be in the right place at the right time when the New Zealand teams bowling stocks were in tatters.

Tell us a little about your Black Cap playing days and some of the highlights?
I played during the early 1990’s. It was really only semi- professional in those days. My fondest memories were the two World Series Cup Tri series I played in Australia. I suppose I loved it there because my formative years were there. Australia bought the best out in me.

What was your most significant cricket achievement?
Probably a toss- up between 11 wickets in Pakistan in a test match or bowling a maiden over against the Aussies at Hobart.

Tell us about playing cricket in Holland

I had a great time in Holland playing & coaching cricket but it was probably my self-development that I took most from my 10 years there. Not to mention I married a Dutch lady and both Tim & Caitlin were born there.

Who is the most significant or influential person you have met in sport?
Jeff Crowe

Who is the biggest character you played against or met in cricket?
Merv Hughes

Who had the biggest influence on your cricket career?
My parents

What brought about you relocation to Tauranga
I wanted to live in a beautiful part of New Zealand.

What has been your involvement in cricket since moving to Tauranga
Mainly coaching my son Tim’s club and rep teams. Doing some writing for The Bay of Plenty Times.

Now time for a Commercial – What Real Estate Firm do you work and your contact details if Behind the Stumps readers wish to buy or sell Western Bay property

Chris Pringle
Bayleys Tauranga
chris.pringle@bayleys.co.nz     021750689

Tell us a little more about Chris Pringle –
What music do you listen to - Anything from the 80’s

What was the last book that you read - The Firm

Favourite movie – Jerry McGuire

Favourite TV program – Fox Sports News

Favourite meal -  Indian

Favourite drink - Heineken