Behind the Stumps with Graeme Aldridge

Posted: Friday, 30 October 2015

A few questions to the new coach of the Bay Senior Men's Team

In the first issue of Behind the Stumps for 2015/16 season, we chat with Graeme Aldridge who has been recently appointed the Bay of Plenty Senior Men's team coach for the Fergus Hickey Rosebowl season.

Graeme, who made his Bay of Plenty debut in 1996/97 season, went on to become one of the best known players on the New Zealand Cricket Domestic scene for nearly two decades. Known simply to most in the game as G, he has had huge influence on Bay and ND cricket over the years.

Tell us a little about your junior cricket days in Tauranga?
Main memories are playing at Tauranga Domain every Saturday morning with a lot of mates from Pillans Point School. And then obviously the nets most days or in the backyard with Dad and my brother Niven.

You became the first local Black Cap to come through the Otumoetai College cricket program with Trent Boult following a couple of years later - what do you remember about Otumoetai College cricket days?
We played reserve grade and held our own from what I remember. We had a decent team and pushed Tauranga Boys College pretty hard one year in my earlier years. I think I batted ten and didn’t bowl for the first year or two in the first eleven, but I loved just being in there.

Your made your Bay of Plenty debut in a Hawke Cup game at Blake Park - tell us a little of your memories from the game?
We had a pretty dominant display against Central Otago if my memory is correct. I managed to go in later on when we were on plenty and cash in on some tired bowlers (Bay of Plenty 553/9 - G Aldridge 52, batting at No 9). It was an easy team to fit in to, and a lot of guys in there were proud Bay players.

What are your memories of your first game for the Northern Knights in the 1998/99 season?
A lot of toil for not much reward. To be honest I probably played before I thought I was going to so I wasn’t really prepared for the toughness of four day cricket. It did kick start my emphasis on the importance of preparation which I carried on through my career from then on.

What are your most memorable moments of your long career with ND which only came to an end in April this year?
Easily the competition wins are the highlights, and then the time in the changing room afterwards.

Who are some of the characters that you have played with and against?
Against Aaron Redmond stands out for his humour. With, probably Southee and Brad Wilson. It never got too serious when they were in the team which I enjoyed.

What did it mean to you to be selected for the Black Cap tour of Zimbabwe in 2011?
Obviously a big honour, and something I am very proud of.

Tell us a little about the Zimbabwe tour?
I thoroughly enjoyed it, even though I didn’t really go that well. Even though I was an experienced first class cricketer at that stage, I didn’t use that experience to my advantage.

What are your aspirations as the new Bay of Plenty coach?
Keep things simple. The Squad is reasonably experienced and settled so I will see where I can add value if needed. All I want is a team who prepares well and are willing to put the team first.

Bay of Plenty have a one point lead over Northland in the case for the ND Hawke Cup challenge in early 2016 - how important is it to you to win the challenge?
It is definitely a team goal and will be an outcome of playing well till Christmas. Hopefully it is just as or even more important to the players than to myself, and the management team will provide whatever they need to achieve that goal.

Will you have a role in the development of the multitude of emerging talent in the Bay?
Yes one of the roles I have with ND cricket is a HP role within BOP cricket. I have about 25-30 players of differing ages, boys and girls, who I am seeing reasonably frequently.

Are we likely to see you in club cricket during the season?
No chance. Along with being pretty busy with my roles, I need Saturdays to spend with family, and have a punt.

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