Q11. What is your opinion on overseas players playing in State cricket?
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Originally Posted by Graeme Aldridge I think overseas players are good for the game over here. Personally it adds another challenge to the games when you come up against a pro. We haven't had one {at Northern Districts} since I've been playing but I believe it would add something to our team and the association. |
Q12. Who has been the greatest influence on your cricket career?
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Originally Posted by Graeme Aldridge Probably my father, and also my first Northern Districts coach - Chris Kuggelijn. |
Q13.Are there any young players around that you are aware of that could be knocking on the door for Test selection in the future?
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Originally Posted by Graeme Aldridge BJ Watling from Northern Districts and Jesse Ryder from Wellington. |
Q14. What is your nickname, and how did you get it?
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Originally Posted by Graeme Aldridge My nickname is G. My mates at school gave it to me and it has stuck. |
Q15. If you were given the opportunity, what would you change in order to improve the standard of state cricket?
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Originally Posted by Graeme Aldridge I would take it back to 2 full rounds of four dayers. {Currently, States play each other once and the top two teams play in a Final} Also, I'd like to get consistently better wickets and practice facilities around the whole of NZ. |
Q16. What do you think you need to do to get noticed by John Bracewell and the other national team selectors?
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Originally Posted by Graeme Aldridge I think I need to swing the ball when I bowl, and rack up hauls of wickets more consistently. |
Q17. What aspirations do you have outside of cricket?
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Originally Posted by Graeme Aldridge I'm getting married in September. Also to finish my teaching degree and use that as another career option. |
Q18. With the retirement of Chris Cairns, who is now the 'father figure' of the NZ side, that all you can all look to for inspiration and advice?
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Originally Posted by Graeme Aldridge I haven't played for the Black Caps so I cant really comment but i would imagine it would now be Scott Styris, knowing what a nice guy he is. |
Q19. How much would playing for a New Zealand 'A' Team mean to you? Do you see the 'A' team as a stepping stone to full honours, or as a side-show detracting from State and full international cricket?
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Originally Posted by Graeme Aldridge Playing for the A team meant a lot to me as it was my first NZ team I had played for so there is a sense that you are representing your country. I see the A team as a stepping stone to higher honours, but also sitting alongside domestic cricket. I dont think it detracts from it at all. |
Q20. How much influence did your father's career in cricket have on you? How did he influence you?
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Originally Posted by Graeme Aldridge To be honest not much at all. I am proud that my father also played First Class cricket, but growing up it wasn't something that he or I really talked about. His love for the game has obviously passed over to me but he has always let me find things out for myself rather than bogging me down with how they used to do it in his day. |
Q21. You have studied at Waikato University in Teaching whilst also having a professional career as a cricketer, what difficulties has presented you in both your studies and your cricket, and how have you overcome those difficulties?
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Originally Posted by Graeme Aldridge It hasnt been too bad. There has only been a clash of about 2-3 weeks at the end of cricket / start of University each year. I have overcome this by having some helpful lecturers up at Waikato University and some good friends in my classes who help me catch up. I try to keep them as separate as possible and each gives me a break from the other. |
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Once again, many thanks to Graeme for his answers, and also to his state, Northern Districts for setting up the interview. I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing him luck for his studies in the off season, and for another successful year with the ball next year!