Local cricketer in NZ under 19 squad

By Frank Neill

Ngaio opening batsman and wicketkeeper Alex Thompson has been selected in the New Zealand squad that will contest cricket’s under 19 World Cup.

Alex is in the 14-man squad that will travel to Darwin next month to play in the World Cup qualifier. This tournament will decide who makes the World Cup competition, which will be played in Sri Lanka in January.

As a wicketkeeper and opening batsman, Alex is following in the footsteps of Tom Latham, one of the players he follows. A Black Caps opening batsman and wicketkeeper, Tom has also captained the New Zealand team.

The two players who have had a big impact on his cricket, however, are Brendon Mc Cullum and B J Watling, Alex says.

“Brendon was a big one for me. I liked the way he batted.”

B J Watling provided him with some invaluable coaching, showing him how to improve his batting performance.

One of the biggest contributors to Alex’s high performances has been Ivan Tissera, who stepped down last year from his role as Cricket Wellington’s youth development coach.

“Ivan did a lot for me,” Alex says.

“He has contributed a great deal to my success and has done a lot for me throughout my years playing cricket.”

Alex’s selection comes in the wake of a long string of representative performances.

The most recent was when he played for Te Whanganui-a –Tara men’s team in the inaugural National ri tournament last month.

Alex helped Te Whanganuia-Tara to second placing in the tournament when he finished as one of the top run scorers. His tally included two half centuries.

His performances in the tournament saw Alex selected in the New Zealand team.

Alex has represented Wellington for some years, having been selected in the under 15, under 17 and under 19 teams.

He has also represented Wellington in indoor cricket, again in the under 15, under 17 and under 19 teams, as well as the under 22 team.

His selection in the New Zealand under 19 squad is not his first time representing his country, however, as he played for the New Zealand under 17 indoor cricket team.

“I started playing [cricket] when I was seven or eight, but I had a bat in my hand when I was really young.

“I had a bat in my hand in kindy and I’ve got a few photos of it,” he says.

After kindergarten, Alex was a student at Ngaio School, Raroa Intermediate School and Onslow College.

He currently plays cricket for Karori, although he started playing with Onslow and last year won the award as the Onslow Junior Player of the Year.

Alex’s aim is to play cricket at the top level.

“Definitely my end goal would be to play for the Black Caps,” he says.

The New Zealand under 19 team needs to qualify for the World Cup after opting out of the 2022 tournament to protect the well-being of young players, given thestringent MIQ regulations they wouldhave been required to undergo upon their return.

The squad will join Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu in the qualifying pool, with the top team qualifying for the World Cup.

Yoga class

A new y og a cl ass, run by Anna Briggs has come to the Newlands Community Centre.

The classes are held on Monday evenings from 7 to 8pm and started on 8 May.

The cost is $84 for the f ull term (seven weeks) or $14 a class.

Yoga can bring about many benefits including peace of mind, enhanced emotional state as well as increased strength and flexibility in the body.

Pink Ribbon

A Pink Ribbon morning tea will be held at the Newlands Community Centre at 10am on 25 May. The morning tea is being held as part of breast cancer awareness. People attending are asked to make a gold coin donation, with all the proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Foundation.