SPINNING THE BALL AND SWINGING THE BAT!

 

 

Q&A by Ian Hodgson

 

 

Name: Gareth Durdin

 

Position: First-team player

 

Bat/Bowl: I'm a spin bowler and I can bat lower down the order. Usually I come in anywhere between 8 and 11.

 

Strengths as a batsmen: Batting lower down the order I can be a very attacking player. I'm not a batter as such but I can get runs.

 

Highest batting score: 70-odd not out.

 

Most memorable individual performance: One highlight that sticks out would be when I got seven wickets against Primrose Hill last year. Also when I finished with 40 not out against Hall Bower to see us through. Hall Bower batted first and scored 300 but we managed to knock the runs off to win.

 

Year you joined BOCC: In 1993 when I was 18 years old I came up here to Huddersfield University and never went home. I then joined the club in 1996 when I was 21. 

 

Originally from: Leicestershire, where I played youth team cricket until I left home.

 

How you got into cricket: My dad used to play so I would go and watch him and then I started to play cricket myself from a young age.

 

Hopes and targets for this year: To get promoted into the top flight. On a personal note I would like to get at least 40 wickets, which gets you into the handbook.

 

Highs: The first year I came we won the Paddock Shield, beating Elland at their ground (above), which was the highpoint of being in the second team.

 

Lows: Getting relegated from the premiership was the biggest.

 

Chance of promotion this year: I think we've got a really strong team this year and we were really close last year. We've got nine genuine first-teamers along with a new professional and a new captain so we've got a good chance.

 

Memorable catch: I took a one-handed catch at Kirkheaton.

 

The future for yourself: It’s definitely on the up! If we get promoted this year it will be good for all of us. I can see staying here as long as possible, I live locally and I really like the place and the club.  I will continue to help with the running of the club as well, which is important.  I help run the bar with my friend as well so whether we go up or stay where we are, I'll still be here because it's a good friendly club.

 

The future of the club: As long as we keep looking after the junior side, and if we get promoted we’ll attract enough quality players to the club, I think we’ll do well. We need to be in the first division, because every junior side has had success, the second team got promoted two years ago and the first team have missed out twice now so it's about time the first team had something to shout about.