Nick,how did you arrive in Oxfordshire and what are you doing while you are here ?

Having completed my PhD in Brisbane, Australia and working for a year in research I decided that it was a good time to travel, both personally and it is also encouraged for research scientists to travel abroad and learn new skills in a different environment.  My partner, who also completed her PhD at the same university, held similar ideas and before we knew it we both had job offers at the Medical Research Council in Harwell. I’m currently working on a candidate target for treating diabetes type II.

 Where do you hail from and what do you miss most about your place of birth ?

Having grown up in Brisbane I was accustomed to a culture involving trips to the beach for a surf whenever cricket wasn’t on, as well as anything outdoors on the weekend (golf, tennis, rugby). Things are obviously different here, but we are enjoying the history associated with Oxford and the great countryside surroundings. Although I am suffering major withdrawals to visit the beach on a hot day!

Tell us a bit about your cricket history and pedigree ! What clubs have you played for in Aus and what level did you play ? Which Aussie stars have you played alongside ?

I’ve have been a mad cricket lover since I was 6 and I joined my local cricket club at 9. I joined the University of Queensland Cricket Club when I was 14 and played for the same club for ten years right up until the time that I left Australia. Along the way I was fortunate enough to be involved with a series of Queensland development squads, which included players such as Shane Watson and James Hopes who have since moved on to represent Australia.  
    At UQCC I played in 5 different teams over ten years. Under 16 age restricted, 4^th, 3^rd, 2^nd and 1^st grade. Playing in 1^st grade is obviously the highest level of cricket that I achieved and I’m proud to have played games with Australian representatives Michael Kasprowicz and Martin Love. Making 1^st grade at UQ was no easy task and apart from Michael and Martin much of the side is composed of very good cricketers who are Queensland and fringe Queensland representatives looking to play cricket at a professional level.
    My progress through the grades was not straightforward and it included ups and downs. Most of the promotions were based on consistent scores over at least a season. Its also a reflection that you don’t need to go straight to the highest level and that you can learn a lot by playing a senior role in your team before stepping up to the next grade.

Which other famous “CCCC imports” have you played with in Aus ?

It’s no coincidence that I am playing with CCCC now. In Brisbane I have played in the same teams as Steve Farrell, Mark Ellison, Dan Maroske and Michael Phillipson who have all spent time at CCCC and who all speak highly of the club.

Any other interests outside cricket ?

My interests outside of cricket are surfing, golf, tennis and anything competitive. I try to participate in charity runs to keep up my fitness and I love travelling.

What are your hopes and aspirations for CCCC this season ? What are your perceptions on how we can progress as a club this season ?

I’d like to see all our teams in the top four with two games to go. All the teams have the players and the skills to achieve this. The trick is getting the full potential out of each player every game. This last point especially refers to the first team. I think last season they had the skills they just didn’t reach their potential.

How will you be looking for the club to train and play this season and do you have any new "traditions" that you would like to get people to subscribe to ?

I’d like to bring some techniques that have developed naturally at UQCC regarding Team training and individual preparation. By training once a week together as a unit I’d like to see a bond within the team. I think this is already a healthy aspect within the teams at CCCC. Players enjoy their cricket and they enjoy the company of their mates in the club.   
    I’d like to help players develop their skills individually and in pairs or threes. Without relying on an overburdened Ted (who does a fantastic job helping with technique and skills) there are some tasks that players can do at training that can help fine tune their game for the weekend.
    I will also be looking to introduce some match day routines that will build on the work done in the week and hopefully gives us an extra edge over our opponents.

 Thanks Nick and we all wish you every success in your leadership of the First team this season.