Joseph Yovich is a selected member of the WAT New Zealand A Team 2005/6.

Joseph Yovich is a selected member of the WAT New Zealand A Team 2005/6. Thanks to his New Zealand state team, Northern Districts and Vince Stockdale, ND's Commercial Operations Manager, we were able to get in contact with Joseph and pose him a few questions in order for us to find out a little bit about him and his background. Joseph fulfils the integral all-rounder role for Northern Districts and so far in his career he's scored over 2,500 First Class runs at a decent average of 28.84. For his bowling, he has taken over 200 wickets at 31.14, including a best haul of 7 for 64. His highest batting score is 144. His bowling style is right arm medium-fast and he bats left handed. To put these averages in perspective, it is very rare to average over 40 with the bat in New Zealand due to the conditions being slightly more favourable to the bowler than in some other countries. For example, Joseph's team mate Hamish Marshall, who has been successful in the test arena, averages only 28.04 at state level!

Q1. How were you first introduced to cricket, and what about the game got you hooked?

Joseph Yovich: I firstly got into cricket through my late father. He was involved in the City Cricket Club in Whangarei as a player then as a club captain, president and life member.  From a very young age I was down at the club living, breathing and mixing with gentlemen involved in the city cricket club.  Those experiences and interaction with the game got me hooked and created my love for the game.

Q2. What hobbies/sports do you get up to when not playing or training for cricket?

Joseph: I have an architectural degree outside of the game which I achieved via correspondence whilst I was still playing cricket.  The building industry and development within Whangarei is something that I am involved in and holds a high interest for me.  Whilst young I enjoyed playing table tennis to a high level.  I follow all sports with interest, especially rugby and martial arts which is a field in which I find a challenge in which I enjoy participating.

Apart from that I enjoy time out at my bach up North, and generally just spending time with friends and family.

Q3. Who are your favourite cricketers of all time, and which cricketer do you think influenced your own style the most?

Joseph: I really don’t have anyone in particular who I look up to as a cricketer but there are a lot of cricketers out there who I respect and I enjoy the way in which they play the game.  My late father was my biggest influence in the game right from a young age.  I always enjoyed watching players who were prepared to fight and never give up, such as Dion Nash.  I was fortunate enough to play with him and against him and you always knew you were in for a battle.

Q4. What advice would you give to youngsters to encourage them to take up cricket?

Joseph: Just to train and play with a purpose. There is a lot of opportunities in the game that if you were prepared to work hard makes life fun in general. Also, remember to enjoy what you are doing, because if you’re not there’s no point in doing it.

Q5. What has been your own personal highlight from your career so far?

Joseph: It would have to be the friendships I have made along the way and the camaraderie that I have been part of with successful teams.  Those will be with me for the rest of my life and friends throughout the country and world that I can look up and catch up with at any stage.  That’s special.

Q6. Who are the best players you have played with and against?

Joseph: I was fortunate enough to play the Australians in the 1999/2000 season when they were a totally dominant force on the world stage and their players were at their peak.

The best players I have played with would have to be during my early years with my ND side.  We had a group of guys who were not only good as players but had created an environment that was enjoyable to be part of and from that the cricket that was expressed on the field was winning cricket.  Great to be part of!

Q7. How important do you think training and participating in matches overseas is? What overseas teams have you played for and what have you learnt from the experience?

Joseph: I think that’s up to the individual’s preference, I personally enjoy having my winters off away from the game, to give my body some time to recover and refreshed. Hence, I haven't played for any overseas teams..

Q8. How important is the relationship between keeper and bowler in the taking of wickets?

Joseph: I think it is a relationship you tend to grow with over time.  I was able to create a neat relationship with Rob Hart over time to a point where he ended up knowing my bowling game inside out and we were able to work together and assist in taking wickets for the team.

Q9. What are your views on 20:20 cricket, and do you think there is sufficient cricket played at the state level in New Zealand?

Joseph: I think there’s definitely a place for 20Twenty cricket.  I would just hate to see it replace 50 over cricket.  I think it has a place in the format but should only be played in a short period of time such as a home and away series with finals and that’s it.  The great thing I have found this year is that it has attracted fans to the game and has created a great interest which is all positive.

Q10. When you retire as a player what career path are you likely to take - coaching, administration, media or something outside of cricket?

Joseph: I would definitely like to put something back in the game, what area I don’t know as of yet

Q11. What is your opinion on overseas players playing in State cricket?

Joseph: I think there a place for them but I just don’t feel that can be considered in the domestic contract system.

Q12. Who has been the greatest influence on your cricket career?

Joseph: My late father.

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?

Joseph: Probably the likes of Ross Taylor from the CD area and Jesse Ryder [of Wellington] are knocking on the door and with their continued development and consistent performances we will see them playing a role in NZ Cricket.

Q14. What is your nickname, and how did you get it?

Joseph: “Joey” – I'm not really a hundred percent sure about how it came about, but I think it came from a group of gentleman up in Whangarei, Northland which was when I was a young fella.

Q15. If you were given the opportunity, what would you change in order to improve the standard of state cricket?

Joseph: I'd just like a couple of extra rounds of the State Championship.

Q16. What do you think you need to do to get noticed by John Bracewell and the other national team selectors?

Joseph: I think I just need to continue to put together consistent performances at the domestic level.  Good things come to those who wait!

Q17. What aspirations do you have outside of cricket?

Joseph: To keep loving life and too keep challenging myself for whatever lies ahead

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?

Joseph: I don’t believe there is a father figure in the Black Caps.  If anything, I think there is a core of senior players who need to continue to set the benchmark.

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?

Joseph: Obviously, its another stepping stone into forcing a way into the Black Caps through once again consistent performance. If the A side is selected to give fringe players experience in conditions that they will strike playing for the Black Caps, then that is the way forward.  I think that domestic cricket still needs to stay strong and be a pathway into the representative teams.

Q20. How much do awards such as your 'Northern Districts Bowler of the Year' awards mean to you?

Joseph: Obviously it’s a real honour to receive acknowledgement for the all hard work and training that has gone into my career with ND.

Q21. Do you think the perception that New Zealand picks 'a team of all rounders' give you a potential edge for national team selection?

Joseph: It’s important that we pick horses for courses in that we should pick specialists and also so that we don’t put all our eggs on one basket.

Q22. What gives you more satisfaction, scoring a century or taking a wicket?

Joseph: I train hard to achieve both of them and believe that it’s important not to place one above the other.

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Once again, many thanks to Joseph for spending his time answering our question. Once again, thanks also go to his state, Northern Districts for allowing us to interview him. I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing him luck for a successful year with both bat and ball next year!

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Joseph Yovich - This photograph is the reproduced with the kind permission of Northern Districts and Joseph Yovich. The photograph is the property of Northern Districts and Joseph Yovich and should only be reproduced with their permission.