Brandon Hiini is a selected member of the WAT New Zealand A Team 2006/07.

Currently, Brandon is playing in the Lancashire Leagues in the UK for Enfield; which has seen him pitted against his own State Captain, Chris Harris. Later on in the season, he will be going head-to-head against in-form Cantabrian Michael Papps.

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

Brandon Hiini: Rugby has been the main sport in my family with my father playing for New Zealand Maori and Southland and cousin playing for the Canterbury Crusaders and All Blacks, so my family are unsure where my cricketing genes have come from! I first started playing when I was 5, when my mum joined me up at Sumner cricket club in Christchurch. It was great because all of my mates from school played so we always looked forward to getting down to St Leonard’s square and having a run around after school. There was many a battle down there, at someone’s house, or of course in the school playground. I guess it was the fact that my mates played and that we used to have so much fun was the reason I became hooked, and I was half decent which, as a youngster, you are always going to enjoy something you are good at.

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

Brandon: I love playing golf so whenever I have any spare time I will try and head out for a round. I love anything to do with a ball or racquet. I played rugby up until a few years ago, and also play squash and tennis as often as I can. I am currently playing for Enfield CC in the Lancashire League in the UK so when I get back myself and a few mates are going to join up at a bowling club (Lawn Bowls) so that will be fun.

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

Brandon: Shane Warne would have to be my favourite, simply because he has revolutionised the game and brought back the art of spin bowling, which up until his emergence was really struggling. Also his cricketing brain, and his planning for each batsman and then the precision with which he carried out those plans have never been seen before, he is a genius. The likes of Ricky Ponting, Glenn McGrath, Chris Cairns and Shane Bond are also right up there for me.
 
In terms of my own style, I am not really sure which cricketer, if any, has influenced my own style? Glenn McGrath and Shaun Pollock have been the finest exponents of pace bowling so I would say I have looked at what they do, while Geoff Allott who used to play for NZ has helped me a lot with my bowling. I have always liked watching Nathan Astle bat so maybe I have tried to emulate some of the things he does, whilst I can't help looking at Kevin Pietersen for attitude and mental toughness.

Q4. What advice would you give to youngsters to encourage them to take up cricket?
 
Brandon: Have fun! Not everyone will go on to become a professional cricketer but give it a good go and find out if you enjoy it or not! The biggest thing when you’re a youngster is enjoyment, so it helps if you are playing with your friends. Coaches have a huge role to play in keeping kids in cricket too. 

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

Brandon: Obviously making my first class debut and taking 5 wickets on debut and then making my maiden first class hundred in my second game, it really was a dream start, and probably one I didn’t fully appreciate until recently.

Q6. Who are the best players you have played with and against?
 
Brandon: With: Shane Bond, Nathan Astle, Chris Harris and against V.V.S Laxman, Chris Cairns, Richie Richardson

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?

Brandon: It has had a massive impact for me, so personally I think its pretty important. I have been to the UK 3 times playing for Ashtead CC, Albury CC, and currently Enfield CC, My time overseas has been invaluable for my cricket, especially my batting.

Q8. Is there anything in your career to do that you would have done differently if you were given a second chance?
 
Brandon: Not really, however the one thing would have been to have recognised my batting talents earlier, backed myself and worked harder on that area of my game.

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?

Brandon: I had my first taste of it this season (06/07) and I loved it. Its a great innovation and is massive in the UK so hopefully NZ follows suit. We had some big crowds to our 20/20 games which was great to play in front of, so it definitely brings in the crowds and I’m sure it will become more popular in NZ as time goes on. I think the one round plus the final was a good format.

Q10. What is your opinion on overseas players playing in State cricket?
 
Brandon: I think it’s fine if you have a good overseas [player]. By that I mean, someone who is willing to pass on their experiences to the younger/less experienced players and someone who will lead on and off the field.

Q11. Who has been the greatest influence on your cricket career?
 
Brandon: Early on it was definitely my mum!! Driving me around everywhere to games, and buying me all the latest cricket gear that I just had to have! Then I would say my good mate Andrew Ellis who I used to train with a lot when I hadn't played for Canterbury and he was, I think he saw something in me that the selectors hadn't at that stage, and then the current Canterbury Coach Dave Nosworthy who was the one who gave me the chance I was after.

Q12. Are there any young players around that you are aware of that could be knocking on the door for Test selection in the future?
 
Brandon: A guy by name of Neil Broom. He's a good mate of mine, we used to play club cricket together until he moved to Otago to get regular game time. He has always had the talent, but has recently been turning in the sort of performances everyone knew he could.

Q13. What is your nickname, and how did you get it?
 
Brandon: Hiino, and obviously its just my surname with a bit of a difference.

Q14. If you were given the opportunity, what would you change in order to improve the standard of state cricket?
 
Brandon: I think, considering our population (and its not an excuse) that we do pretty well and that generally the standard of our first class cricket is pretty good. The wickets used to do too much and were too bowler friendly, but recently they have gone too far the other way to the point where they don’t bounce and getting wickets is virtually impossible. We played a game at QE11 in Christchurch where we made roughly 615/6 and they chased it down, so some of the wickets do need to be looked at.

Q15. What do you think you need to do to get noticed by John Bracewell and the other national team selectors?
 
Brandon:I guess most people would say the same thing, just put the performances on the board so they have to take note and look at you, its as simple as that.

Q16. What aspirations do you have outside of cricket?
 
Brandon: I have finished one degree and have a few papers to complete my Law Degree so I want to get that finished at some stage. I have been accepted into the NZ Police Force so I may look to join at some stage after cricket is finished.

Q17. How you ever coached any cricket? If you have, how have you found the experience?
 
Brandon: Yes I have done quite a lot of coaching; I have a NZ Cricket Level 2 Coaching Certificate. I was a coaching development officer for Canterbury Cricket between my studies at university and have always enjoyed coaching. 

Q18. 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?
 
Brandon: Of course I would love to play for NZ 'A', it is theoretically a NZ Second X1 so it would be massive for me. I do see it as a stepping-stone to international cricket and a vital one at that. They will be looking to see how you cope in a new environment; one that you’re not used to and one that is of a higher standard than you’re used to so its vital for both players and coaches, and definitely not a side show.

Q19. Why have you been such a relative latecomer to the First Class game? Do you feel this has helped in allowing you to achieve such spectacular results so quickly?
 
Brandon:  The Canterbury teams over the past 5 or so years have been incredibly strong with the likes of Astle, Bond, Harris, Cairns, McMillan, McCullum, Papps, Fulton etc so it has been a very strong side to break into. I felt 3 or 4 years ago that the selectors had got it wrong in not giving me a go in the second XI stuff, but I kept persevering and thankfully there was a change in coach and selectors and I got my opportunity and took it. I do feel that I was ready when my chance came, as I had put the results on the board year after year, so in a way the last Canterbury Coach and selectors did me a favour.

Q20. Do you see yourself primarily as a bowler or a batsman? Which do you spend more time focusing on and which do you think is more likely to get you noticed by the national selectors?
 
Brandon: I see myself as a bowler that bats. I have been working extremely hard on both areas of my game, especially my batting so that one day, (hopefully not too far away) I will be able to call myself a genuine all-rounder.

Q21. How disappointing was losing the State Championship final against Northerns this year, and what were the key moments which turned the final away from Canterbury?
 
Brandon: Its always disappointing to come up short in any final, and all of the lads wanted desperately to win it. However it was not to be and we couldn’t get the 20 wickets we needed. The wicket was incredibly flat and they had a good batting line-up. We were written off by nearly everyone at the start of the four-dayers as being too young and inexperienced so to make the final was a good effort from everyone. While we came 2nd, it will give the side a lot of confidence, and with a good side gaining valuable experience and confidence, and with some experienced old heads and a great coach, the silverware shouldn't be too far away.

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Once again, many thanks to Brandon for spending his time answering our questions. Thanks also go to his state, Canterbury and his coach, Dave Nosworthy 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 for Canterbury next year and that he has a successful season with Enfield in Lancashire