OTOROHANGA Raptors opener Leighton Parsons hammers one down the ground on his way to 194 not out against Cambridge. PHOTO: BRAYDEN LINDSAY
Ōtorohanga’s Leighton Parsons is buzzing with excitement, and rightly so.
This weekend, he is travelling to Christchurch as part of the New Zealand A Over 40s men’s team to play two matches against New Zealand and Australia respectively.
He heads south full of confidence after belting 194 not-out against Cambridge in their Waikato Valley two-day match last weekend.
“I am heading down there as an opener, so I am happy that I managed to spend plenty of time in the middle on Saturday. I was happy with the knock.”
It was his fourth club hundred of the season and his highest score for the Raptors, leaving him just short of the 203 he belted for Northern Māori a few seasons back.
Parsons said the level of cricket in Christchurch’s Hagley Nursery would be high.
“You have guys like Pete Connell and James and Hamish Marshall, who were all international cricketers in the New Zealand team, so that’s a daunting challenge.
“Although no Australian representatives are in the Australian side, they still have plenty of players with first class experience. I am excited for the battle.”
Parsons heads to Christchurch with a specific goal – bat as long as possible.
“If I can bat long periods and do my job then that’s a good thing for the team. Opening the batting is a challenge, so I just want to help my team into the best positions I can.”
Also a talented medium pace bowler, Parsons has been told he won’t be required.
“I don’t mind not having to bowl. It’s nice going down to Christchurch and knowing my role is to take the shine off the ball and bat for long periods.”
Parsons considers the chance to represent his country at 42 a huge honour.
“It’s not something I ever thought I would get to do, especially when I retired from representative cricket.”
His selection came after he was part of Districts over 40s men’s team that finished third at a national over 40s tournament in November last year.
Parsons batted well at the tournament notching up a half century in one of the games and bowled tidily in Blenheim.
“It was one of the best tournaments I have been to. Everything was superb – the cricket, the grass wickets, the venues. It was a fantastic event to be part of and hopefully they can continue to have it for years to come.
“There were some fantastic cricketers, and it was just a good all-round challenge.”
Making the trip all the more important is the fact that four players from Parsons’ New Zealand A lineup will be added to the top team for the World Cup in Pakistan in November.
“It’s a huge carrot for us A boys. It gives these two games down in Christchurch so much more meaning. I will be going out there to do as well as I can like I do in every game.”
While the weather hasn’t been ideal for Parsons in his preparation for Christchurch, with Ōtorohanga and several other teams he plays for having fixtures abandoned due to rain, he’s been working hard on his fitness.
“I wanted to make sure I was as fit as possible for this tournament. When the crunch comes, and I am feeling fit I will be able to fight through and not be exhausted.”
