POSTCARDS FROM EUROPE: Craig Baldry and Ben Pomare Making Waves Abroad

The Mount Maunganui Cricket Club takes immense pride in nurturing talented cricketers who strive for excellence both on and off the field. This Winter, we have two exceptional club members who have ventured overseas to test their skills and embrace new cricketing experiences. Craig Baldry, an accomplished off-spin bowler, has embarked on an exciting journey with Eckington Cricket Club in Derbyshire, England, while Ben Pomare, a skilled wicket-keeper, has found himself donning the colors of Kampong Cricket Club in the Netherlands.

Craig, hailing from England himself, has returned to his birthplace to showcase his prowess on the cricket field. Having spent six successful seasons representing our beloved Mount Maunganui Cricket Club, Craig's decision to play for Eckington has proven to be a remarkable choice. In his current campaign, Craig has already made his mark, claiming an impressive 25 wickets at a phenomenal average of 16.84. His standout performance includes a remarkable 6-wicket haul.

On the other hand, Ben Pomare, a rising star behind the stumps, has set his sights on the Netherlands, representing Kampong Cricket Club. With his exceptional skills as a wicket-keeper and a batting average of 24.55, Ben has proved to be a valuable asset to his new team. His highest score of 100 is a testament to his ability to dominate the crease, while his 30 dismissals in 14 matches showcase his agility and precision behind the stumps.

Both Craig and Ben's journeys abroad have provided them with unique opportunities to further refine their cricketing abilities and broaden their horizons. They have encountered new challenges, adapted to different playing styles, and embraced the rich cricketing cultures of their respective countries. Beyond the boundaries, they have also delved into the local lifestyles, immersing themselves in new experiences and forging connections that transcend the game.

In this interview, Craig and Ben share their motivations, recount memorable matches, shed light on their personal growth, and reflect on the cultural differences they have encountered. Join us as we delve into their incredible journeys, gaining insights into their adventures both on and off the cricket field.

• What motivated you to play cricket in a different country, and how has the experience been so far?

Craig “I was motivated by the whole idea really, getting to travel to a country on the other side of the world to play a game you love was a no-brainer, all the other things are a bonus. I have really enjoyed the experience so far. It has been something very different, with its challenges at times but overall the experience has been a positive one.”

Ben “I’ve always wanted to play club cricket overseas especially having a taste of playing cricket in Australia and South Africa numerous times. Cricket wise so far has been tough adjusting to the different conditions especially playing on artificial matting that isn’t concrete based but it’s part of the game and had to work out how to score runs on those surfaces.”

• How does the cricket culture and playing style differ in England/Holland compared to New Zealand?

Craig “Contrary to popular opinion it hasn't been the pitches that have surprised me the most, for the most part, they aren't green and are very similar to New Zealand wickets. The biggest difference between the two would-be the sheer size of club cricket over here both by playing numbers, leagues, clubs etc, and the finances that go along with it. Many clubs boast beautiful clubhouses and grounds, the latter of which are very rarely flat, and they are also able to 'pay' a lot of players, making club cricket semi-professional.”

Ben “The cricket culture at Kampong is slightly different to back home. It’s very community based and family based as the youth play for the club and not their school. The playing style is a bit different here, you often see a lot of block bash cricket.”

• Can you share any memorable experiences or matches you've had while playing for Eckington/Kampong cricket club?

Craig  “Unfortunately, there haven't been too many matches to write home about at the halfway stage of the season after winning just 2 out of 13 1st Xi fixtures. But the most memorable would have to be our last win against Dunstall in which I was able to bowl my side to victory by taking a 6-wicket bag. Off the field, there have been plenty of good memories after some top club nights.”

Ben “The most memorable match for me so far would be scoring my first hundred for the club. Was good to put a performance on the board and more importantly continue our good form in the t20 competition.”

• How has playing abroad improved your skills and understanding of the game?

Craig “Whenever and wherever you're playing cricket you're always improving. It's one of those games you can just keep getting better at. For me, playing so many games has really helped my knowledge of situations, and by bowling against batsmen I have never seen before I have had to make adjustments quicker than before.”

Ben “In terms of physical skills I don’t think much has changed but it has made me come back to my mental process and be more disciplined with it as the conditions here can be unpredictable.”

• How have you adapted to the lifestyle and culture in England/Holland? Any interesting experiences or challenges you faced?

Craig “ I don't think the culture between the UK and NZ differs too much, especially when compared to other countries. The most noticeable difference is the population and ancient history. It's been the adaptation to my lifestyle that has changed the most, as it is something completely different for me to be doing, and being in a foreign land adds to that overall experience. I find it very interesting, however, learning about new cultures, people, places, etc you're always learning and gaining knowledge.”

Ben “The biggest lifestyle change for me would be biking everywhere and using public transportation which is completely different to back home.”

• What are some of your favorite places to visit or activities to do in your new country during your free time?

Craig “I'm right on the doorstep of the peak district so have spent a bit of time there, it's about the only place in the Uk I've been where the views can compete with NZ. Other than that I've done a few midweek trips around the place but usually spend my time with people in and around the club.”

Ben “My favorite place to go is right in the city center in Utrecht. A place called the Neude where all the bars combine on one square and sit there and have a few beers. Also biking around the city along the canals and looking at all the old buildings.

• How do you balance your cricket commitments with your personal life and other interests?

Craig “Finding a balance is in my opinion one of the biggest challenges in life and like cricket I don't think it's something one can perfect. I suppose in some ways I've been lucky to fall into a relatively quiet area, mixed in with a job, coaching, and my own cricket/training means my weeks are very busy but there's still time on the weekend to chill and enjoy the club atmosphere.”

Ben “At the moment I’ve got a fair bit of free time so it’s easy to balance cricket and commitments outside of that.

• Have you had the opportunity to explore any local cuisines or try new foods in England/Holland? Any favorites?

Craig “Traditional English cuisine leaves a lot to be desired, which is probably why you can easily find any other type of food from around the world. However, there are some standouts, not much can beat a supermarket meal deal consisting of a main, snack, and drink, other personal favorites have been Yorkshire pies and puddings and an English breakfast with black pudding. I'm missing the occasional L&P but Irn-Bru and Rubicon have been decent replacements.”

Ben “I’ve been eating a lot of Dutch food, mainly stroopwafels which are a thin waffle with caramel inside and also croquettes.”

• Can you tell us about any cultural differences or similarities you've noticed between New Zealand and your current country?

Craig “New Zealand being a British colony means there are a lot of similarities between the two most noticeably of course the language. This however can be a struggle to understand at times with the accent changing so much across the country. Despite being similar, another very noticeable difference is the quite fast-paced lives many people live over here, especially in the large cities. Itt is a stark contrast to the free and relaxed nature of NZ. But above all the population factor is the biggest difference, the entire country is littered with small villages and the roads are at times a nightmare.”

Ben “The biggest cultural difference that I have noticed is that people in the Netherlands are very open to having a conversation with anyone on the street”

Craig Baldry and Ben Pomare's journeys abroad have been filled with cricketing challenges, personal growth, cultural immersion, and unforgettable moments. Their experiences highlight the transformative power of cricket, fostering connections beyond borders and broadening horizons. As they continue to represent Mount Maunganui Cricket Club in their respective host countries. The Mount Maunganui Cricket Club is proud of their achievements and eagerly awaits their return, enriched by their overseas adventures.