Quick success with bat: A word with Ryan McCone

9th April 2009

CANTERBURY'S Ryan McCone, 21, THE FIRST NEW ZEALAND CRICKETER TO SCORE A CENTURY AT NO. 9 ON FIRST-CLASS DEBUT, TALKS TO NICK TOLERTON

WAS THE 102 AGAINST OTAGO LAST WEEK YOUR CAREER BEST? Equal. I got 102 not out once when I was 12 or 13! For Cathedral Grammar School against, I think, Halswell in the morning competitions. Definitely a few years ago. What was the secret of that sensational innings? Keeping things pretty simple. Marty Kain, who was a debutant the week before and plays for the same club as me, Lancaster Park-Woolston, got 24 in his first game, and my plan was to go out and beat his score - otherwise I wouldn't hear the end of it for the rest of winter. I took a long time to get off the mark - I would have faced at least 25 balls before I did - and copped a bit of flak for that, but once I got going it was fine.

HOW HAS YOUR BATTING GONE IN CLUB CRICKET? I've struggled with the bat this year. I haven't got that many runs. I don't know why that was, but it was a big difference getting on a nice wicket.

YOU'RE ACTUALLY A BOWLER? Yes, left-arm medium-fast sort of bowler. I've always batted a wee bit, but not the last few years. I grew up as a batsman until I was 15 or 16, and then I was too small and a bit intimidated by the bigger boys going into the First XI at St Andrew's, and I was put down the order.

WHERE DO YOU BAT FOR LANCASTER PARK? Everywhere. I've had a few cracks at opening, No. 3, but usually 7, 8, or 9 are my spots. Hopefully that might change now!

ANY OTHER SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS THIS SUMMER? No, but last year I was the competition's leading club wicket-taker for combined one-day and two-day with, I think, 45. But this year I've done a few changes to my bowling action. I'm not getting as many club wickets but I feel I'm a better bowler. I've been training with the Canterbury boys for a few years now, and they've been helping me out with little things that probably won't get noticed in club cricket, the coaches have told me.

GOALS FOR NEXT SEASON? Obviously getting the runs will make me look at my batting a lot more seriously over winter, and do a lot more work on it. I've always taken it seriously, but always thought I have been a bit under performing with the bat.

WHAT DO YOU DO AWAY FROM CRICKET? I'm a student and doing double degree in law and commerce at Canterbury. I'm in my fourth year.

WHAT'S THE FUNNIEST THING YOU'VE SEEN ON THE FIELD? One of my teammates in the Year 9A team at St Andrew's College was a rather large boy. There were a few overthrows and he had to run five - and he had to come off 'retired hurt' because he was so tired. Brilliant!

FAVOURITE MOVIE? Wedding Crashers.

DONE THAT YOURSELF? No!

TV? Two and a Half Men is probably my favourite at the moment.

MUSIC? I like a bit of Kiwi music. Salmonella Dub, I really enjoy them.

THE LAST BOOK YOU READ? My coach recommended it - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Haven't quite finished it yet.

FAVOURITE FOOD? Any pasta dish.

IDEAL NIGHT OUT? Depends if we win. A few beers are always nice. Apart from that, I love relaxing and watching any other sport. I love the rugby league.

FAVOURITE TEAMS OUTSIDE CRICKET? I love the Brisbane Broncos and the Warriors, and I support the Crusaders when they're winning!

HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Um, probably Momorangi Bay in the Sounds, although I haven't been there for a few years.

DO YOU PLAY ANY OTHER SPORTS? I've given nearly every sport a crack. I love playing squash and I've played a bit of rugby. I've played indoor cricket for New Zealand at under-age level, and this year I'm playing soccer for Burnside with a few boys from cricket. I've always loved sport. My dad Paul McCone played representative league and I played for Linwood league club when I was young.

DROP SOME TEAMMATES IN IT. WHO'S YOUR TEAM STIRRER? For Canterbury, the funniest guy would be Leighton Burtt. Closely followed by Marty Kain. Marty targets one food a day when he's playing, and he had eight Powerades on his first day up in New Plymouth when we were playing Central Districts. He got a bit excited on that and woke up with a sugar hangover the next day.

WHO SPENDS MOST TIME IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR? At Lancaster Park, Andrew Duncan.

FASHION LEADER? My captain at Lancaster Park who also plays for Canterbury, Andy Ellis. Just his shoes. Shiny shoes.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE ELECTRONIC GADGET? Definitely the iPod, need the music with me. The laptop's also good value, but I use that for university so that means it's a bit boring!