Adrian Seconi: How and when did you get your start?
Malcolm Jones: I started scoring in 1981, after a mate asked me if I'd help out with the Central Otago team he was managing. That was the finish of me - I've been doing it ever since.
AS: This is your 150th first-class game. Can you remember your first?
MJ: Yep. It was at Molyneux Park. Otago were playing Canterbury. The date was January 18-20, 1987. George Morris umpired it and it was Steve Dunne's first-class debut, as well. George (match referee) and I are still in the same building, and Steve and I have remained great friends. Actually, I scored in 35 first-class games and 50 one-day games that Steve umpired.
AS: What has kept you involved all this time?
MJ: Not too many people absolutely love their jobs. This is sport and I get paid to watch. That's just outstanding. It is a bit like you fellows - sports journalists. And cricket is just absolutely chocker full of great people.
AS: Molyneux Park has a special place in your heart. What is it about that venue?
MJ: It is the best cricket ground in the world, Molyneux Park. It is just a stunning place.
AS: You've been passionate about making sure Otago continues to play cricket in Alexandra. Why is it so important to you?
MJ: I just think it is important for major associations not to lose sight of the fact that they've got to reach out to [the districts]. They have to take cricket to the provinces, because then you are letting the kids - who are going to be playing the game in the future - watch their heroes. If you don't play in Alexandra, Invercargill, Oamaru or those places, the kids are just going to find something else to do.
AS: What makes a good scorer?
MJ: I think concentration, and good knowledge of the game and the laws.
AS: Are there any tricks of the trade when, say, there is an extra ball bowled during an over?
MJ: There is always six balls in an over. The umpire is the sole judge of what constitutes six balls.
AS: I always found that answer a little cryptic. What does that actually mean?
MJ: Exactly that. No, with the advent of the radio telephone, everybody is better informed. We can find out who made a catch from the umpire and we've had occasions in internationals where it looks like the umpires are going to continue on and have seven balls. It is only a matter of getting on the RT and saying ''Over''. If they call ''over'', you can say ''You've got one more to come''. We've got a real good rapport with the umpires. As I say, a huge number of them have become close personal friends over the years so you've got to look after them.
AS: How has cricket changed in the time you've been scoring?
MJ: Technology has changed. The professionalism and the contracting of players has changed. The game itself has not changed much, although there has been a huge improvement in fielding.
AS: Has there been a standout match, a favourite player or innings, something extra memorable in all those first-class games?
MJ: I've scored a number of double centuries now but one of the first I did was Ken Rutherford's 226 at Carisbrook against India. To score Hamish's [son of Ken] 239 was great. I guess the thing which really stands out for me is the people you meet. I've made lifelong friends out of the game.
AS: And your partner? You met Nic Armstrong scoring, didn't you?
MJ: She's been so supportive. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't still be scoring. [Scoring] is sort of what got us together. She did a couple of Central Otago games in the late '80s, early '90s and then got into some first-class games. There weren't a lot of scorers around then. Helen [Simpson, fellow long-time Otago scorer] and I may have done 50 or 60 first-class games together.
