Gibson looking for better opportunities

Jake Gibson is hoping to create better memories at the University of Otago Oval.

And that should not be too hard, given his history at the venue.

The 23-year-old all-rounder has been offered a playing contract for Otago next season.

He is making the move from Northern Districts, in the hope of getting more consistent game time.

No shame in that. When Northern Districts is at full strength it boasts a test line-up which includes Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Colin de Grandhomme.

That is the same lot playing in the World Test Championship final at the moment.

The competition for spots in Otago will not be quite as tough.

Gibson has basically claimed the spot vacated by Nathan Smith, who has signed with Wellington.

Smith’s departure is a blow but the arrival of Gibson should help offset some of that disappointment.

He has only played five list A games but took a five-wicket bag on debut, so he clearly has potential.

Gibson has also played a couple of games for a New Zealand XI side, so he is on the radar as a player to watch.

His first list A wicket was Finn Allen and we know how dangerous Allen is with the willow.

"That was against Auckland. I got a bit lucky," he said.

"I got [Allen] before he got real good."

The decision to move to Dunedin was not a tough call.

"I was just after more of an opportunity to play. Obviously, at ND there are quite a few Black Caps and all it takes is for one of them to play as a bowler and I’m on the sideline."

It was good timing, too. Gibson, who hails from Te Awamutu, is finishing a bachelor of business degree at the University of Waikato "so I can line up and have proper crack at it and see what I can do down there".

Gibson was supposed to make his list A debut in Dunedin against Otago but the game was rained off.

"And the next time I was down there was for another list A game and I slipped over when I was bowling my first ball and rolled my ankle.

"I didn’t play any further part."

Northern Districts had already batted and Gibson made a first-ball duck. All in all, it was not a particularly memorable match.

"I’ve got some work to do [making better memories], I think. It was a bit of a stitch up."

The right-armer is not sure what pace he is operating at but he has opened the bowling for the Knights.

His stock ball is the outswinger to the right-armer and he has an inswinger, as well.

"I’m a little bit skiddy. That’s what I’ve heard people say."

And as far has his batting goes, well, he says he does not like "to leave the ball too often".

"That probably tells you everything."

While Gibson is swapping in for Smith and will be expected to fill a similar type of role, he is at a different stage to Smith in his career.

His main goal is to cement a starting spot first and go from there.

He will move to Dunedin with his partner Hannah Gilham, towards the end of July or early August.

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