Rutherford enjoys top-order role

By Adrian Seconi

Otago opening batsman Hamish Rutherford dives to catch the ball during a training session at Logan Park last month. Photo: Peter McIntosh

Otago opener Hamish Rutherford shapes as a key player for the Volts this season. Cricket writer Adrian Seconi caught up with the experienced left-hander and asked if he was feeling any additional pressure, given the raft of recent departures.

Hamish Rutherford is a new dad.

He has a bachelor of applied management degree through Capable New Zealand.

And there is new life in his left knee, following surgery to tidy up some cartilage in April.

He is also one of the last recognisable names in the Otago top order, following a series of departures, so the load ought to feel heavier this summer.

But the 29-year-old left-hander reckons nothing has changed on that score. He has always felt the pressure to score runs, no matter who comes after him in the order.

"Funny you say that because I actually don’t [feel any more pressure]," he said.

"I’ve actually felt the last three or four season have been like that, regardless of the names in the team. The volume of runs I’d like to score and need to score for the team are key and that has not changed, really."

What has changed, though, is there is no Rob Nicol, Jimmy Neesham and Derek de Boorder. And Anaru Kitchen and Neil Broom are focusing on limited-overs cricket and unavailable for the first-class competition.

When you consider Neil Wagner has moved on as well, Otago is missing six leading players. That is an enormous hole to fill. If you are in the opposition, the key partnership to break is the one between Rutherford and Brad Wilson. The pair have played a combined 191 first-class games and scored more than 11,000 runs between them.

The players that follow have a smidgen of the experience the openers boast.

"At the end of the day they are all just names. We’ve replaced them with some fresh and exciting names and they bring a lot of new energy to the side.

"There is the unknown but that is exciting."

Rutherford was never in the unknown camp. His father Ken Rutherford and uncle Ian Rutherford made sure of that.

Ken played 56 tests for New Zealand and Ian had a solid provincial career for Otago. Hamish started with a leg up in that sense but eventually had to make his own way.

He struggled initially and got pigeonholed as a limited-overs specialist. He spent some time in the cricketing wilderness but got another opportunity when former Otago captain Aaron Redmond was dropped late in the 2011-12 season.

Rutherford scored back-to-back hundreds in his return game and went on to post a career-high 239 in the last game of the season.

It was a jaw-dropping run of form, in which he scored 607 first-class runs in the month of March. He made his international debut a year later and stunned the cricketing world with a sensational innings of 171.

"I don’t think you can," Rutherford responded when asked how to go about recapturing that remarkable run.

"I guess for a few years after that I was trying to re-create a feeling I had but it is unreachable because you’ve changed, you’ve developed.

"You have new shots and new skills and maybe a slightly different technique. And also the opposition learn how to bowl to you, so it is hard to reach for that."

Rutherford has had good patches since but nothing quite as prolific as March 2012.

Last season Rutherford was in pretty good nick before Christmas but struggled thereafter. He had a niggly knee complaint which made fielding uncomfortable, although he felt it did not impact negatively on his form with the bat.

The knee will not slow him down this summer. He had surgery in April and it is "100%".

Life outside cricket is more hectic and enjoyable. Rutherford finished a bachelor of applied management degree during the off season and his partner Sophie Peat had their first child, Grace Rutherford, on August 29.

Those bad days at cricket will not bite as much anymore, and there have been a few of those recently.

"It has obviously been a tough couple of years [for Otago]. There is no denying that. But I still enjoy driving through the gates of the University Oval.

"I still enjoy the challenge and rollercoaster that cricket is. It is great fun, although it is very challenging at times.

"And it is great to be involved in a group like this, especially this season with the buzz, energy and excitement around the group. It is something we haven’t had for a number of years."

The challenge for Otago will be to turn that energy into some wins. The Volts get their first-class campaign under way against Northern Districts in Mount Maunganui beginning on Wednesday.

The Black Caps have been released to play in the opening round, so Otago will meet a team featuring a swag of international players and, of course, former Otago left-armer Neil Wagner.

The Volts’ strength should be in its young bowling unit. Jacob Duffy will spearhead an attack featuring Michael Rae, Warren Barnes and Matt Bacon.

The team will be well-served in the spin department with former international Mark Craig and South African-born leg spinner Michael Rippon competing for starting spots.

It is the batting which looks thin. All the experienced is concentrated at the top in Rutherford and Wilson. Shawn Hicks showed promised last season but he is part of green line-up including rookie contracted player Josh Tasman-Jones, recent arrival Mitch Renwick and Josh Finnie, who is yet to deliver on his potential.

Rutherford, whether he feels it or not, will shoulder a heavier load.

Otago contracted players
2018-19

Matt Bacon, Warren Barnes, Neil Broom, Mark Craig, Jacob Duffy, Josh Finnie, Shawn Hicks, Anaru Kitchen, Michael Rae, Mitch Renwick, Michael Rippon, Hamish Rutherford, Nathan Smith, Brad Wilson, Josh Tasman-Jones.

Five to Watch

Warren Barnes (Otago)

It is a risk highlighting Barnes as a player to watch, given how often that is all he can do himself. But the injury-prone fast bowler has to be one of the more exciting talents in the Volts. He is properly quick. He gets swing. He has a terrific yorker and decent bumper. He bowls in a Hannibal Lecter mask. Oh, and he has 15 wickets at an average of 11.86 in two first-class games.

Lockie Ferguson (NZ)

Give the man a red ball and stand back. He is the best fast bowler in the Plunket Shield and has the credentials to succeed at test level. We can think of one Black Caps seamer who is perhaps lucky to have his spot. Move over Tim Southee — it is Lockie Ferguson’s turn [insert hashtag here and get the campaign started].

Akila Dananjaya (Sri Lanka)

Yep. Sri Lanka is touring ... again. It is possible Mahamarakkala Kurukulasooriya Patabendige Akila Dananjaya Perera — Akila Dananjaya to his mates — might not feature much, but we really wanted to put his name in print. Is it the longest name in world cricket? The 25-year-old spinner is more than just a commentator’s nightmare; he is very promising bowler. He has 17 test wickets in three tests and can bowl a legbreak, googly, carrom ball and doosra delivery with impressive control.

Jasprit Bumrah (India)

Mr Slingy created a storm with his unorthodox action. It would be good to see it up close but India, of course, doesn’t come to the South Island any more. It doesn’t play tests in New Zealand either, judging by the schedule. Shame. He looks a very good bowler. Could be tricky in New Zealand conditions with the red ball.

Liton Das (Bangladesh)

The 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has a wonderful first-class record and shapes as the long-term successor for regular gloveman Mushfiqur Rahim. In the meantime he will have to make an impression at the top of the Bangladesh order. He has the technique and defence needed to be successful, and averages more than 50 in first-class cricket.