Ben Wheeler, from the backyard to the big stage
Ben Wheeler, the 23-year old New Zealand fast bowler, speaks to Mark Geenty at stuff.co.nz about how backyard battles with his two brothers helped him on his path to becoming an international cricketer
26-Jul-2015
Ben Wheeler, the 23-year old left-arm fast bowler, made his ODI debut for New Zealand in June. He is the youngest of three boys, all of whom played age-group cricket for Central Districts and one of whom later went on to become a Super Rugby title-winner with the Highlanders. Speaking to Mark Geenty at stuff.co.nz, Wheeler remembers old backyard battles and looks ahead to playing more international cricket.
"Yep, there was plenty [of bowling]," Wheeler said as he departed for Africa with the Black Caps. "Being the younger brother, there were always rules made up. I had to bowl this, or had to field there for a certain amount of time. If they couldn't get me out, there was always a restriction on how many balls you were allowed to face. It was always good fun."
Wheeler caught the eye of then-Central Districts coaching director Scott Briasco at age 13, the latter reckoned he was already the complete product with bat, ball and in the field.
Soon he was in the New Zealand team at the under-19 World Cup on home soil, alongside Doug Bracewell, Jimmy Neesham, Corey Anderson and Tom Latham