Jeremy Benton vs El Niche Cache
What do Jeremy Benton and Kagiso Rabada have in common?
Jeremy Benton's represented Aotearoa at Under 19 level and is creeping through the domestic cricket ranks, so let's get some answers...
You've featured predominantly in domestic T20 cricket so far, so what do you consider to be your strengths in T20 cricket as a left-arm spinner?
I believe my strengths in T20 cricket are my changes of pace and accuracy of my bowling. I try not to allow the batsmen to have any freedom to play aggressive shots and make it difficult to hit boundaries.
What do you think you must do to consistently play Plunket Shield cricket?
There's a big emphasis on becoming a more aggressive spinner and spinning the ball more. The goal is to play all three formats for Canterbury in the coming years.
Which spinners have you looked to emulate and what's your unique twist that you've added to what they did?
A player who I have modeled parts of my bowling is Dan Vettori. Reasonably similar bowling style to him, so I tried to take as much of his game into my game as possible. I also try and work closely with other spinners in the team such as Todd Astle, Tim Johnson & Cole McConchie and get some tips of them.
Walk us through your training regime over winter to prepare you for this season?
Over the winter just been, I went abroad and played up in Durham in the north east of England. Canterbury cricket and Durham have a really good exchange and this was extremely beneficial for my cricket. I'll probably look to head back over to England in the coming years. Next winter a big target will be strength and conditioning and make some advancements there and then start up the cricket skill work again around June.
Are there any key drills/skills you make sure to do each training session?
Quantity of bowling. Make sure I am in a nice rhythm and have a good feel of my action. I try and work with the other spinners in the team with a bit of target bowling. Also get in heaps of fielding and take loads of catches.
Do you have a variety of different deliveries or do you rely more on flight and pace to trick batsmen?
I have been working on a few variations, still a work in progress just in the nets, but mainly changes in speed and flight. I will hopefully have a few change ups that I can bring into my game in the coming seasons.
You've had success as a captain previously, is that a role that comes naturally to you or have you had to learn how to approach it?
I enjoy captaining teams and I try to give the players my backing in the plans we have in place. This hasn't really come naturally so have tried to learn from previous leaders in the teams I have played in and take aspects of their leadership style.
How would you describe your leadership style and who are some leaders that you soak up wisdom from?
I would say I have a reasonably relaxed captaincy style. I try and get the team to take the most aggressive option when possible. I have learnt a lot from leaders such as Peter Fulton and Andrew Ellis who have captained me in the past and found their style of leadership extremely valuable.
Was there anything that you learned from the 2014 Under 19 World Cup (where NZ came 10th) that you have applied to your cricket now?
Awesome experience playing in Dubai with the majority of that squad now playing domestic cricket around New Zealand. I learned a lot playing all the nations and how each team plays the game a little bit differently. Playing against teams such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were really interesting in regards to how they bowl as well as play spin bowling. I think it was a major learning curve in my cricketing journey so far.
Are there blokes you played against at that World Cup that have gone on to play International cricket?
There’s been quite a few, Ben Duckett from England, Sanju Samson from India and Kagiso Rabada from South Africa. Also my good mate Gavin Main has gone on to play for Scotland. There’s a few guys who played for that NZ U19 team who aren't far away from playing international cricket!
What keeps you busy away from cricket?
I am 90% through Agribusiness & Marketing degree at Lincoln University which I started in 2014. I have 3 more papers to go which I will complete in semester one 2017. Also spend 10 hours a week working in a marketing and sponsorship role which keeps me on my toes in between training.
What advice would you give to a young cricketer?
Enjoy your cricket as much as possible. It is pretty cool being able to spend time with your mates as much as you do in a cricketing environment and when you are having fun it makes it so much better.
Which ground does the best cricket lunch and why?
Definitely Hagley Oval. There are multiple good options on offer and they never disappoint. Mainpower Oval out in Rangiora does a tasty scrub as well and comes in at a close second.
If you've got a week off in summer, where will you be and what will you be doing?
Don't get too much time off in the summer with the busy cricketing schedule. But always try and get home to see the family in Culverden (100km north of Christchurch), spending as much time at the beach or on the golf course too.