Workington Cricket Club went for a Kiwi when they decided to bring an overseas amateur to West Cumbria this season.
Judging by early results they seem to have made a good choice, so I thought it was time to catch up with Davis Mills.
Can you tell me about how you started playing cricket in New Zealand and your career so far?
I have played cricket from the age of five in New Plymouth, New Zealand. I originally got into cricket as I loved sports and my mates were all playing. I showed some ability in those early years which made it more enjoyable for myself and I kept playing through my primary school and high school years.
I played in age group teams from under 12s through to under 17s for Taranaki. I played 1st 11 cricket for New Plymouth Boys High school for three years and captained the team in my final year.
I then played in the Taranaki Premier competition for New Plymouth Old Boys cricket club after leaving school in 2015 where we play 50 overs, T20 and 2 day 2 innings cricket. I also made my debut for the Taranaki men’s team when I was 18, initially playing on and off, but over the last three or four seasons I have been a regular in the team.
I also managed to gain selection to the Central Districts under-19s team in 2016. I won many titles over my time with the New Plymouth Old Boys so far and last season we managed to win all three titles in the season, where I was the top run scorer in the league.
What job did you do back home after leaving school?
I studied at Victoria University of Wellington after school, studying a bachelor of science and majoring in geology. I then did several contracts for an oil and gas company doing various jobs.
I then decided to do my graduate diploma in teaching and taught mathematics and coached several levels of cricket at New Plymouth Boys High School.
What have been your best moments in cricket in New Zealand?
My best moments in cricket so far would have to be winning the Chapple cup with Taranaki (which is a 50 over competition) in 2018 for the first time in over a decade. This was a big achievement as we beat strong opponents in Manawatu and Hawkes Bay in the final to win the title.
Hawkes Bay and Manawatu are two of the stronger teams in our zone and generally win this competition.
I would also say winning all three titles last season with New Plymouth Old Boys and scoring the most runs in the competition with 762 at an average of 52.8 for New Plymouth Old Boys. This was a big feat as we only lost one game all season and each competition culminates in a final where we beat the same opposition all three times.
Do you consider yourself as a batsman who can bowl or a bowler who can bat a bit or a genuine all-rounder?
I have played many different roles in various teams, primarily being a bowler when I was younger and when I first made my debut for the Taranaki men’s team I would bat in the lower order. These days I would consider myself a genuine all-rounder who can do a role as a batsman or a bowler.
What was your reaction to a chance to play in the UK and had you heard anything about Workington?
I tried to come to the UK to play some cricket right as COVID hit so that unfortunately meant I couldn’t come over then. So to get the opportunity to come this year has been great and something I’ve always wanted to do.
I didn’t know anything really about Workington, just that Cumbria was a beautiful part of the UK. Everyone warned me that it would be colder and wetter up north!
How have you found the Workington club and the players, as well as the town since your arrival?
Everyone around the club has been very helpful and just looking to make my time here a good one. Workington is a nice quiet town which I find nice as it’s easy to get round and get to the supermarket and town centre etc.
The good thing about the UK is the public transport is great compared to New Zealand where it’s a necessity to have a car, so being able to get around on the bus and train and see Cumbria and Northern parts of the UK have been great.
Your coaching background appealed to Workington. When did that start and how much have you done back home?
I started coaching when I was at high school doing small bits with the junior teams. I ended up working for Taranaki cricket during my university breaks while I was studying.
Through working for Taranaki cricket I was able to do coaching courses and was given lots of opportunities to coach age group rep teams in Taranaki from under 12 to under 17.
Last season I also got the opportunity to be assistant coach for the Central Districts under-19s team (equivalent to county age group). I also helped coach the New Plymouth Boys High School 1st 11 in my time while I was teaching there.
It’s early days but what have you thought about the standard so far in the Cumbria League where the team has had three wins?
I would say that the first few games have been a good introduction to some UK cricket with the pitches being pretty soft and tough going for batters. I would say it’s hard to judge the league so far but from what I’ve seen in the first few weeks it looks like a league where every team can compete on their day and there are obviously some quality players going around the league.
Are there are any particular cricketers who have influenced your career either in the way they play the game or that have maybe coached you?
I would say that I have had many great coaches over my years of playing cricket. The main coaches who have made a big impact in my career would be Dion Ebrahim who coached me through my years in New Plymouth Boys High school and has gone on to coach first class cricket; Debu Banik who has put endless hours into me as a cricketer since I was around the age of 12 and someone who I continue to talk to and get ideas from; Jamie Watkins who has helped me throughout my years of cricket and while I played with him at New Plymouth Old Boys.
My Dad has also thrown thousands of balls at me over the years and coached or managed a lot of my junior cricket teams when I was younger and continues to support my cricket.
Did you come over to Cumbria with any specific targets in mind for your stint with the Workington club?
I wouldn’t say I had specific goals or targets, but I definitely wanted to contribute as much as I could on the field in runs and wickets which would hopefully contribute to the club winning games and hopefully culminating in some titles.
I think a big reason for me coming to the UK was to have another challenge in a different league and environment and continue to learn and enjoy my cricket. In terms of coaching, I just wanted to help by giving different ideas and a new perspective in the way Workington play and train.
