Opener’s sacrifices paying off
When Andrew Fletcher started his ‘other’ career, he quickly discovered what his holidays would entail.
The Wellington Firebirds opener, who has made a sensational start to his domestic representative Ford Trophy career, works part-time for accounting software firm Xero.
‘‘I finished my degree at the end of 2016 and when I started I let them know I would have quite a lot of A cricket coming up and they said ‘that’s fine, just take your annual leave for it’. ‘‘Which stung but it had to be done,’’ Fletcher said. ‘‘A lot of my mates thought I was nuts – it’s the sort of sacrifices you have to make.’’
Fletcher said his ‘opening partnership’ with his employers has been amazing. ‘‘They’re all big fans – when I walked in after my performances they’ve given me big rounds of applause and made me feel very, very embarrassed in the workplace.’’
The 25-year-old has given his colleagues good reason to cheer – in four one-day innings, Fletcher has made two centuries and tallied 357 runs at an average of 119. Not only does he have more than 100 runs
than the next-best trophy batsman, he’s on track to break the record for most runs in a NZ List A campaign.
‘‘Those thoughts definitely go through your mind,’’ he said. ‘‘There’s been times when I thought about maybe hanging up the boots and pursuing my other career, but it’s been a dream of mine since I was very young so I’m grateful I had the presence of mind to stick with it.’’
He acknowledged the nerves when he faced the first ball of his Wellington oneday career against Canterbury and Black Caps paceman Matt Henry, but quickly calmed down on the way to a maiden ton, ending unbeaten on 132.