Conway chases Black Caps dream
Devon Conway has taken another bold step in the spikemarks of Neil Wagner towards becoming South Africa’s latest Black Cap.
And on early impressions for Wellington, on and off the field, it’s a safe bet the 26-yearold from Johannesburg will graduate to international cricket at some stage after he becomes eligible in just over two years’ time.
‘‘I want to make a life here and I definitely would like to play for the Black Caps in the future,’’ Conway said.
‘‘I know it’s down the line so it’s not something I’m focusing on. I’m just taking baby steps to make sure I’m improving. The first goal now is just to do well for Wellington and see the team do really well.’’
Conway, a left-handed top-order batsman and wicketkeeper, has impressive career numbers: averaging 42 from 90 first-class matches, and 44.58 from 59 list-A (50-over) appearances.
Like Black Caps Kruger van Wyk and Wagner, and a host of other cricketers, Conway felt he’d progressed as far as he could in South Africa and headed offshore. He arrived in Wellington last September, joined the University club and tried his luck with coach Bruce Edgar’s Firebirds.
When gloveman Tom Blundell received a Black Caps callup, Conway made an impact in all three formats as an overseas player. He averaged over 40 in both Twenty20 and
50-over cricket and in his third Plunket Shield innings for Wellington scored 103 not out against Central Stags, his 14th first-class century.
He’s now officially a ‘qualifying player’ which allowed him to be contracted by the Firebirds alongside fellow Johannesburg product and top-order batsman Malcolm Nofal. Conway was pursued by Auckland, too, but stayed loyal. The pair are among 13 South African born-and-raised players on NZC’s payroll for the coming season, headed by Black Caps Wagner, BJ Watling and Colin Munro.
Wagner offered some words of encouragement after Conway’s Wellington played Otago last summer.
‘‘He’s the guy who did it, who came over and proved himself. Most importantly he fitted into the New Zealand culture, that’s the big thing you’ve got to make sure you take care of,’’ Conway said.
‘‘It’s a very warm culture at Wellington, it was the thing that stood out for me. The sense of backing from every single player, the feeling of wanting everyone to do really well for the team.’’
Under ICC regulations Conway will qualify for the Black Caps as a New Zealand resident after three years in the country – provided he spends at least 10 months a year here – which means September, 2020, could see the green light.
As he endures his first Wellington winter the toil starts again for Conway.
‘‘I’m working really hard on my batting with [assistant coach] Glenn Pocknall and Bruce Edgar, so that’s my main focus but I won’t neglect my glovework and will be pairing up with Tom Blundell to work on that skill because it could come in handy.
‘‘I’d like to see myself in the top order, whether that be one, two, three or four, it doesn’t matter. Then it’s all about producing the results when I get the opportunity.’’