Nick Gibb enjoyed a standout home summer with the bat, amassing 889 runs at 49.4 and played a key role in steering the One Day Cup back into the trophy cabinet at Burnside Park.
His form was rewarded with higher honours, featuring in the Kookaburra Cup for the Avon City Thunder before stepping up to Canterbury A, where he marked his debut with a disciplined century.
Now in his third season abroad, following previous stints in Sussex and Essex, Gibb has headed north up the M1, linking up with Salesbury CC in Lancashire for the latest chapter of his overseas journey.
You’re a month into your overseas season now. Where are you playing, what league are you in, and which club are you representing?
Playing in the North West Cricket League, which covers area around Greater Manchester, Bolton and Blackburn. My club is Salesbury CC
Now that you’ve settled in, what’s one thing you have learned about your adopted hometown or village?
Some fairly strong Northern English accents floating around, which can be tough to understand at times.
What’s one fun or unique fact about your club so far that outsiders wouldn’t know?
The club was established within a year of BWCUCC.
What’s the local pub you’ve ended up at most often, and what’s the usual order?
Usually, just the cricket club, and usually rotate between our tap selection of Moretti, Guinness, and Madri.
What’s the best pint you’ve discovered since arriving?
Staropramen in Prague.
Who from BWCUCC do you think will have the best summer on the field, and why?
Tom Turner – he will be a handful if he gets in on some of the small UK club grounds.
What is your most useful travel tip since making the long haul across the globe?
Utilising the extra legroom of an aisle seat on a long-haul flight.
What European (or UK) trip are you looking forward to going on while abroad?
Amalfi Coast in Italy!
What’s been the biggest adjustment on and off the field since arriving?
Off the field, driving a manual car again. Drove one briefly back in 2023, however, in a hilly area this time, so it was a nervy first week or two trying to master hill starts again.
On the field, our pitches are very low and most seamers bowl with the keeper up. So playing off the front foot a lot more
What’s been the biggest “this is proper UK club cricket” moment for you so far?
Our third league game was played throughout an entire day of light rain, despite all other games being called off, we managed to complete our game. Never seen so many beamers bowled in a match before
What’s been your best post-match tradition or ritual so far this season?
Sitting on the outfield with a beer for the fine’s session.
Now a month in, what’s your goal for the rest of the summer?
Score as many runs as I can, keep improving my game and make sure I’m ready for the summer back in Christchurch. Also, to enjoy being overseas and seeing Europe too.
