Callum Hill has been making the most of his overseas summer, with the Premier wicketkeeper enjoying a productive stint with Anston CC in the Nottingham Premier League. Currently sitting on 964 runs at an average of 56.71, including two centuries and eight fifties across his 18 innings. Also, pouching 35 dismissals behind the stumps.
With his time in England now entering the final stretch, and the home summer at Burnside Park approaching, we caught up with Callum to hear about life at Anston, the joys of English club cricket, his travels around the UK and Europe, and what he’s hoping to achieve before heading home.
You’re closing in on the end of the overseas season now. Where have you been playing, what league are you in, and which club are you representing?
I’m in the Nottingham Premier League, playing with Anston CC. A village club in South Yorkshire.
What’s one thing you have learned about your adopted hometown or village?
The stone is very famous. ‘Anston Stone’ was used to build the house of parliament. And was shipped down on Narrowboats through the canals.
There is also a guy called Roski who lost an inch off his tongue in California.
What’s one fun or unique fact about your club so far that outsiders wouldn’t know?
Iain O’Brien played a handful of games for the club and we are the only non-Nottingham based club in the Notts league.
Above: Callum Hill at the crease.
What’s the local pub you’ve ended up at most often, and what’s the usual order?
Apart from the cricket club, I’ve created a strong affinity with the Butchers Arms in Woodsets. What a fantastic watering hole that has been. Combine the best pint of Guinness in the area with a Sunday Lunch and you’ll be a happy individual.
After about 10pm you’ll likely catch me cracking into the Malibus like I’m 19 again.
What’s the best pint you’ve discovered since arriving?
Apart from the above, I’ve enjoyed trying the local ales. Stones Bitter is a fan favourite in South Yorkshire and it takes me back to my roots of Waikato Draught and DB Bitter. Nice, but only for a couple.
Who from BWCUCC do you think will have the best summer on the field, and why?
Tim Seeto’s crafty batsmanship has clearly been tricky to manage over in the Netherlands, he has been ultra impressive. Combine this with his passionate pursuit of protecting the parks in his local area I think his summer has been a great success.
I did see Tom Turner made 140 not out off 65 balls recently too, and I think there will be more of that coming to finish the English summer against some tired attacks.
What is your most useful travel tip since making the long haul across the globe?
Just have a few jars and an English brekkie as soon as you land, cures jet lag immediately. Also, pack the golf clubs, pre download plenty of Netflix and podcast content for the flight.
What European (or UK) trip are you looking forward to going on while abroad?
As I answer this question I’m sat in Luton Airport about to board a plane to Budapest to link up with the BWCUCC alumni over here playing. Something is telling me that is going to be tough to top as long as I can avoid Oscar Jackson after midnight.
Watching Ryan Fox win the Open at Birkdale is pretty impossible to look past though.
Above: BWCUCC alumni living the high life in Budapest.
What’s been the biggest adjustment on and off the field since arriving?
On the field, probably the constant delays for lost balls on tiny grounds and facing the new dukes was a definite adjustment. All teams seem to set very unconventional fields, so trying to combat those best you can is a fun test.
Off it, understanding the Yorkshire accent after a few beers can be like deciphering Morse code.
It has been a record-hot summer, you realise air conditioning is a luxury back home. Combatting public transport can also throw some curveballs.
What’s been the biggest “this is proper UK club cricket” moment for you so far?
Watching Nick Gibb get caught at third man driving in about 6 degrees and sideways rain during his T20 semi final. In the same fixture a player from the other team dislocated his shoulder diving into the boundary fence and had to be replaced by an 11-year-old.
Above: The 18th at Royal Birkdale after watching Ryan Fox make history by winning The Open.
What’s been your best post-match tradition or ritual so far this season?
Hunting down the coach for the two drinks tokens you get after home games and then just enjoying a few beers with my teammates win or lose and getting stuck into a Chinese takeaway when I get home from Clubbies.
It is a great culture at Anston, everyone grew up together and have welcomed me in. So it’s pretty easy to have a good time after a good or tough day on the park.
Now a few weeks to go, what’s your goal for the rest of the summer?
Make sure we stay well out of that relegation zone. We are going well enough, but it’s very tight, anyone from 6th-12th is still a chance of going down. Playing a part in that will be rewarding over these last few weeks.