Johnston enjoying life at Sudbury CC
Tim Johnston believes the East Anglian Premier League is a strong league, and he found out just how strong on Saturday when Sudbury suffered a shock 169-run home defeat at the hands of Horsford.
The New Zealander, Sudbury’s overseas player this season, knew he was in for what he describes as ‘hard-nosed cricket’ in a competition which, until just over a couple of months ago, he was not certain of playing.
Johnston had been looking for a UK club since Christmas last year, but his plan to bring wife Kelly and daughter Madeleine with him, proved to be a stumbling block.
“We looked at coming over from about Christmas time. I was dealing with a few different people, but nothing happened. Coming with my family made it a bit more difficult to be accommodated,” he said.
“Kelly and I had almost ruled out the possibility of coming to England, so it was brilliant when Louis (Brooks, club chairman) got in touch with us. Once this offer came through we jumped all over it.
“He’s been brilliant. The club and the school I’m linked with, Gosfield, he made the whole process of coming here so easy.
“To be honest I probably wouldn’t have come if I couldn’t bring my family. Being here teaches great life skills to my daughter. And it’s great for my wife to be able to take six months off work. It’s a well deserved break as she has been totally supportive of me, following me to all different places with my cricket.”
The family are living at Gosfield School, where he works several hours a week. “We are trying to kick start a cricket academy there, to promote cricket and get some stronger cricketers to the school. There are some strong cricketers there, but we are trying to boost the numbers.
“It’s heading in the right direction, they’ve got some great facilities. I think it will probably take a couple of years, but it’s good to help out at the start.”
Johnston, 27, from Christchurch, plays for Canterbury, and played for New Zealand at under-19s. He had a spell in England in 2010.
“I got a scholarship through New Zealand Cricket – I was part of MCC Young Cricketers. It was absolutely fantastic. I was based in London in St John’s Wood, a beautiful part, and played in the Kent League on weekends.
“The year before that I did six months in the Netherlands, based in Nijmegen.
“I coached the men’s and women’s teams there and played cricket myself. It wasn’t a high standard, but it was a fantastic trip to grow up.”
The family’s first impressions of Sudbury have been positive. “Kelly and I have both been city slickers basically, but this is really refreshing. It is quiet. But there is so much on offer here. It’s a great change, but we are enjoying the lifestyle. It’s a lot more relaxed.”
Johnston is at the club until September. He plays for the first team on Saturdays, plus the occasional Sunday friendly. He helps out with the juniors on Monday night, and helps run training for the men on Tuesday.
The EAPL he feels is stronger than some of the club cricket in New Zealand. “It’s not quite first class cricket, but still a great challenge and really enjoyable hard-nosed cricket. I think every game I’ve played so far I’ve played against people who have had first class experience.”
And what is his long term ambition? “The dream is still to play for New Zealand. To be honest I try not to think about that. I don’t put too much pressure on myself. I’m very fortunate to be a professional cricketer, doing what I love every day,” he said.
“I just want to be the best cricketer and person that I can be. If I can keep growing as a person and keep developing my skills, then let’s see where it takes me.”
And wherever that takes the family. “Madeleine is three and a half.
“She thinks this is an amazing adventure, and the club’s okayed us some time off to go to Disneyland Paris. We’re looking forward to that.”
