Michael Papps signs with Wellington Firebirds to pave way for rejoining Black Caps
Michael Papps, the opening batsman of New Zealand, has left Canterbury Wizards and joined WellingtonFirebirds with an aim to pave the way for regaining his lost position in New Zealand National Cricket team as he thinks that playing in new environment will
help him refreshing his form and improving his skills.
Papps played his last international game for the Kiwis in 2007 and was subsequently dropped from the team due to low batting average. Now the batsman is keen to struggle hard to resurge in the international arena by playing for a new team. It is for the
first time in his career that he has stepped out of Canterbury.
Papps argues that playing for Firebirds will polish his capabilities. However, he thinks that his decision to leave the Canterbury, which he has been playing for as an opener since long, is hard for him.
Talking to the media today, Papps said, “Yeah, it was a tough decision to leave. I just thought it was time for a new environment and a new challenge. I think that will improve me as a cricketer and hopefully put me back in Black Caps contention..”
He further told, “At this stage of my career I could have carried on for Canterbury and kept doing what I've done, but I don't want to look back and think `what if'. I've loved my time with Canterbury, I really have. I have a lot of great memories I'm taking
with me, but I just needed a new challenge."
The Wellington Firebirds is a First-Class team of New Zealand domestic cricket. It was founded in 1873. Jamie Siddons and Matthew Bell are current coach and captain of the team respectively.
The Firebirds participate in State T20 Cricket Tournament, State Championship and State Shield.
Papps’s Canterbury experience will help him thriving in the new team. The opener has played 119 First-Class, 116 List A and 32 T20 games for Canterbury.
Making his international debut in 2004, Papps has played only 8 Tests and 6 ODIs so far. The 32-year-old is running over age and wants to play some further games for his national side.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/38111.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellington_Firebirds
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/5259189/Move-new-challenge-for-Michael-Papps
http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=36360