A Spirited conversation with Brooke Kirkbride

Name: Brooke Kirkbride
Age: 19
Nickname: Brooko
Club: Melville
Reside: Cambridge
Other teams: New Zealand Emerging Players
Occupation: Student
Playing role: Pace bowler
Batting style: RH lower order
Bowling style: RH medium

What was you first cricket experience?
My first real experience was actually my brother winning a backyard bash with the Knights. So I got to have a bowl and bat with people like Daryl Tuffey and Scott Styris.

Batter, batsman or batswoman? 
Batsman

Who was your cricket idol/hero growing up?
I always loved watching Chris Cairns play. The idea of being so dominant with both the bat and ball is what I wanted to be growing up.

What advice would you have for a young girl wanting to give cricket a go?
People put a label on cricket and we see a lack in girls playing. But cricket is an awesome way to get out with mates and have a bit of a laugh.

How difficult is it to find a balance between cricket commitments and holding down a “real” job?
I am currently unemployed but I find the balance between uni and cricket difficult. I’ve made sacrifices but the result at the end is worth it.

Which provincial ground/association has the best catering? Any specialities?
Whangarei has the best by far.

Who is your playing equivalent in the men’s domestic game (past or present)?
Michael Bates

Which opponent would you consider your most difficult opponent to play against?
Sophie Devine from Wellington - no matter where you bowl she seems to dominate.

The team - England women, by far. They were a very classy team with very few weaknesses.

Did you play in boy’s teams as a youngster? When did you move into girl’s/women’s sides?
I’ve been playing in boy’s sides most of the way through my career. I played in the boy’s first XI at Cambridge High for two years which was awesome. However I started off playing girl’s cricket and made the switch to boy’s cricket so I could play with a hard ball on a Saturday.

What’s one thing about you that most people wouldn’t know (or would find surprising)?
My hidden talent is doing puzzles.


For a full set of Northern Spirit profiles and my views on the women’s domestic game, have a read of A Spirited conversation with the Northern Spirit.