A Spirited conversation with Felicity Leydon-Davis

Name: Felicity Leydon-Davis

Age: 18
Nickname: Floss
Club: Melville Cricket Club
Born: Hamilton
Reside: Hamilton
Other teams: Melville Green, NZ Emerging players
Occupation: Student
Playing role: Bowling all-rounder
Batting style: RH lower order
Bowling style: RH medium
Twitter handle: @Felicity_floss 

What was your first cricket experience?
Watching my older brother play at primary school, later joining in practice in the back yard cricket with him and Dad. First memorable exciting coaching session I experienced was when the Marshall brothers came to my primary school, inspiring me to be a great cricketer.

Batter, batsman or batswoman?
Whatever comes out works for me. They describe the same thing; do the same job - no biggie either way.

Who was your cricket idol/hero growing up?
My cricketing heroes have varied over the years, starting with Dan Vettori in my primary school days as he wore glasses just like I did. Then to Brendon McCullum with his extraordinary batting innings’ a few years back, as well as always being a fan of Puma gear helped this one. His agility behind the stumps inspires me to become similar in the inner ring. Once I became more aware of the women cricketers out there Nicola Browne (fellow Northern Spirit team mate and White Fern) has been a role model to me, as well as a good friend. Her skills on the field and attitude to the game are admirable. 

What advice would you have for a young girl wanting to give cricket a go?
Get out there with a great bunch of friends, have some fun and take up the challenge to succeed.
How difficult is it to find a balance between cricket commitments and holding down a “real” job?
I do not have this problem yet. However, my main difficulties are finding the balance between my dual sporting codes (badminton and cricket) and university studies as well. If I take it one step or one clash at a time, I can work through anything.

Which provincial ground/association has the best catering? Any specialities?
Lincoln University has its good and bad times. When the days are good or they are going through a good patch in menu options (minimal fishy options) and the odd dessert treat, even at lunch time, then this is a winner.

Who is your playing equivalent in the men’s domestic game (past or present)?
Mark Orchard. Right arm medium, right hand bat. Possibly more of a batter than what I am in the women’s game but I am working towards being more recognised for this part of my game. Having known him personally his calm personality and will to succeed is similar to me.

Which opponent would you consider your most difficult opponent to play against?  
Canterbury - they have a good reputation from winning many titles over the past years. However, if we fight hard, and never give up, we will get there soon enough.

Who is the most interesting person you follow on Twitter, and why?
Sara McGlashan (@sjmac7) - constantly making interesting updates of her travels around the world and entertaining aspects of her everyday life.

Did you play in boy’s teams as a youngster? When did you move into girl’s/women’s sides?
I played in boy’s teams for the duration of primary school through until intermediate where we put a girls’ team together. This great group of girls continued right through High School including two silver medals at the NZ Secondary School Girls Nationals. I played for our Hillcrest High 1st XI boys’ team for a season until moving into a men’s grade with our local Spirit girls playing for the Melville Cricket Club.

What’s your best/funniest cricketing story?
My first ever domestic round rooming with Nicola Browne - I walked into our room to find her sitting in the chair, eyes half closed, half open, in another world. From that point I wondered what I had got myself into, and questioned the sanity of my roomie - ha-ha! I later found out she was doing some visualising.

What’s one thing about you that most people wouldn’t know (or would find surprising)?
I am a top national badminton player, first representing New Zealand in the Under 19 Pan Pacific Series team in 2011, and also in 2012 against Australia. I have won numerous age group national titles along with the New Zealand Junior International Girls’ Doubles title in 2012.


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.