The 23-year-old has been named in Otago side for its opening one day match against Wellington at the University Oval tomorrow.
It is a dream come true for the Dunedin-born and Dunedin-bred left-hander. Playing for his province is a goal he has had in mind since making his senior club debut for Green Island as a 16-year-old.
But Croudis has recently started work at Tahuna Normal Intermediate. There, he teaches year 7 pupils and his stint with the Otago cricket team fits in nicely with the school holidays. But planning for the school year gets under way soon and Croudis is expected back.
"School starts up soon and we have meetings and stuff coming up on the 23 and 24th [this month], so I’ve got to see what happens there," he said.
Not that Croudis is getting ahead of himself. He may end up carrying the drinks tomorrow. But if he does get an opportunity, he hopes to make the most of it.
He was still at Otago Boy’ High School when he started taking cricket more seriously.
"From there it was a hopeful career path. If the opportunity comes it would be nice.
"If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen," he said.
Gregor’s older brother, Duncan Croudis, is a professional golfer and has represented Otago in that sport. The brothers are close and go for a regular "hit" at Balmacewen. Croudis has been part of the wider Volts squad for "about three or four years" but it was his form in the National Provincial A Tournament which earned him a promotion.
Croudis scored 202 runs at an average of 40.40, including two half-centuries.
"He [Otago coach Rob Walter] just said I had a reasonable A tournament and he wanted to reward that performance, so he thought he would bring me in."
Croudis describes himself as "a bit of a nurdler".
"I like to manipulate the field and if the boundary ball comes then I’ll lick my lips at that."
"I played hockey when I was a youngster and that was all right-handed, obviously, so the reverse sweep comes quite naturally for me."
Otago contracted player Sean Eathorne also impressed at the A tournament with 211 runs at 42.20. But he has missed out on selection in a talented Volts middle order.
Seamer Jack Hunter returns after a promising showing for the As. He did not have a lot of success in the wicket column but was very economical.
Veteran left-armer Bradley Scott has also been named in the 12 ahead of Michael Rae.
The rest of the squad is as expected with Hamish Rutherford heading a batting line-up which includes Brad Wilson, Michael Bracewell and Anaru Kitchen.
All-rounder Jimmy Neesham will be keen to make a statement having missed selection for the test side, and Christi Viljoen has been in good form with the ball. Wellington will name its side this morning but English all-rounder Scott Borthwick will replace veteran all-rounder Grant Elliott.
Elliott is not playing in the one-day competition but Borthwick is a more than able replacement for the all-rounder. In six first-class games for Wellington last season Borthwick scored 532 runs at an average of 48.36. Borthwick also picked up nine wickets at 37.11 with his leg spin.
Otago v Wellington
University Oval, tomorrow, 11am
Otago: Hamish Rutherford (captain), Gregor Croudis, Brad Wilson, Jimmy Neesham, Michael Bracewell, Josh Finnie, Anaru Kitchen, Derek de Boorder, Sam Wells, Christi Viljoen, Bradley Scott, Jack Hunter.
Wellington (possible): Michael Papps, Hamish Marshall, Stephen Murdoch, Tom Blundell, Scott Borthwick, Michael Pollard, Luke Woodcock, Matt Taylor, Anurag Verma, Jeetan Patel, Hamish Bennett, Brent Arnel.
