Oliver Jack White (21) — son of New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White — appeared in the Dunedin District Court this week where his Auckland lawyer, Brandyn Gloyn, argued the young player’s career hinged on the outcome of his application for a discharge without conviction.
He said the defendant had recently competed overseas and was "on the cusp" of getting a domestic contract, before pushing for the national team.
"This is clearly a huge lesson learned for him given the grave consequences that could follow," Mr Gloyn said.
White, who opened the batting for New Zealand at the under-19 World Cup in South Africa in 2020, was supported in court by Otago Cricket general manager of performance Steve Martin and New Zealand Cricket Players Association personal development manager Greg Dawson.
There were also affidavits from high-ranking officials stressing the adverse implications a conviction would hold for the defendant.
But Judge Michael Turner said the material was "very broad and lacks specificity . . . overall not substantially helpful".
It was clear, he said, that a conviction for drink-driving was not an absolute bar for White following his career as a professional athlete.
"Mr White is in fact seeking to gain an advantage over his rivals by being able to conceal a conviction," said the judge.
The defendant, who is studying sport science at university in Dunedin, stopped at a police checkpoint at 12.30pm on July 30 last year.
He said he had been drinking with friends the night before but had slept and eaten breakfast the following morning before getting behind the wheel.
White gave a breath-alcohol reading of 462mcg — nearly twice the legal limit.
"He thought he was fine to drive after a night out having a few drinks," Mr Gloyn said.
"He accepts he needs to be more vigilant making decisions like he did."
The application for a discharge was predicated on the potential impact on White’s cricketing career (or non-sporting employment) and the effect on his ability to travel overseas.
Had the defendant been able to show a criminal record would exclude him from future representative honours, a discharge would have been granted, Judge Turner said.
But there was no evidence of that before the court.
The judge dismissed the application and fined White $500, along with court costs of $130.
He was banned from driving for six months
White played for the North East Valley club in the Dunedin premier grade and was the team's leading wicket-taker with 22 wickets at an average of 13.45 this season. He also scored 389 runs at an average of 64.83.
White made four appearances for Otago A this season.
