Cricket: Playing the generation game

Jacob Cushen (3) holds on to his cricket bat, eagerly waiting for lunch to be called at the game between Otago and Northern Districts at Molyneux Park on Saturday, so he can take a few deliveries from his grandfather. His uncle, Simon Cushen (front left), and grandparents John and Amanda Cushen enjoy the game with Dunedin friends (rear) Jade and Daryl Reddington. Photo by Diane Brown.

Jacob Cushen (3) from Dunedin was given his first cricket bat when he was just 2-months-old.

Jacob was carrying his little cricket bat everywhere he went at the Otago-Northern game at Alexandra's Molyneux Park on Saturday, and "hanging out" to get on the field when lunch was called so he could face a few balls.

"He's got a new bat under the Christmas tree waiting for him in Queenstown but he doesn't know that yet," Jacob's grandfather, John, said.

John Cushen, who now lives in Queenstown, used to play for Otago and teach at Kings High School.

He, wife Amanda and Jacob stopped off in Alexandra on their way back from Dunedin where they had spent Christmas with the family, so they could watch the Volts play the Knights.

Cushen had a keen interest in the game as he had taught two players, Otago's Nathan McCullum and Northern's Bradley Scott, at Kings High School.

Cushen's son, Simon, was also on hand to watch the game, although his loyalties were divided as he was born and raised in Dunedin but now lives in Cambridge and coaches the Northern Districts Under-19 team.

Jacob's father, Jason Cushen, a keen cricketer and Otago Cricket Association board member, was due to arrive later in the day.