Ashely Noffke interview

By Jeremy Horne and David Slater
October 14 2002

After play on the first day of the Essex match and Chelmsford, the crowd woke up and went home. David and I also spoke to Ashley Noffke about Australian cricket and his first season as a Middlesex player.

David Slater: You’ve played cricket in some of the top venues in Australia, how does it compare to playing at Lord’s?

Ashley Noffke: The grounds at home are very different, they are a lot bigger. Lord’s has got really homely feel , a lot of tradition. Just a great place to play cricket really.

DS: You were on The Ashes tour last year, how disappointed were you not to feature in any of the test matches?

AN: It’s a great tour to be part of as an Australian cricketer, it was great for Australia to get a good result. Obviously I would have liked to have been a part of it, but at the end of the day it was just great to be part of the squad that won The Ashes.

DS: How big an influence did Justin Langer have on you coming to Middlesex?

AN: None at all. I never really spoke to him about it.

Jeremy Horne: Do you think being on The Ashes tour last year prepared you for coming to Middlesex this season?

AN: Yeah, sure. It definitely gave me an idea of what county cricket’s about, but I wanted to get over here and play for Middlesex and get a better understanding and get a feel for the grounds and the facilities- the wickets.

JH: Do you hope to be back here next year?

AN: Hopefully, yeah. I’d like to play for Middlesex again, so if it all goes to plan, it’ll be good.

JH: Well we’d like you here aswell.