What have you been up to since the end of the cricket season?

I was fortunate to have a holiday to my favourite city in the world, New York. I was playing camp mum showing three of my Auckland team mates around the city and of course making it to a few Yankees games.

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What are you focusing on improving this winter?

My main focus this winter is to firstly get my strength back, through the programs Chris Donaldson provides, as the season was quite taxing on my body. Also aligned with this I need to sort out a few of the niggles I had at the end of the season and make sure I do my prehab to get these right before the bowling starts potentially around July. Once I start bowling again I will look to continue the work I did throughout the summer, especially continue to look to swing the ball more and develop my two change ups.

You have quickly become a senior member of a young Auckland bowling attack, how has this influenced how you went about your cricket?

I really enjoyed working with our young bowlers last summer, there is some serious talent among them with all different strengths. I mainly focused on trying to create a ‘all on the same level’ culture among the bowlers. Making sure that at bowling meetings and on the park we all had an equal say. For me personally when I started out I found I developed much quicker when I was given freedom to bowl how I thought would work best. Of course I made plenty of mistakes in doing so, but I also quickly learned from these mistakes and felt I developed quicker. I guess I am trying to encourage this culture within our group and from my point of view our younger bowlers are learning and developing into some seriously skilled players in a short time.

What did you learn and take away from your stints in the Blackcaps this summer?

The main learning I had this year in the Blackcaps is that you have more time than you think. It sounds a little cliché but as I have played more games I have come to learn to take the extra second to think about my next move rather than rushing through it. This is definitely a challenge but something I am continue to work on. But by giving yourself the extra second to think through the options I have found I’ve taken a more mature approach to how I bowl.

Niche Cache readers know all about your Plunket Shield antics, what do you think you need to do to put yourself in the mix for Test selection?

I have made it pretty clear my whole career that for me Test is the pinnacle and something I am constantly working towards. But its not an easy team to make. You only have to look at the success in recent times to know how difficult it is to make the starting line-up. Tim, Trent and of course Waggy are world class and seem to continue to step up in big games which is exciting and creates a challenge. In addition to this you have Matt Henry to compete with also, who has performed extremely well every time he has had an opportunity. So more or less I just need to work away and put numbers on the board and hopefully an opportunity will come from that.

What have you found difficult about bowling in domestic cricket, now that you have international experience?

I really enjoyed my domestic cricket this year. The culture we have created is close to the best its ever been and I think that shows in our results. I guess the obvious challenge of coming back into the mix is performance. But that’s a challenge regardless of the team you play for. In fact I played a game for my club team Parnell Peaches during the summer and would have to be one of the more nervous times I had, which looking back is quite funny.

Which international batsman has made you think 'wtf, how do I bowl to this guy?'

There’s a long list…

But I think Steve Smith is still a batsman that is very hard to bowl to. I think because it so unorthodox that it takes out of play the classical ‘top of off’ is a good ball. That and he has crazy hand eye (coordination). But with batsman like this it provides an opportunity to think about your bowling differently, just like he has with his batting, and trying to find a strange way to put pressure on him or get him out. I guess that’s just part of the fun of high level sport is that everyone playing is at the top of their game.

What is something that you need to eat or drink every day?

Mercury Plaza sushi. If you haven’t been, go now! Also it's closed on Monday.

Having had a fair amount of injuries earlier in your career, offer some insight into the exercises/routine you have to do now to fight off further injuries?

Habit I think has been a key part. I have tried to maintain my gym work and running throughout the season even though we are playing so much. Regardless of how I am feeling I make sure I tick the box every week, which also gives me peace of mind that my body will be able to handle the forces of bowling 30-40 overs every week.

What have you learned about yourself over the past 18 months?

There is a lot more to life than cricket. Although I absolutely love my job and what I do, it does come with its challenges. I did find it hard in parts this season spending so much time on the road and away from my family and friends. Making time to spend with them and get out of the cricket bubble this season was important to me and I feel that it also helped my performance on the park.

Who do you want to give thanks to?

Of course there are always people to thank. Firstly my family for their constant support regardless of my performance. My bowling coach Andre Adams for being a sounding board for my ideas and giving me positive reinforcement when I wasn't playing as well as I had hoped. My manager Steve Wilkins for taking care of all my affairs off the park, I am still yet to hear him say no to me. And of course my sponsors Kookaburra and Asics for their on going support and best kit in the game.