July 8, 2025 • 7 mins
Northern Districts pace bowler Matt Fisher has got the call-up he's been waiting for his whole career.
He'll be joining the Black Caps for their tour of Zimbabwe later this month.
Matt spoke to Elliott Smith on Sportstalk.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldegrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Well Northern District's pace bowler Matt Fisher the new name
in the black Caps squad fifteen strong for the two
Test tour of Zimbabwe later this month. Widely regarded as
one of the fastest bowlers in the country, he was
by injury over the summer, just Bean or four months ago,
just Bean, but he is the young Cat player in
(00:33):
the squad. If you did miss it this morning, Tom
Latham's the captain, Tom Blundell, Devin Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher,
Matt Henry, Darrell Mitchell, Henry Nichols, Willow Rourke, Ajaz Battel,
Glenn Phillips, Russian Ravindra, Mitch Santoner, Nathan Smith and Will
Young to no King Williamson in that squad and Michael
Brice were allowed to play in the hundred in the UK,
(00:54):
joining us. Now one of the players in that squad.
The new name is Matt Fisher. Matt thinks so much
for your time are here on news Talk ZEDB. Congratulations
on your selection.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Yeah, pretty stoked, A dream come true.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
How did you find out the news. Did Rob Walter
give you a.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
Call I had a camp last week with him, and
after the camp, literally after I bowled my final ball.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
He sat me down and, yeah, told me the news.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Did you feel by going to that camp that you
were in the mix or was it very much to
sort of let's hit along and see what happens.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
Yeah, I thought I was just net bowling because obviously
there's a few players overseas playing in all the leagues,
So yeah, I think they're short on bowlers and I
just had some overs under my belt and I just
thought it was pretty cool to be a part of
the squad.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
And yeah, training with them all week.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
And what did Rob say? What were his reasons for
forgiving you the call up?
Speaker 4 (01:46):
He just basically said he was just keen to get
me in the side, and yeah, to just keep doing
what I've been doing at the domestic level.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
I know that you mentioned your pace. What kind of
pace you're clocking with the red ball?
Speaker 3 (02:00):
Hard to say.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
We don't really have speed cameras all the time, but
sometimes bring them on to training and touch one.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
So it's a decent old ball of the bawl of
the cricket ball. Have you always been sort of that
that fast bowler that has the you know, that that
element in them.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (02:18):
I think from a young age I always wanted to
bowl fast, and yeah, when I was about fifteen, I
grew quite a bit and started bowling very faster than
a few mother mates.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
So yeah, and then just kind of started from there.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
Just coaches keep telling me to bowl fast, and yeah,
I enjoy doing it.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
I saw a we note today that you when you
went down to Otigo, you're sort of more of a
batsman or you regarded yourself as an all rounded down there.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
I don't know where you've heard that problem famed out
a school but quickly realized probably wasn't the option.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
I know you've had a few injuries along the way
as well, including one of the most recent domestic season.
And how half frustrating have they been? Have they been
big setbacks?
Speaker 4 (02:59):
Yeah? The first couple of years, didn't really get a
bowl many balls, actually kicked me out of the season. Yeah,
very frustrating, But talking to a lot of bowlers around
New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
They say it's going to happen.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
So I've just got some good people around me that
kind of led me in the right direction. Just trying
to get stronger and fitter, and they've hinted at the
magic age at twenty five is when those injuries start
to slow down. So now I'm twenty five, I'm hoping
hoping that's the case. But yeah, just trying to stay
as fit as possible and trying to avoid them at
all costs.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
That's the way. Have you had a mentor through your
career at all or you know fast forward that that
you've used to the soundboard.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
Well, I've had Graham Aldredge since I was about sixteen,
who's Yeah, he's just really been really good for me,
able to talk to him about everything, and is my
INDI coach for a couple of years there, and then
lately I've just been able to pick the brains of
Tim Saudi and Neil Wagner, who was lucky enough to
play for for the last couple years, I'll play with
for the last couple of years. So yeah, they've been
(04:01):
great to talk to and really enjoy picking their brains.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Not a bad couple of players to learn from what
would have been there? Their main messages about your growth
and how have they helped you?
Speaker 4 (04:12):
Mainly just backing myself, I think like the more you
bowl in games, is the more confidence you have. Yeah,
I think just backing my pace and kind of the
more cricket I've played, the more skills I'll get. So yeah,
they're just always backed me and that's probably just a
big thing. And then staying on the park, they said
you'll just slowly learn how you can bowl and test
(04:33):
and how you can break games open.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
So no, they're just really good to talk to.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Do you see that primarily as your role is that
you know that that game breaking sort of fast bowler.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
Yeah, I think so. At the moment, probably come on,
try break the game over. Sometimes might go for a
few more runs than the other bowlers, but yeah, I
think that'll probably be the case.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
I'm seeing you obviously in domestic cricket. Do you see
yourself as as a multi format sort of bowler that
can can play the white ball stuff pretty well as well?
Speaker 4 (05:01):
Yeah, I love playing all formats. Still trying to get
the girls and whatnot in T twenty. Probably haven't mastered
that as much yet. But the more cricket I player,
the more skills that developed, in more confidence I get.
But yeah, I love playing all formats and obviously there's
a lot of opportunities.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Coming that are popping up all around the world.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
So yeah, hopefully I'll stick to all three at the moment,
and yeah, hopefully you can get some call ups here
and there for all three.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
And this tour of zimbabwe're just looking at the squad.
I mean, I assuming you know Mitch Satnik quite well,
there are many of the other boys that you're familiar with.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
Yeah, well, I suppose there's any a few teams in
New Zealand around the Domestic Council, always bumping into everyone
and talking to them, So yeah, it'd be good to
I suppose meet some of the other boys and have
a bit more to do with them. But yeah, we've
been lucky enough to train with them and had a
bit to do with them, so hoping i'll fit in.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Alright, what are you expecting out of Zimbabwe? I guess
it's been a while since the black Caps have played
there as well, traditionally sort of hard sort of wickets.
Is that what you're expecting when you get over them?
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Yeah, I think so.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
I've been following the South Africasimbabwe tests at the moment
it looks like there's runs galore, so probably not the
site you want to be seeing as a fastballer, but
I think it would just be a really good opportunity,
and I suppose learning how to adapt on different surfaces.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Yeah, as cricket always been your main passion Matt through the.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
Years, rugby and cricket growing up, and then probably towards
year eleven cricket started taking a ford Yeah, Ford focus,
and yeah, start focusing on that a bit more.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
But yeah, love rugby.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Because I think, well, some Paul's collegiate, which obviously is
Daniel Batori's school, so a fair bit of cricketing pedigree
through those hallways through the years.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
No, we're in the same house, so I haven't actually
had much to do with them, but definitely one for
the ages at Saint Paul's.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
And match a couple of final ones. What's your main goal,
I guess getting out of this tour. I suppose you've
you've got the call up now, so as you begin
to prepare to head off and on the planet in
a week or two, what do you want to get
out of this tour? Is it a dabut or is
it just immersing yourself the black Caps environment?
Speaker 4 (07:09):
Well, obviously you'd want today Bob, but I'll just be
preparing for any any well opportunity that pops up. I'm
just keen to go over and learn and show that
I'm real keen and yeah, just see what it's all about.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
And I guess Rob Waltz is from that part of
the world, is South Africa as well as he giving
you any insight as to the we talked a bit
about the decks, but I guess the conditions everything like
that and what you might come across.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
Not yet, so I think the next couple of weeks
will probably be a bit more detail on that end.
But yeah, he just said kind of congratulations and he's
looking forward to having me.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Well, we're looking forward to seeing you get out on
the picture as well. Hopefully you get a crack with
that red ball. Appreciate your time Matt here on news
Talk ZIB. Thanks for joining us so there, Thank you
for having me.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
For more from sports Talk, listen live to news Talk
ZIB from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldegrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Well Northern District's pace bowler Matt Fisher the new name
in the black Caps squad fifteen strong for the two
Test tour of Zimbabwe later this month. Widely regarded as
one of the fastest bowlers in the country, he was
by injury over the summer, just Bean or four months ago,
just Bean, but he is the young Cat player in
(00:33):
the squad. If you did miss it this morning, Tom
Latham's the captain, Tom Blundell, Devin Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher,
Matt Henry, Darrell Mitchell, Henry Nichols, Willow Rourke, Ajaz Battel,
Glenn Phillips, Russian Ravindra, Mitch Santoner, Nathan Smith and Will
Young to no King Williamson in that squad and Michael
Brice were allowed to play in the hundred in the UK,
(00:54):
joining us. Now one of the players in that squad.
The new name is Matt Fisher. Matt thinks so much
for your time are here on news Talk ZEDB. Congratulations
on your selection.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Yeah, pretty stoked, A dream come true.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
How did you find out the news. Did Rob Walter
give you a.
Speaker 4 (01:11):
Call I had a camp last week with him, and
after the camp, literally after I bowled my final ball.
Speaker 3 (01:17):
He sat me down and, yeah, told me the news.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Did you feel by going to that camp that you
were in the mix or was it very much to
sort of let's hit along and see what happens.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
Yeah, I thought I was just net bowling because obviously
there's a few players overseas playing in all the leagues,
So yeah, I think they're short on bowlers and I
just had some overs under my belt and I just
thought it was pretty cool to be a part of
the squad.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
And yeah, training with them all week.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
And what did Rob say? What were his reasons for
forgiving you the call up?
Speaker 4 (01:46):
He just basically said he was just keen to get
me in the side, and yeah, to just keep doing
what I've been doing at the domestic level.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
I know that you mentioned your pace. What kind of
pace you're clocking with the red ball?
Speaker 3 (02:00):
Hard to say.
Speaker 4 (02:01):
We don't really have speed cameras all the time, but
sometimes bring them on to training and touch one.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
So it's a decent old ball of the bawl of
the cricket ball. Have you always been sort of that
that fast bowler that has the you know, that that
element in them.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (02:18):
I think from a young age I always wanted to
bowl fast, and yeah, when I was about fifteen, I
grew quite a bit and started bowling very faster than
a few mother mates.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
So yeah, and then just kind of started from there.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
Just coaches keep telling me to bowl fast, and yeah,
I enjoy doing it.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
I saw a we note today that you when you
went down to Otigo, you're sort of more of a
batsman or you regarded yourself as an all rounded down there.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
I don't know where you've heard that problem famed out
a school but quickly realized probably wasn't the option.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
I know you've had a few injuries along the way
as well, including one of the most recent domestic season.
And how half frustrating have they been? Have they been
big setbacks?
Speaker 4 (02:59):
Yeah? The first couple of years, didn't really get a
bowl many balls, actually kicked me out of the season. Yeah,
very frustrating, But talking to a lot of bowlers around
New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
They say it's going to happen.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
So I've just got some good people around me that
kind of led me in the right direction. Just trying
to get stronger and fitter, and they've hinted at the
magic age at twenty five is when those injuries start
to slow down. So now I'm twenty five, I'm hoping
hoping that's the case. But yeah, just trying to stay
as fit as possible and trying to avoid them at
all costs.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
That's the way. Have you had a mentor through your
career at all or you know fast forward that that
you've used to the soundboard.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
Well, I've had Graham Aldredge since I was about sixteen,
who's Yeah, he's just really been really good for me,
able to talk to him about everything, and is my
INDI coach for a couple of years there, and then
lately I've just been able to pick the brains of
Tim Saudi and Neil Wagner, who was lucky enough to
play for for the last couple years, I'll play with
for the last couple of years. So yeah, they've been
(04:01):
great to talk to and really enjoy picking their brains.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Not a bad couple of players to learn from what
would have been there? Their main messages about your growth
and how have they helped you?
Speaker 4 (04:12):
Mainly just backing myself, I think like the more you
bowl in games, is the more confidence you have. Yeah,
I think just backing my pace and kind of the
more cricket I've played, the more skills I'll get. So yeah,
they're just always backed me and that's probably just a
big thing. And then staying on the park, they said
you'll just slowly learn how you can bowl and test
(04:33):
and how you can break games open.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
So no, they're just really good to talk to.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Do you see that primarily as your role is that
you know that that game breaking sort of fast bowler.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
Yeah, I think so. At the moment, probably come on,
try break the game over. Sometimes might go for a
few more runs than the other bowlers, but yeah, I
think that'll probably be the case.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
I'm seeing you obviously in domestic cricket. Do you see
yourself as as a multi format sort of bowler that
can can play the white ball stuff pretty well as well?
Speaker 4 (05:01):
Yeah, I love playing all formats. Still trying to get
the girls and whatnot in T twenty. Probably haven't mastered
that as much yet. But the more cricket I player,
the more skills that developed, in more confidence I get.
But yeah, I love playing all formats and obviously there's
a lot of opportunities.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Coming that are popping up all around the world.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
So yeah, hopefully I'll stick to all three at the moment,
and yeah, hopefully you can get some call ups here
and there for all three.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
And this tour of zimbabwe're just looking at the squad.
I mean, I assuming you know Mitch Satnik quite well,
there are many of the other boys that you're familiar with.
Speaker 4 (05:37):
Yeah, well, I suppose there's any a few teams in
New Zealand around the Domestic Council, always bumping into everyone
and talking to them, So yeah, it'd be good to
I suppose meet some of the other boys and have
a bit more to do with them. But yeah, we've
been lucky enough to train with them and had a
bit to do with them, so hoping i'll fit in.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Alright, what are you expecting out of Zimbabwe? I guess
it's been a while since the black Caps have played
there as well, traditionally sort of hard sort of wickets.
Is that what you're expecting when you get over them?
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Yeah, I think so.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
I've been following the South Africasimbabwe tests at the moment
it looks like there's runs galore, so probably not the
site you want to be seeing as a fastballer, but
I think it would just be a really good opportunity,
and I suppose learning how to adapt on different surfaces.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Yeah, as cricket always been your main passion Matt through the.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
Years, rugby and cricket growing up, and then probably towards
year eleven cricket started taking a ford Yeah, Ford focus,
and yeah, start focusing on that a bit more.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
But yeah, love rugby.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Because I think, well, some Paul's collegiate, which obviously is
Daniel Batori's school, so a fair bit of cricketing pedigree
through those hallways through the years.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
No, we're in the same house, so I haven't actually
had much to do with them, but definitely one for
the ages at Saint Paul's.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
And match a couple of final ones. What's your main goal,
I guess getting out of this tour. I suppose you've
you've got the call up now, so as you begin
to prepare to head off and on the planet in
a week or two, what do you want to get
out of this tour? Is it a dabut or is
it just immersing yourself the black Caps environment?
Speaker 4 (07:09):
Well, obviously you'd want today Bob, but I'll just be
preparing for any any well opportunity that pops up. I'm
just keen to go over and learn and show that
I'm real keen and yeah, just see what it's all about.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
And I guess Rob Waltz is from that part of
the world, is South Africa as well as he giving
you any insight as to the we talked a bit
about the decks, but I guess the conditions everything like
that and what you might come across.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
Not yet, so I think the next couple of weeks
will probably be a bit more detail on that end.
But yeah, he just said kind of congratulations and he's
looking forward to having me.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Well, we're looking forward to seeing you get out on
the picture as well. Hopefully you get a crack with
that red ball. Appreciate your time Matt here on news
Talk ZIB. Thanks for joining us so there, Thank you
for having me.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
For more from sports Talk, listen live to news Talk
ZIB from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.