Veteran batsman Barrington Rowland keeps scoreboard ticking over in club cricket

Auckland cricketer Barrington Rowland
Photo: Supplied

An Auckland cricketer is proving age is no barrier to sports performance.

Often suiting up against opponents half his age, 43-year-old Barrington Rowland continues to score runs by the bucket load.

If you spent any time following premier cricket in Auckland in the last 15 years, the all-rounder has been impossible to miss.

During Rowland’s first class career in India for south Indian state Karnataka, he averaged 40 from 68 Ranji Trophy games, playing 114 matches in total across all formats.

He played alongside legends of the game such as Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble, and opened the batting alongside Robin Uthappa when he hit his highest score of 283.

Barrington Rowland
Photo: Supplied/ Papatoetoe Cricket Club

After arriving in New Zealand at the ripe old age of 28, Rowland ironically said he felt slightly washed up.

“Back in the day, once you passed 25 it was almost like you’re too old. I decided to move on and look around at other options outside India,” Rowland said.

“New Zealand always appealed for its peace and tranquility and watching cricket at 2.30 in the morning with my grandma. I never thought I’d ever come and settle here, but suddenly the place drew me in – next thing you know I was here.”

Rowland first joined Suburbs New Lynn Cricket Club for two seasons, spent five seasons each at Auckland University and Eden Roskill clubs, and has been with Papatoetoe for the last three.

His ability to pile up the runs is up there with the best in the competition. Three years ago he became just the third player since 1952 to clock more than 1000 in a season.

Rowland hit a double century earlier this season, and then scored 164 just days after celebrating his 43rd birthday in January. He hopes the youngsters he plays alongside can take something from his efforts.

“I got a double hundred when I turned 40 years old as well, so they’re my first doubles in New Zealand.

“As I’m getting older I feel like I’m getting wiser and more patient. I’m trying show the boys how to construct big scores. Hopefully they pick up something from it and actually go on and do something as well.”

Auckland cricketer Barrington Rowland (centre), with Hardil Singh (left) and Sahil Kumar.
Photo: RNZ

Rowland coaches at the indoor centre at Papatoetoe, where he said you could find him “seven days a week”.

RNZ visited on a club training night and Rowland was getting ready for a session with the premier team that he plays in and coaches.

Youth player Sahil Kumar was joining in and had hopes of emulating his coach one day.

“He’s a funny guy, good to be around,” Kumar said.

“He’s always joking, but I feel like as a coach it’s good to have so much experience. Barrington’s played Ranji Trophy, India’s high level of cricket, and for a long time in New Zealand as well, so the experience that he has is good.”

It is a sentiment shared by Papatoetoe’s premier men’s captain Daman Bhatti, who said Rowland was one of the best players in the district.

“Playing with Barry is a huge inspiration. He’s dominating club cricket at the age of 43, and if he was a couple years younger he would be destined for higher honours,” Bhatti said.

“He’s awesome, he’s always pushing us to get past our boundaries and trying to make us better ourselves day by day.”

And the praise was not limited to his current clubmates.

New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel made worldwide headlines in 2021 by taking 10 wickets in an innings against India.

He remembered Rowland arriving at Suburbs New Lynn and making an immediate impact.

“I guess hearing the name Barrington Rowland coming from India, I don’t know really what I was expecting, but I was pleasantly surprised when he arrived,” Patel said.

“I remember he came in as a player coach and I still remember the first time watching him bat and thinking, ‘Wow this guy makes batting look very simple’.”

Ajaz Patel
Photo: Saikat Das/Sportzpics for BCCI

Patel started off his own career as an opening bowler, and said Rowland was instrumental in his switch from pace bowling to spin.

“I had a lot of meaningful conversations with him around my thoughts on converting over to spin bowling and the reasons why.

“He was very good at trying to challenge my thinking and making sure that switching was exactly what I wanted to do, but then also, when I did make the decision, he was massive in giving me the support allowing me to continue to play premier cricket.”

The spinner holds Rowland in high regard, and takes inspiration from his hunger for improvement.

“It’s quite amazing that he’s able to do what he’s doing at 43, not only playing premier cricket, but shining in the grade as well.

“He’s immensely talented, but I think one of the things that makes him special is that even though he’s reached that age, he’s still looking to grow as a player and as a person.

“It’s quite amazing to see, and I think youngsters can always take inspiration from that. It’s great to have someone like that in the competition because other players can watch them and learn.”

Patel’s career had taken him all around the globe, but he still saw Rowland as top shelf.

“I still believe he’s one of the best players of spin that I’ve come across, so it goes to show how good a player he actually is.”

Rowland was getting used to hearing all the cliches, and agreed with those who said his career was ageing like a fine wine.

“I 100 percent agree with that. I’ve totally evolved as a player,” Rowland said.

“I was quite defensive when I was playing Ranji Trophy back in India, but now I’m pretty attacking. I think the game has evolved and I’m really proud to say that I have evolved as well.”

And rest assured, he was not planning on stopping any time soon.

“Everyone’s asked me the question, but the year before last I got 1000 runs, last year I got about 800.

“I’m still enjoying scoring runs. As long as I’m enjoying playing and scoring runs and competing out there and the body feels good, who knows, maybe I’ll be 50 playing Premier cricket. Let’s see,” Rowland said with a smile.