Club: Onslow  

Wellington Firebirds debut: v Otago 2009-10 (first-class)
Best bat: 142 not out v Otago Volts 2009-10 (first-class)

Exciting batting all-rounder Stewart Rhodes earns his first Wellington Firebirds contract in 2011-12 on the back of a series of consistent performances over the past two seasons.

Formerly of New South Wales, Rhodes moved to Wellington four years ago and announced his New Zealand first-class arrival by scoring 142 not out on debut against the Otago Volts at Queenstown in December 2009. He followed that up by making 53 against the Central Stags in his next match.

Last season he played six Plunket Shield matches and hit another three 50s, while he was also played an integral part in the Hell Firebirds’ Twenty20 campaign. In the HRV Cup he played all nine matches and his tally of 201 runs included a commanding innings of 75 off 60 balls in an away win over the Central Stags. He also played in all seven of the Firebirds domestic Men’s One-Day competition matches in 2010-11.

The left-handed Rhodes has had success as an opener and as a middle order player, reflecting versatility for shot making and innovation at the crease and patience and concentration. Rhodes is also a more than useful medium paced right arm bowler and is an asset in the field.

STEWART RHODES

Playing style: All-rounder

Nickname: Ralph

Secondary school attended: Blue Mountain Grammar School (NSW)

Club: Onslow

Earliest cricket memory: Playing backyard cricket with my brother

Favourite ground to play cricket on: Nairnville Park

Most memorable cricket moment: Debuting for Wellington in Queenstown

If I could bat/bowl in partnership with any cricketer from any era I would chose: Doug Walters...one of the true characters, and it would be quality to bat with him

Favourite player growing up: Steve Waugh

The non-cricketing sports person or team I most admire: George Best

If I wasn’t a Firebirds cricketer I’d be: A professional gambler

Favourite superhero : Superman – because he can fly

Favourite book/magazine:   Penrith Grade CC Newsletter

Favourite holiday destination: Devon in the UK

If I was in a band I would play the: Bass

In my spare time I like to: Fish

Most people don’t know that I: Am Eskimo brothers with Lasith Malinga

My signature dish is: Chicken wraps