Callum Hill: My Greatest XI
Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club | July 28, 2025
Callum Hill has worn many hats over his nine-year senior cricket journey. Hailing from Te Awamutu in country Waikato and schooled at Christchurch Boys High School down in Canterbury. His career began with the Melville Cricket Club in Hamilton where he was a junior and his father, Fraser, played 150 games.
Callum notched up over 90 First Grade appearances won two Premierships and represented both Hamilton and Waikato Valley in the Hawke Cup.
During this time, he also ventured overseas, spending several seasons with the Scholes Cricket Club in Huddersfield, England. Later, he relocated back to Christchurch to begin his studies at the University of Canterbury and joined the Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club (BWCUCC), playing a key role in their 2021 One Day Championship triumph.
A job opportunity then took him to Australia, where he turned out for North Sydney becoming First Grade cap 696 – playing out of North Sydney Oval which was once graced by Sir Donald Bradman.
Now dominantly back in Christchurch, Callum has returned to BWCUCC, bringing with him a wealth of experience and finally getting to drink out of the two-day cup last summer. Across all his clubs, two things remain consistent: a knack for winning silverware and the privilege of playing alongside top-class teammates.
Callum Hill: This was a tough task to narrow down, but here is the best XI from my time as a Mustang, Lion and Bear in grassroots cricket.
1 – Michael Dodunski (Melville)
One of the most gifted cricketers I have ever played with. Had the pleasure of opening the batting with 'Doubles' at Melville for two or three seasons, and shared the Hamilton dressing room. He was a fierce competitor and always stood up when you needed him most. His batting was classy, and he scored extremely well through the off side. Also, a fantastic swing bowler who took regular bags of wickets, often opened the batting and the bowling for Melville, Hamilton and Marist Suburbs when he moved on. Responsible for some of the greatest blow ups I have seen on the field as well, which was always entertaining.
A crying shame he never played any first-class cricket, a real missed opportunity.
Dodunski fields under the helmet for Hamilton in the Hawke Cup with club teammate Tim Seifert at the crease.
2 – Tom Latham (Burnside West Christchurch University)
Test captain, one of New Zealand's best ever and a BWCUCC junior, I think his international record explains how good he is better than I ever could.
Test skipper, Tom Latham – BWCUCC Junior.
3 – Tim Seifert (Melville)
Probably unlucky to not have the gloves in this side. Such a brilliant ball striker, and could dismantle any attack as he is showing in franchise cricket across the globe. I have never felt more in danger at the non-strikers' end than when I batted with Tim; he just hits it so hard.
Seifert in action for Melville.
4 – Joe Carter (Scholes)
Carts has been one of the most consistent performers in first-class cricket for Northern Districts here in NZ. We both have British passports, so we got to play as locals at the great Scholes CC in the North of England. Carts was simply too good for this level and is one of the most aesthetically pleasing batsmen in the country.
One of the best on this list to have a beer with, too. Here is hoping a test cap comes his way in the near future because he deserves it and certainly wouldn't do it a disservice.
Hill and Cater with the Sykes Cup in Huddersfield in 2017.
5 – Keir Bettley © (Melville)
So reliable, when Melville won the 2018/19 premiership. Keir played one of the best knocks I have ever seen to win us the Howden Cup for the first time in a decade, scoring 151 in the three-day final. He did this regularly when you needed him to, and is, in my opinion, probably Melville's greatest ever. Hundreds of games and a one-club player.
One of the best sets of hands in the slips, and very calm. A great captain who tasted regular Hawke Cup success during his 120 (or more) games for Hamilton. Also bowled handy leg-spin, and I believe he got a wicket with his first ball in his only first-class game, niche stat.
Bettley is one of Melville’s best ever and has the record to prove it.
6 – Mitchell Hay (wk) (Burnside West Christchurch University)
Has the best set of gloves in the country and is an excellent batsman.
Higher honours were always on Mitch's horizon, and he is now establishing himself at the highest level, which is epic to see.
Being great mates with his older brother, Matt, who comes into this side next, we spent our fair share of time playing in the backyard at the Hay residence. Mitch would always hold his own in some hostile BYC encounters, but would always fall victim to his brother's bumper plan, hit one over the fence, and refuse to fetch the ball because of his bee allergy, which I found out as an adult was a complete lie.
One of three international glovemen in this team. Hay gets the mits in this side.
7 – Matthew Hay (Burnside West Christchurch University)
I played alongside Matt for all but one of our five years at Christchurch Boys' High School, where we rarely lost. Matt has always been a winner and probably the most competitive person I have ever played with.
He is now the most successful captain in BWCUCC history, has played for Canterbury, and consistently tops the runs and wickets charts in the Christchurch Premier competition. Batting seven is probably slightly low, but he is an excellent finisher and would combine well with the next on this list as a spin-bowling partnership with his right arm off spin.
Hill (middle); Hay (right) during their time at school.
8 – Freddy Walker (Melville)
If Matt Hay is the most competitive, Freddy Walker is in the Grand Final against him. A brilliant left-arm finger spinner who forged a handy professional career for Northern Districts. I was lucky enough to keep wickets to Fred for several years, and you always felt like you were in the game regardless of what sort of pitch you were playing on. He would beat players with spin, in the air, or just blow their pads off with something a bit quicker.
Fred was also a very capable batter who scored numerous centuries off not many balls for Melville. Just a fantastic all-round cricketer, you always liked your chances when Fred was getting ready in the sheds.
Freddy Walker in action for ND.
9 – Will O'Rourke (BWCUCC)
Tall, fast, frightening and now one of the best quicks on the planet. Another player who doesn't need me to explain how good they are; the proof is there.
WOR in BWCUCC kit.
10 – James Campbell (North Sydney)
I played at North Sydney during the back end of Cambo's career. But he still had all the tools in his arsenal to rip apart batting lineups. Bowls fast and shapes it both ways, one of my least favourite players to face in the nets.
Just a quality fast bowler who constantly challenged stumps and defences.
James Campbell.
11 – Mike Allen (Melville)
Every team has to have a sprinkle of intensity. Mike bowled like the wind and was very good at it. He always got in the contest and delivered hostile intensity with the ball and his words. He made some quality players look very silly. A great man off the field and always looked out for me and the other young blokes making their way in senior cricket. Champion fella and cricketer.
Mike Allen in full flight. Stalwart substitute fielder, Marcus Whakataka filling in at Mid Off.
12th – Justin Avendano (North Sydney) / Alex Tait (BWCUCC)
Both are very unlucky to miss this side. Avo is as talented as I've seen; it's just pure poetry to watch when he gets going. Should have played more BBL than he did.
Taity delivers consistent excellence with the new ball and is a pleasure to keep wicket to, another guy who has made some good players look very ordinary. More than capable with the bat.
BWCUCC win in 2021.
Coaches – Carl Huyser (BWCUCC) & Nic Bills (Norths)
These two would complement each other well. Both are fantastic coaches in different ways. Nic has an elite tactical brain, and I'd send any young bowler to him in a heartbeat. Might I add that Billsy could easily make this side as a player.
He is just starting out in his coaching journey. In my experience, Nic was massively underappreciated during my time at North Sydney.
Carl is the best I have seen at getting the best out of players and backing them to the hill. Incredibly positive and values every player's opinion. He is the most successful coach in Burnside's history for a reason: what he does works. Also, a fantastic player.
Melville’s 2018/19 Hec Holland Plate winning side.
Scorer – Russell Wilson (Melville)
Just an absolute legend. Rusty did everything for his beloved club while I was there, since I was a 6-year-old watching my dad play for Melville until my final game in 2021. He would even occasionally subfield after an injury. Club sport would be in a far better space if it had more people like Rusty.
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