One of Wellington cricket’s greats now has a room to match.

A special piece of Wellington cricket history was celebrated at Cello Basin Reserve last Friday evening, with the home team viewing room in the Ewen Chatfield Pavilion officially named the Luke Woodcock Viewing Room.

The Basin Reserve Trust and Cricket Wellington made the announcement at a special celebration on 18 September, bringing together Luke’s family, close friends, teammates, coaches, and colleagues, many of the people who have shared different chapters of his remarkable cricket journey.

The evening was MC’d by Jason Pine, with Cricket Wellington CEO Todd Bryant, Cello Basin Reserve Venue Manager Ryan Holland, former Firebirds teammate Stephen Murdoch, WHITE FERNS Captain Melie Kerr and Basin Reserve Trust Chairman Alan Isaac among those sharing stories, laughs and memories of Luke and his contribution to cricket.

And there’s certainly plenty to talk about.

Luke began his cricket journey with Johnsonville Cricket Club, where he remains the club’s record-holder for runs and centuries, before making his Wellington debut in 2001 at just 19.

Across an incredible 384 appearances for Wellington in all three formats, Luke scored 10,594 runs and took 339 wickets. He holds Wellington records for first-class appearances and runs, as well as T20 appearances and wickets.

His career included Wellington’s 2004 first-class title, the 2014 Ford Trophy and T20 championships in 2015 and 2017. He also represented the BLACKCAPS, playing four ODIs and three T20 internationals and featuring in the 2011 Cricket World Cup squad.

In 2017, Luke became the most-capped first-class player for a single team in New Zealand when he made his 128th first-class appearance for Wellington.

But, as anyone who knows Luke will tell you, it’s never really been just about the numbers.

After finishing his playing career, Luke continued to make his mark through coaching roles with the Wellington Blaze and the organisation’s men’s pathway programme. His time with the Blaze included three Super Smash titles and a Hallyburton Johnstone Shield title.

For Luke, Wellington cricket has been as much about the people as the cricket itself.

“I’ve spent a lot of time at the Basin over the years, so having a room here with my name on it is pretty special and probably something I never expected when I made my Wellington debut at 19,” Luke said.

The naming of the home team viewing room recognises Luke’s extraordinary contribution to Wellington cricket, both on and off the field, while giving current and future players a pretty cool place to gather, watch the game and, no doubt, tell a few stories of their own.

From Johnsonville to the Basin, from player to coach, and from teammate to mentor, Luke has been part of Wellington cricket for more than two decades.

And now, quite literally, there’s a room with his name on it.

Article added: Wednesday 23 September 2026