In this episode of Shed Life we talk to KJ, head groundsman at Seddon Park in Hamilton and FMG Stadium, for his third appearance on the podcast. This time he ran us through his greatest moments from 25 years on the ground, from stolen rollers to Shane Warne reeking of bourbon, to watching a game end before the floodlights were even switched on.

Before we got into cricket, KJ had just been recognised for 25 years of service with the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade. He told us the award night was held at FMG Stadium, that the Cambridge brigade loaned their vintage fire truck to get him there, and that a Kingi from the Chiefs brought a haka that he had to fight back tears through. About 110 people came, including people from the Akaroa brigade where he first started and a mate from Christchurch Floats Fire Service Rugby he had no idea was coming. He said the main thing he wanted from the night was acknowledgement of his wife Rachel and his sons Zach and Toby, who were the ones who missed out every time he raced out the door at Christmas dinner.

The cricket stories started with someone stealing the Seddon Park roller in the middle of the night, hot-wiring it, knocking through the gates, and driving it onto the road. KJ found out when a detective rang him the next morning to say they had been in a low-speed pursuit of his roller and found it parked outside Firecats, the strip club around the corner. The thief had apparently been removed by a bouncer and decided the roller was the appropriate response.

The standout match of his career was a 2007 Chappell-Hadlee one-dayer against Australia. Matthew Hayden got 185 not out with a broken toe and Australia posted 346. New Zealand were 41 for four after 10 overs and people started leaving the ground. Craig McMillan made a century, Brendon McCullum got 80-odd, and New Zealand won. Scott Styris rang KJ after the game and told him to bring his boys to the shed with some beers. Stephen Fleming was the captain and the only woman he allowed into the celebratory shed was Rachel, who KJ had only just met. He said it was the kind of night money could not buy.

KJ also told us about Ross Taylor, who scored 10 of his 40 international centuries at Seddon Park, a quarter of his entire career total. When Taylor retired, KJ cut out a piece of the last pitch he played on, framed it, and presented it to him that night.

The Shane Warne story was a highlight. A World XI were touring to replace a cancelled Sri Lanka series after the 2004 tsunami. Warne jumped up on the roller with KJ the morning of the game, asked what he would do if he won the toss, and KJ told him to bowl. Warne won the toss and batted. They got bowled out for 82. Warne then slated the pitch in the media. KJ said Warne absolutely reeked of bourbon at the time.

He also talked about the night Tim Southee played his last test match at Seddon Park. Both teams stayed on the outfield afterwards, had beers on the pitch, and played touch rugby until late. Joe Root stopped KJ in town the next night to thank him for letting them do it.

One of the more unexpected stories was about a one-day game where Trent Boult swung the ball so sharply in overhead conditions that New Zealand bowled India out for around 90 before the floodlights even needed to come on. Everyone who had bought a corporate day-and-night package ended up with just an afternoon.

KJ is also planning a book called Life's a Pitch and is hoping Seddon Park gets included when the new New Zealand T20 franchise competition launches, given the ground has floodlights and a solid record of hosting international cricket.

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