We talked with Nick Stevenson, proud captain of Sheep Station’s cricket team, who is competing in today’s Australia Day Big Cricket Cup — he’s in it for the ladies, the booze, and the Aussie glory.

Where in Australia did you grow up?
I grew up in Sydney, around the northern suburbs, primarily Mosman and Manly.

What brought you to Brooklyn?
The women… loads of them. Brooklynites. Genuine people. A chance to embrace the facilities of Sheepstation.

What does Australia Day mean to you?
Australia Day is a celebration of the day we were discovered by Sir Captain James Cook back in 1788. It also represents being a proud Australian. Some say it represents independence from the English but we’re a free country — the more the merrier. Australia Day entails drinking beer, playing sport, sharing the love, BBQ’s, sun and surf, music and cricket…

Do you think cricket is going to catch on in Brooklyn?
It already has. You’ve got the West Indians up at Prospect every Sunday without fail, and I hear there’s a few leagues in the summertime. Just you watch, the name Derek Jeter will be replaced with the likes of your Rick Ponting’s and Brett Lee’s (famous Australian cricketers).

Do you think the Sheep Station team has what it takes to win today’s match?
There should be a trophy nestling on the bar tomorrow evening. We’ve practiced long and hard and sometimes long. Great depth of players. The captain’s a born winner. Sponsored by the best Aussie bar in Brooklyn, only the booze could get in our way.

If you missed our previous Australia Day post, meet Nick’s Brooklyn rival, DUB Pies Cricket Captain Gareth Hughes here.