Cricket: New Zealand’s great John R Reid dies at 92

John R. Reid, New Zealand’s great cricketer and the country’s oldest test player, died in Auckland, aged 92.

Reid, considered one of the best off-roaders in the world during his heyday in the 1950s and early 1960s, was captain of his country in 34 events, including in particular New Zealand’s first three victories.

The first, against the West Indies in Auckland in 1956, snapped a 26-year winless streak for the New Zealand team. The second and third occurred during New Zealand’s series drawn in South Africa in 1961-62.

Reid was a hard-hitting right-hander and energetic bowler who played 58 tryouts, scoring 3,428 runs at 33.28, while taking 85 wickets at 33.35. Of his six centuries of testing, the highest was 142 against South Africa in Johannesburg, in the 1961 Boxing Day event.

When he was 19, Reid made his test debut in Manchester on the 1949 tour of England, scoring 50 and 25; before settling to hold the wicket in the fourth and final Test, during which he scored 93 in his team’s second inning.

He was the last surviving member of the famous 49ers.

After the 1965 tour of England, Reid retired but returned to the UK only a few weeks later to be the captain of the rest of the world in two games against England at Scarborough and Lord’s.

He was later a coach, coach and match referee for the ICC in New Zealand.

Born in Auckland, and educated at Hutt Valley High School in Wellington, Reid played 246 first-class games, scoring 16,128 runs at 41.35, including 39 centuries, while taking 466 wickets at 22.60.

New Zealand Cricket CEO David White praised Reid as a New Zealand cricket colossus in the postwar era, a player who led from the front in all three disciplines and carried the hopes of his team, more or less less, on your own. wide shoulders.

“John R. Reid was New Zealand cricket Colin Meads,” he said. “He was, and will continue to be, a household name in this country, having helped pave the way for everything that has happened in his path.

“Our thoughts and respect are with his family at this time: wife Norli, children Alison, Richard and Ann, and his grandchildren, Oliver, Megan, Christina and Angus.

“NZC will recognize and mark John’s wonderful life and career at the appropriate time.”

A private family service will be held for Reid and a memorial service is being planned at Basin Reserve in Wellington.