NZC to honour outstanding service

One has a Test average of 144, another has scored more than 100 first-class centuries. There’s one who holds the record for the fastest Test ton, and one who sits in an exclusive club with Ian Botham and Kapil Dev.
 
Some of the biggest names in New Zealand cricket are set to be elected life members of NZC at the annual general meeting in Wellington next month.
 
Twelve former Test players have been recommended for life membership, their playing careers spanning the past 50 years of international cricket, from Glenn Turner (1969-1983) to Brendon McCullum (2004-2016).
 
Included in the nominees are three stars of the New Zealand women’s team: Debbie Hockley, Lesley Murdoch and Emily Drumm.
 
NZC Board chairman Greg Barclay said the time elapsed since the previous election of life members meant a larger-than-usual intake of nominees for this year – but that future nominations would be considered on an annual basis.
 
“This is a truly esteemed group of people who have made enormous contributions to NZC and the game in general, and I’m delighted they’re soon to receive the recognition they deserve.
 
“It’s important we celebrate the men and women who have played such key roles in putting New Zealand cricket on the map.”
 
The nominees include Drumm, who has a Test average of 144.33; Hockley – one of only three New Zealanders (along with Sir Richard Hadlee and Martin Crowe) inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, and Murdoch, a former New Zealand captain, NZC board member, and long-serving sports broadcaster.
 
There’s Turner with 103 first-class hundreds, Brendon McCullum – holder of the New Zealand record for highest Test score (302) and the world record for the fastest Test century (54 balls), and Daniel Vettori, one of only three players to have scored 4000 Test runs and taken 300 Test wickets.
 
Also to be recognised are John Wright and Stephen Boock, who both debuted in New Zealand’s first-ever Test win against England 50 years ago and went on to serve NZC in different ways – Wright as a coach, and Boock as a director and President.
 
Highly influential captains Geoffrey Howarth, Jeremy Coney and Stephen Fleming will be celebrated, as will former wicket-keeper Ian Smith – not only one half of the prolific “c Smith b Hadlee” combination, but also the unofficial “captain” of SKY TV’s cricket commentary team for more than 20 years.
 
Nominees:
 
Emily Drumm
Five Tests (433 runs at 144.33; 2x100s, HS 161* vs Australia) & 101 ODIs (2844 runs at 35.11; 2x100s, 37 wickets). Captained winning New Zealand team in Women’s World Cup 2000. Coached Northern Districts in 2015.
 
Debbie Hockley
Nineteen Tests (1301 runs at 52.04; 4x100s) & 118 ODIs (4064 runs at 41.89; 4x100s). First woman in world cricket to play100 ODIs and to score 4000 ODI runs. Captained New Zealand on 33 occasions. Played in 2000 Women's World Cup winning team. Current, and first woman elected NZC President. Current Sky TV commentator. NZ Women's selector 2002/03-2004/05.
 
Lesley Murdoch
Six Tests (253 runs at 25.30) & 25 ODIs (417 runs at 21.94), captaining NZ in both formats. New Zealand team selector. Member 1995 Hood Committee. NZC Board member 1996-1998. Thirty years in media, often including cricket reporting. Sky TV cricket commentator. Trustee New Zealand Community Trust (a big supporter of cricket).
 
Stephen Boock
Thirty tests (74 wickets at 34.64). Made his Test debut in what became New Zealand’s first ever Test win over England. Also played a prominent role in New Zealand's first series win over England in 1983-84, taking 4 for 37 in a one-sided match at Christchurch. NZC Board director 2002-2011. NZC President 2012-2016. Displayed great presidential leadership when the NZC Board hit rocky times in 2012-13.
 
Jeremy Coney
Fifty two Tests (2668 runs at 37.57, 64 catches), 88 ODIs (1874 runs at 30.72; 54 wickets) Captained New Zealand in 15 Tests including historic 'away' series victories in Australia and England, and, in 1987, a shared-series with dominant West Indies. Admired for dramatic match-saving or winning performances, and for his brilliant slip catching. Superb radio commentator and raconteur.
 
Stephen Fleming
One hundred and eleven Tests (7172 runs at 40.06; 9x100s), 280 ODIs (8037 runs at 32.40; 8x100s)). New Zealand’s highest run-scorer in both formats. Like Geoffrey Howarth, a self-contained leader admired internationally for extracting the best from his BLACKCAPS team. Very influential and successful run as IPL coach. Captained New Zealand in 80 Tests.
 
Geoff Howarth
Forty seven Tests (2531 runs at 32.44; 6x100s), 70 ODIs (1384 runs at 23.06). Inspirational, trail-blazing captain, admired internationally for his composed demeanour; his clear-thinking under pressure, and his tactical instincts. Did an enormous amount to help New Zealand players believe they could successfully compete with the best.  Brief stint as BLACKCAPS coach in mid-1990s.
 
Brendon McCullum
One hundred and one Tests (6453 runs at 38.64, 12x100s, 209 dismissals), 260 ODIs (6083 runs at 30.41, 5x100s, 277 dismissals), 71 T20 internationals (2140 runs at 35.66; 2x100s). Captained New Zealand in 31 Tests. First cricketer to play 100 consecutive Tests from debut. First New Zealand triple century-maker in Tests. His super-aggressive approach to batting and to captaincy, coupled with his leadership respect for the spirit of cricket, changed the face of cricket worldwide.
 
Ian Smith
Sixty three Tests (1815 runs at 25.56, 2x100s, 176 dismissals); 98 ODIs (Captained New Zealand in one Test. Brilliant wicket keeper and aggressive lower-order batsman. Magnificent Sky TV lead-cricket commentator for last 20-plus years.
 
Glenn Turner
Forty One Tests (2991 runs at 44.64, 7x100s), 41 ODIs (1598 runs at 47.00, 3x100s). Captained New Zealand in ten Tests. Broke numerous batting records. Scored over 100 centuries in career. Last player to score the elusive 1000 runs before end of May in county cricket. Helped break down barriers as a New Zealand professional cricketer. Two terms as New Zealand coach; various terms as New Zealand selector, and superb TVNZ cricket commentator in the days before SKY TV.
 
Daniel Vettori
One hundred and thirteen Tests (4531 runs at 30.00, 362 wickets at 34.36), 295 ODIs (2253 runs at 17.33, 305 wickets at 31.71). An amazing BLACKCAPS career starting at age 17. One of only three players, with Ian Botham and Kapil Dev, to have scored 4000 Test runs and taken 300 Test wickets. Hugely influential within cricket in New Zealand, captaining his country in 32 Tests.
 
John Wright
Eighty two Tests (5334 runs at 37.82, 12x100s), 149 ODIs (3891 runs at 26.46, 1x100s). Captained New Zealand in 14 Tests. Magnificent fighter at the top of the order. Enormously courageous against West Indies and Australia fast bowlers. Hugely successful coach of India. Also coached BLACKCAPS.