SEVERAL BAY PLAYERS REACH NOTABLE MILESTONES

Posted: Tuesday, 13 January 2015

A number of current Bay of Plenty representative players have brought up notable milestones in the 2014/15 season.

Bay of Plenty Skipper Peter Drysdale, master blaster Bharat Popli and quick bowler Tony Goodin, have all earned their Bay of Plenty baggie cap, for 50 matches in the blue and gold uniform.

However the three current Bay players, have some way to go to eclipse Derek Beard and Michael Wright, who are the only two players to bring up the magical one hundred games for the Bay. Derek Beard played 105 matches in the Bay uniform from 1980 to the 1997-98 season. Mike Wright tallied some 103 games over 25 seasons for Bay of Plenty, interspersed with numerous appearances for Northern Districts.

The paucity of games in first half of Bay of Plenty Cricket history is shown by the feats of Stu Harris. Harris was a permanent fixture in Bay sides of the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s sitting in fourth place on the all time list, spread over 23 seasons. Current Northern Knight Jono Boult, joined Harris in fourth equal place with 60 Bay appearances, during the ND One-Day tournament in early December.

Bay of Plenty captain Peter Drysdale, has rocketed up the all time appearance list taking just five years to post 55 games for the Bay, with Bharat Popli and Tony Goodin also bringing up the half century mark in the current season.

Master blaster Bharat Popli, who holds the Bay record of six centuries, joined a elite group last season becoming the fifth Bay batsmen to score 2000 runs for his province and currently sits on 2288. Sitting astride the all time lists of runs is Mike Wright with 3950 runs followed by Derek Beard, Mathew Hart and Grant Manners.

Four other current Bay players have reached the milestone mark of 1500 runs. Peter Drysdale sits on 1914, with Jono Boult posting 1782, while Brett Hampton and Joe Carter reached the magical mark this season.

Just six Bay of Plenty bowlers have taken over one hundred wickets since Bay of Plenty representative records began in 1932. Derek Beard is entitled to be called the best all rounder to play for the Bay, taking a remarkable 204 wickets to add to his 2843 runs. Sitting in second place on the all time wickets list is Mathew Hart with 168 bowling scalps followed by Hira Unka in third place.

Current Bay of Plenty strike bowler Tony Goodin is in fourth place with 125 wickets, closely followed by Graeme Aldridge and Jono Boult who reached the 100 mark late last season.

Bay of Plenty All-Time Representative Appearances
Derek Beard (1980/81 – 97-98) 105
Michael Wright (66/67 – 91/92 102
Grant Manners (87/88 – 2000/01) 79
Stuart Harris (60/61 – 83/84)   60
Jono Boult (03/04 – current)   60
Matthew Hart (87/88 – 04/05) 56
Ben Williams (02/03 – 13/14)   55
Peter Drysdale (09/10 – current) 55
Matthew Drake (00/01 – 11/12) 54
Mitchell Sweetman (98/99 – 07/08) 51
Bharat Popli (08/09 – current) 52
Grant McKenzie (86/87 – 94/95 50
Tony Goodin (05/06 – current) 50

Bay of Plenty All-Time Runs
Michael Wright 3950
Derek Beard   2843
Matthew Hart   2446
Grant Manners 2368
Bharat Popli   2288
Peter Drysdale   1914
Richard Shrimpton 1780
Jono Boult   1782
Grant McKenzie 1643
Brett Hampton   1567
Joe Carter   1545

Bay of Plenty All-Time Wickets
Derek Beard   204
Matthew Hart   168
Hira Unka   127
Tony Goodin   125
Graeme Aldridge 123
Jono Boult   103

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