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INTERNATIONAL CRICKET TEAM VISITS TO THE BAY OF PLENTY CONTINUE AFTER WW2

In the two decades after World War two, Fiji were reasonably regular visitors to New Zealand, playing mostly provincial sides. On the 1 April 1948 the Bay representatives met Fiji in a one-day encounter at the Kuirau Reserve in Rotorua. Bay of Plenty were dismissed for 143 with Leicester Spring top scoring with 48 and E Wells recording 34 runs. Wells was the main destroyer of the Fiji innings taking 5/46, as the tourists were all out for 122 to hand the Bay the victory.

The match against Fiji at Rotorua Boys High on the 11th March 1954 was an extremely low scoring contest. The Bay made 54 with Fiji reaching 72 before dismissal in their first turns at bat. In a desire to get a result the local side declared at 74/8 with Fiji getting home for the victory with five wickets in hand. Eric Hutcheson again top scored for Bay of Plenty with 17 runs. One of the Bay’s outstanding bowlers of the era J Ruff grabbed six wickets in the Fijian first innings total of 72.

The December 1961 match between Bay of Plenty and Fiji at Smallbone Park, was typical of the free spirited approach from the Fijian sides that came to New Zealand. Fiji was renowned for its side’s big hitters, and although beaten by six wickets, Isoa Logavatu entertained the crowd smashing four 6’s and eight 4’s. Des Ferrow set up the win with the ball taking 4/48 and 3/13, while C Grey top scored in both the Bay of Plenty innings with 38 and 44 runs.

Fiji continued their regular visits to New Zealand in the 1967/68 cricket year, meeting the Bay at the Tauranga Domain on 18/19 December 1967. Fiji were always on the back foot after being dismissed for just 86 in their first innings. G W (Gerry) Stewart fell one run short of his century when given out on 99 as the Bay reached 314/5 declared. Bay of Plenty grabbed an outright victory when they dismissed Fiji for 177 in their second turn at bat.

During the mid 1950’s to mid 1960’s era there were a number of undoubted highlights, with the visit of the MCC in 1961 topping the list. Captained by Dennis Silk, the tourists were in New Zealand for three months, and attracted keen interest wherever they appeared. On the 14th and 15th February 1961, the MCC played a combined Bay of Plenty/Thames Valley team at the Tauranga Domain.

A short match report appeared in the 1961 edition of the Cricket Almanack. “Prideaux scored 40 of the 80 for the first wicket, with Watson who went on to total 114, including eleven 4’s, being dismissed at 212/3, having added 131 for the third wicket with Padgett. After compiling 297 in 262 minutes MCC declared and dismissed the opposition twice in succession to gain an innings victory”.

The Bay of Plenty players in the combined side were W Williams, J Kinder (Te Puke) K Dawkins, DJ Ferrow (Tauranga) J Crocker (Rotorua) N Butler (Opotiki)

On 19 March 1969 Bay of Plenty cricket fans had a rare treat when the West Indies team, who were touring New Zealand, stopped off for a one-day match. While the Bay of Plenty invitation eleven were never in the hunt, they got to see some of the best players in the world at close quarters. Batting first, the West Indies were in majestic form as they blasted 308 runs. Charlie Davis was in magnificent touch, recording a century, while Garry Sobers hit what is believed to be the biggest six ever seen at Smallbone Park on his way to scoring a half century. ND (Northern Districts) batsman Bruce Pairaudeau top scored with an unbeaten 61 as the Bay invitation side were restricted to 142/7.