By Callum Hill.
Back again for the second instalment of the Off Season 10. We previously dove into the rich history of the club’s top ten batsmen. Now we turn our attention to the bowlers. Some impressive performances with the ball in hand have taken place over the clubs history, whether it be George Gearrys 10-50 in 1955/56, Scott Inglis 9-49 in his final season or Jackson Latham’s semi final hat-trick on the way to the 2021/22 one day title, onlookers and patrons have been spoilt with incredible displays since the clubs inclusion in the Christchurch Metro Competition in 1905. We have rustled through the archives and narrowed down the clubs top ten wicket takers. From turn and bounce to swing and seam, Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club has produced some exceptional bowlers who have mastered their craft and have etched their names in the BWCUCC history books, not only champion bowlers, but champion men in their own right.
10 – SJ Hawker and AJ Hintz, 328 Wickets.
Steve Hawker, BWCUCC 1984-95. A champion right arm seamer from the ‘golden era’, of BWCUCC. The 80s and 90s was a period where the club thrived, part of this sustained success was Hawkers seamers. An accurate and intelligent seam bowler, finding outside edges and front pads on his way to six one-day titles and a solitary two-day title. Over both formats, Hawker represented the club 168 times producing 328 wickets, with a BBI of 8-50 and averaging 21.8 in two-day cricket and 23.3 in one-day cricket. Hawker also captained the club at times over his eleven seasons. Post his playing days Hawker has stayed involved with the club, his company Rentworks an ongoing sponsor helping the club and the players progress still today.
Andrew Hintz BWCUCC 1982-94, also played through the ‘golden era’, of BWCUCC bowling slippery fast mediums on his way to 328 wickets for the club. Hintz represented the club 158 times over all formats. Averaging 19.7 in two-day cricket and 16.2 in one-day cricket. His 6-17 is the third best one-day figures in the club’s history. Hintz’s ongoing club form saw him selected for Canterbury in the 1985/86 season, going on to play 11 first class games and 10 list A games where he averaged 21.1 with the ball, with a BBI of 4-23 against Auckland. Although selected as a bowler, Hintz managed a first class half century with a high score of 62. Chronic back problems probably cut short Hintz’s representative career. Hintz opened the bowling with West Indies great Michael Holding in a first class victory over Auckland. Andrew tragically lost his battle with cancer in 2016 aged 52. But is always remembered, with the trophy for the club’s best bowling performance named after him. A true BWCUCC legend, a consistent performer and a precocious talent loved by all of his teammates and a tremendous man.
8- JS Patrick 335 Wickets.
Jimmy Patrick’s quick leggies and impressive durability sees him come in at number 9 on the all time wicket taker list. Playing an astonishing 189 two-day matches for the club from 1934-57. Over the 189 premier games Jimmy played he averaged 20.5 with the ball, taking 17 five wicket hauls and one ten wicket haul. Patrick displays quite the spin bowling CV. Perhaps one of the most impressive days in the clubs history was in the 1953/54 season where Jimmy took 9-95 in an innings against Lancaster Park. By lunch on day one, Patrick had 7-17 and picked two more following the interval, rumour has it that the innings tenth wicket was dropped off his bowling! Patrick was an enthusiastic cricketer who adored the club, even after his 189 premier games, he continued to give back and played lower grades. Being a master at the games hardest craft is one thing, giving back to the club is another, which is something Jimmy did without hesitation. He was deservingly rewarded in 1962 becoming a life member of the club, and the club’s spin bowling trophy is named after him to this day.
7- MD Farrant, 364 Wickets.
A common surname in the BWCUCC record books with father David featuring on the top 10 batsmen. ‘Faz’, as he is affectionately known bowled most of his overs into the famous Burnside Park easterly to cater for his partnering opening quick Scott Inglis. A graduate of Christchurch Boys High School, where he won three Gillette Cups and New Zealand U19 selection followed, Matt troubled batsmen with impeccable seam position and late outswing over his 201 premier games with a BBI of 7/11. Matt earned regular Canterbury A selections over the course of his career, influenced by consistent performances for BWCUCC. Faz was a part of the drought breaking 2017 side that claimed their first trophy in over 20 years and won himself a second title in 2021/22 in his 201st and final appearance, a fitting end to a champion career. Matt will continue to be involved with the club as the Premier bowling coach in 2022/23.
6- CM Kirk, 409 Wickets.
Christopher Kirk a highly regarded left-arm orthodox bowler that plied his trade for BWCUCC for 14 years, from 1966-80. Deceiving batsman with change of pace and sharp turn, collecting 409 wickets from the club along the way. The second best figures in the club’s history with a BBM of 16-64. Also an extremely tidy 8-27 was his best figures in an innings. Consistent performances earned Kirk Canterbury selection and later moved to Otago. Kirk went on to play 35 first class games and six list-A games from 1969-79. Kirk’s stats at first class level are impressive, in 35 games he spun a web, taking five five-wicket hauls at a highly commendable average of 27.25 and a BBI of 7-77. In only six list A games he took 15 wickets at an average of 11.8, a BBI of 5-47 and an economy of 3.14. At club level Kirk also provided valuable middle-lower order runs, scoring a lone century for the club (101). BWCUCC have produced some exceptional spinners over the club’s history, Kirk will have to be in the conversation as the clubs most successful, a master of art and guile. Christopher Kirk was ahead of his time.
5- HJ Kember, 420 Wickets.
Another exceptional left arm slow bowler, the subtle changes of pace often found the pads of opposition players. Hamish Kember took 420 wickets for the club from 1989-2004. Kember holds the club record for most one day wickets (145). Hamish once bowled his set of 10 overs for 6 runs, still the most economical piece of bowling by a BWCUCC player. In one day cricket his BBI was 7-22. Kember proved highly valuable in all formats averaging 17.9 with the ball in two-day cricket with a BBI of 8-55. In the 1989-90 season the premier side got close to two day success, narrowly missing out after a tough final day of the season, ruing some dropped opportunities. Hamish took 40 wickets in that season, being a key figure in taking the competition down to the last day of the season. The 91/92 season saw Hamish take 52 wickets and earn Canterbury selection. Kember represented his province 8 times in first class cricket taking 17 wickets and 5 times in list A cricket, where he had a tidy economy rate of 3.47. Hamish is a current member of the Burnside Presidents side and plays for New Zealand over 50’s. A classy exponent of left-arm orthodox bowling and another one of BWCUCC’s plethora of exceptional spin bowlers.
4- MA Hastings & D Reese, 423 Wickets.
We briefly touched on Mark’s bowling prowess in the previous instalment of the Off Season 10, the batsmen edition where Mark also featured. But we will delve deeper into some truly breathtaking numbers with the ball. In 109 two-day appearances Mark averaged 13.8 with the ball taking 307 wickets with a BBI of 8-35 taking 14 five wicket hauls. Incredible numbers in one format alone. His one day record is just as good, 115 wickets with a best of 5-17. Hastings was in the back end of his career when T20 was introduced into club cricket playing 2 games taking a lone wicket. Mark was a deceptively quick bowler often beating batsmen for pace, he also had an array of weapons in his arsenal, whether it be swing or seam, slower balls or bouncers Mark had all of the tricks up his sleeve. His ability with the bat is well documented, scoring 3 centuries for the club. Representative honours were inevitable for Hastings. He went on to play 10 first class fixtures and 27 list A games for Canterbury and was classed as a triple threat. Dangerous with bat, ball and in the field. An outstanding cricketer and a club legend, the Hastings name is held in the highest regard at the club.
Daniel Reese (Dan) Was a pioneer of cricket in Aotearoa. From a rich sporting family Both brothers, Tom and Jack played cricket for Canterbury. Along with being a top tier all-rounder Dan was a talented rugby player, playing centre-three-quarter (13) for Canterbury. A stroke playing left handed batsman and a slow-medium left arm bowler. Reese played 103 times for the club and posted impressive numbers with both bat and ball. With the bat, Reese scored 11 centuries for the club with an average of 34.8 and a highest score of 209. With the ball, his 423 wickets came at an average of 16.1, 33 five-wicket hauls a BBI of 8-60. Reese was a regular in the Canterbury side where he continued to scale great heights. His first class stats are breathtaking, 76 games, 196 wickets averaging 19.86 and a BBI of 7-53. With the Bat he scored four centuries at an average of 25.25. Reese frequently represented New Zealand. Playing from 1899-1914 captaining the side for nine of those years. He is responsible for New Zealand’s first ever test century, scoring 148 against Lord Hawkes touring English. Reese was a national selector for many years and later the President of New Zealand Cricket. An Engineer by trade and a cricketing great by nature. Reese was instrumental for the sport in the early 20th century.
(An outstanding short piece on Daniel Reese’s life. Written by Fiona Hall)
https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3r9/reese-daniel
3- SN Bateman, 445 Wickets.
A tearaway quick that caused local batsmen havoc in the 80s and 90s. Stephen (Steve) Bateman had raw pace. Bateman played 155 times for the club from 1976-91, in two day cricket alone he took 370 wickets, averaging 17.7 with a BBI of 8-25. Taking five wickets or more on 13 occasions. Bateman also proved handy with the bat notching a premier century. Consistent performances throughout the late 70’s saw Steve deservingly selected for Canterbury. He went on to represent the province 19 times in first class cricket and 14 times in list A cricket, taking 31 & 17 wickets over the two formats respectively. Being a quick bowler can normally limit a players workload, Bateman was an exception, he has bowled the fourth most deliveries in the clubs history, proving that he could keep going and going. Post cricket, Stephen has gone on to have a successful career in business, working dominantly in supply chain and logistics. He is currently the Managing Director of JSP Logistics.
2- PA Sharp, 549 Wickets.
Most cricket fans growing up through the 70’s,80’s and 90’s would be accustomed to Peter Sharp’s dulcet tones on the airways, commentating the summer of cricket since the late 60’s. Known by many as the voice of Canterbury Cricket or ‘the sound of summer’ Peters legendary broadcasting career slightly overshadowed what a talented player he was. Playing 122 games for the club Peter had staggering numbers for the club, 32 five wicket innings, 6 ten wicket matches, an average of 15.6 and a BBI of 8-19 and a superb 16-62 against Old Collegians in the 68/69 season. There are few and far between club records like Peter Sharp’s. An accurate right arm off spinner who rarely missed his assignment. Sharp had a wealth of cricketing knowledge which played into his hands and no doubt was a wicket taking tool. Representative honours came, Sharp played 8 first class games for Canterbury over two seasons, 64/65 and 65/66 and two non first class fixtures for Otago. Originating from Invercargill, he also represented Southland in basketball. Aside from his legendary broadcasting career, Peter spent time as a selector for Canterbury. Before working in various administration roles within the sport. Most notably being the President of Canterbury Cricket and a board member for New Zealand Cricket (NZC). He was also a devoted teacher, being DP at Linwood High School. In 2006 Sharp was awarded a Sutcliffe medal for his services to cricket. Sharp was a true champion in many walks of life. The Premier side play for the Boock-Sharp Trophy annually against Saint Albans, named after Sharp and Stephen Boock. His 21,914 BWCUCC deliveries are yet to be surpassed by anyone and his 549 wickets were only surpassed in 2017.
1- SB Inglis, 643 Wickets.
BWCUCC’s greatest ever wicket taker, legendary Scott (Scotty) Inglis took 643 scalps bowling big right arm inswingers from the top of Burnside Park. Getting steep bounce but also having the ability to hit the pads and stumps. Arriving at the club in 1999 after an extremely successful career at Motueka Cricket Club and regular appearances for Nelson in the prestigious Hawke Cup campaigns. Scotty’s career for BWCUCC alone spanned 20 years, retiring in 2019. As a towering quick his longevity was extremely admirable. Speaking to sources close to Scotty, they put his longevity down to having a great supportive family, great fitness and management of bowling loads and unmatched will and desire. He formed a formidable opening partnership with Matt Farrant that spanned well over ten years. Scotty’s form barely dipped, in 2018 he was the bowler of the tournament at club nationals. The same club nationals that featured Blackcap, James Neesham, Former Blackcap, Jesse Ryder and current first class bowlers Matthew Fisher (ND) and Jayden Lennox (CD). His BBI came in his final season with 9-49 against Riccarton. He was a part of the 2017 drought breaking Championship winning side that took down OBC in the final at Elmwood Park. Scotty went past Peter Sharps 549 wickets in 2017, going on to add almost 100 more in his final few seasons. Scotty is a club legend that is still involved with administration, currently the club’s treasurer. A terrific bowler with an unprecedented record that will be hard to topple. Mr Scott Inglis rounds out the BWCUCC top 10 bowlers of all time.
