Brian Hastings: Burnside’s Pride – Callum Hill
The loss of a legend is perennially bittersweet. It provides an opportunity to reflect, especially on someone who spent their lifetime giving back to the game they cherished and the people surrounding it. The late Brian Hastings certainly left the game in a better place than he found it, right down to the grassroots level. As the news of his passing spreads, it’s a moment to pause – not just on his achievements at the highest level but on the deep connection he had with the cricketing community, particularly his beloved Burnside-West Christchurch University Cricket Club (BWCUCC).
A life member and one of the greatest players to come out of BWCUCC, Hastings’ record at the club is legendary. Between 1961 and 1982, he played 147 matches, scoring 13 centuries and 41 half-centuries, with an average of 34.2. His highest score of 153 still resonates in the club’s history, as does his unique achievement of being the only player to score centuries in both innings of a two-day match. Known as a noted timer of the ball, he was an exceptional off the back foot, garnering massive respect for the technical approach to his craft. He is the second highest run scorer in the club’s history with 7481 runs.
Brian’s first-class career kicked off early – at just 17 – in his native Wellington, before stints at Central Districts and Canterbury. He played 163 first-class matches, scoring 15 centuries and averaging 31.89. In 1969, he became Blackcap No.116 when he made his Test debut against a fearsome West Indies attack. Batting at number four, with fellow BWCUCC great Graham Dowling opening the innings and captaining the side, Hastings made a gritty 21 and 31 on debut, falling to none other than Sir Garfield Sobers and David Holford. In the second Test of that series before his century in Christchurch in the 3rd to save that Test, he scored 62 not out to play a major contribution to NZ winning that second Test.
He went on to play 31 Tests and 11 ODIs, with his finest knock a classy, unbeaten 117 against the West Indies in Christchurch. One of his most memorable achievements came in Auckland, where he shared a record 151-run partnership for the final wicket with Richard Collinge against Pakistan. Post-playing, Brian continued to serve the game as an ICC match referee, overseeing 10 Tests and 18 One Day Internationals between 2000 and 2002, he served as president of Canterbury Cricket for 3 years, and he also served as president of BWCUCC.
Brian’s late son Mark was also a BWCUCC legend, who represented the club 205 times and played 37 matches for Canterbury.
Post playing, Hastings had a successful career in media, working as a manager with The Press in Christchurch for 38 years before retiring in the late 1990s. After his retirement, he joined his former Test teammate Graham Vivian in his artificial turf supply business. He also served as president of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club, reflecting his broad interests beyond cricket.
Yet despite all of this, what truly set Brian Hastings apart wasn’t just his achievements on the field but his unwavering commitment to the grassroots of the game. His connection to BWCUCC remained steadfast, where he was arguably the club’s most prominent figure and made club cricket feel as important as his days facing the world’s best bowlers. Our club would literally not be where we are today as he was at the forefront of the group in 1972 who vision directed the club to move to Burnside Park and amalgamate with the suburban Burnside Cricket Club. Later in the early 2000’s when the club was in need again Hastings once again came forward
Hastings’ contribution to BWCUCC wasn’t just as a player or an administrator – it was as a person who had an unprecedented knowledge of the spirit of the game and who never stopped giving back.
As BWCUCC and New Zealand cricket bid farewell to one of their own, we remember Brian Hastings not just as a legend on the international stage, but as a humble man whose love and knowledge for cricket was held in the highest regard. His legacy will live on through his wife Maureen and son Mike. Also, in the stories told at the clubrooms, where future generations will hear about the man who timed the ball better than most, was always up for a challenge and, who gave back even more than he took from the game he adored.
Hugh Perret has also provided a tribute to Brian about his Wellington College days