Jock Edwards

{{Short description|New Zealand cricketer (1955–2020)}}

{{For|the footballer|Jock Edward}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=June 2013}}

{{Infobox cricketer

| name = Jock Edwards

| fullname = Graham Neil Edwards

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1955|5|27|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Nelson, New Zealand

| death_date = {{death date and age|2020|04|06|1955|5|27|df=yes}}

| family = Jo Edwards (sister-in-law)

| international = true

| internationalspan = 1976–1981

| testdebutdate = 18 February

| testdebutyear = 1977

| testdebutagainst = Australia

| testcap = 139

| lasttestdate = 13 March

| lasttestyear = 1981

| lasttestagainst = India

| odidebutdate = 21 February

| odidebutyear = 1976

| odidebutagainst = India

| odicap = 22

| lastodidate = 15 February

| lastodiyear = 1981

| lastodiagainst = India

| country = New Zealand

| club1 = Central Districts

| year1 = {{nowrap|1973/74–1984/85}}

| batting = Right-handed

| role = Wicketkeeper-batsman

| columns = 4

| column1 = Test

| matches1 = 8

| runs1 = 377

| bat avg1 = 25.13

| 100s/50s1 = 0/3

| top score1 = 55

| deliveries1 = –

| wickets1 = –

| bowl avg1 = –

| fivefor1 = –

| tenfor1 = –

| best bowling1 = –

| catches/stumpings1 = 7/–

| column2 = ODI

| matches2 = 6

| runs2 = 138

| bat avg2 = 23.00

| 100s/50s2 = 0/0

| top score2 = 41

| deliveries2 = 6

| wickets2 = 1

| bowl avg2 = 5.00

| fivefor2 = 0

| tenfor2 = 0

| best bowling2 = 1/5

| catches/stumpings2 = 5/–

| column3 = FC

| matches3 = 92

| runs3 = 4,589

| bat avg3 = 29.41

| 100s/50s3 = 5/25

| top score3 = 177*

| deliveries3 = 71

| wickets3 = 0

| bowl avg3 = –

| fivefor3 = –

| tenfor3 = –

| best bowling3 = –

| catches/stumpings3 = 126/16

| column4 = LA

| matches4 = 31

| runs4 = 588

| bat avg4 = 20.27

| 100s/50s4 = 0/0

| top score4 = 49

| deliveries4 = 6

| wickets4 = 1

| bowl avg4 = 5.00

| fivefor4 = 0

| tenfor4 = 0

| best bowling4 = 1/5

| catches/stumpings4 = 19/0

| date = 4 April

| year = 2017

| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/player/36952.html Cricinfo

}}

Graham Neil Edwards (27 May 1955 – 6 April 2020){{Cite news|url=https://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=309358|title=One of New Zealand cricket's first big-hitting batsmen has died|website=NZCity|date=6 April 2020|accessdate=6 April 2020}} was a New Zealand cricketer. He played eight Test matches and six One Day Internationals for New Zealand.

Life and career

Edwards was born in Nelson, and attended Nelson College.Nelson College Old Boys' Register, 1856–2006, 6th edition

He was a short, stocky wicketkeeper who was a good enough batsman to make his Test debut against Australia in 1976–77 as a specialist. He was brought back in 1977–78 as a wicketkeeper-batsman and made 55 and 54 on his comeback against England at Auckland. That won him selection for the England tour in 1978 where his performances were disappointing – one member of the BBC commentary team said that Edwards was "the worst wicketkeeper I've ever seen ... he's made mistakes you'd have the 3rd XI 'keeper at school running round the pitch for".{{cite web|last1=Lewis|first1=Paul|title=Keeper decision is Wright|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10780224|work=The New Zealand Herald|accessdate=19 October 2015}} But the genial Edwards kept his spirits up and was a popular tourist. He returned for three home Tests against India in 1980–81 where he chipped in with useful runs, but the emergence of Ian Smith signalled the end of his international career.

Edwards played first-class and List A cricket for Central Districts from 1973–74 to 1984–85. His highest first-class score was 177 not out against Wellington in 1980–81, which was also his most successful season, with 812 runs at an average of 47.76.{{cite web |title=Central Districts v Wellington 1980–81 |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/40/40900.html |publisher=CricketArchive |accessdate=8 April 2020}} He was also a prominent player in the Hawke Cup for Nelson for many years, scoring 236 against North Canterbury in his last match, including six sixes and 29 fours.{{cite news |last1=Pine |first1=Jason |title=Remembering Nelson cricket legend Jock Edwards |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12323240 |accessdate=8 April 2020 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=7 April 2020}}

After retiring from cricket he ran a pub in Murchison, then worked as a gate-keeper at Port Nelson. He had several minor heart attacks before undergoing surgery for a triple bypass in 2007. He died on 6 April 2020.{{cite news |last1=Millmow |first1=Jonathan |title=Edwards has problems but few regrets |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/9488143/Edwards-has-problems-but-few-regrets |accessdate=8 April 2020 |publisher=Stuff |date=7 December 2013}}

References

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