Mark Craig
{{Short description|New Zealand cricketer}}
{{Distinguish|text=the St. Elsewhere character}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=November 2016}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name = Mark Craig
| image =
| caption =
| country = New Zealand
| fullname = Mark Donald Craig
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1987|3|23}}
| birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand
| batting = Left-handed
| bowling = Right-arm off break
| role = Bowler
| international = true
| internationalspan = 2014–2016
| testdebutdate = 8 June
| testdebutyear = 2014
| testdebutagainst = West Indies
| testcap = 265
| lasttestdate = 22 September
| lasttestyear = 2016
| lasttestagainst = India
| club1 = Otago
| year1 = {{nowrap|2008/09–2018/19}}
| club2 = Gloucestershire
| year2 = 2014
| columns = 4
| column1 = Test
| matches1 = 15
| runs1 = 589
| bat avg1 = 36.81
| 100s/50s1 = 0/3
| top score1 = 67
| deliveries1 = 3,669
| wickets1 = 50
| bowl avg1 = 46.52
| fivefor1 = 1
| tenfor1 = 1
| best bowling1 = 7/94
| catches/stumpings1 = 14/–
| column2 = FC
| matches2 = 60
| runs2 = 1,902
| bat avg2 = 25.36
| 100s/50s2 = 1/8
| top score2 = 104
| deliveries2 = 11,129
| wickets2 = 151
| bowl avg2 = 42.11
| fivefor2 = 5
| tenfor2 = 1
| best bowling2 = 7/94
| catches/stumpings2 = 53/–
| column3 = LA
| matches3 = 25
| runs3 = 336
| bat avg3 = 21.00
| 100s/50s3 = 0/0
| top score3 = 46
| deliveries3 = 1,102
| wickets3 = 21
| bowl avg3 = 44.33
| fivefor3 = 0
| tenfor3 = 0
| best bowling3 = 3/6
| catches/stumpings3 = 16/–
| column4 = T20
| matches4 = 19
| runs4 = 41
| bat avg4 = 10.25
| 100s/50s4 = 0/0
| top score4 = 19
| deliveries4 = 282
| wickets4 = 7
| bowl avg4 = 57.85
| fivefor4 = 0
| tenfor4 = 0
| best bowling4 = 3/29
| catches/stumpings4 = 11/–
| date = 17 June
| year = 2023
| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/player/497543.html Cricinfo
}}
Mark Donald Craig (born 23 March 1987) is a New Zealand former Test cricketer who played first-class cricket for Otago. A spin bowler, he bowled right-arm off spin, and batted left-handed. He fielded predominantly at second-slip.
Domestic career
Craig was born at Auckland in 1987 and played age-group cricket for the provincial side. His early career was affected by chronic fatigue syndromeFord P (2014) [https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/paul-ford-on-the-selection-of-mark-craig-in-new-zealand-s-squad-738925 Trusting a man with two first names], CricInfo, 23 April 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2013.{{Cite web |date=2016-09-26 |title=Mark Craig {{!}} cricket.com.au |url=https://www.cricket.com.au/players/CA:1697/mark-craig |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=www.cricket.com.au |language=en}} although he went on to play domestic top-class cricket for Otago between the 2008–09 and 2018–19 seasons and in the Netherlands for Hermes DVS in the Topklasse competition in 2012. In 2014 Craig played in England for Gloucestershire. He was awarded his county cap after appearing in only one match for the side.[https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/mark-craig-497543 Mark Craig], CricInfo. Retrieved 17 June 2023.[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/420/420293/420293.html Mark Craig], CricketArchive. Retrieved 17 June 2023. {{subscription required}} Craig also spent two seasons in England playing for Coombs Wood Cricket Club in the Worcestershire League in 2005/06.{{Cite web|url=http://www.worcscl.org/latest_news.htm |title=Latest News |access-date=21 May 2015 |work=Worcestershire League}}
International career
Craig made his Test cricket debut for New Zealand against the West Indies in June 2014, winning the man of the match award for match bowling figures of 8 for 188. These were the best figures by a New Zealand player on debut until William O'Rourke's 9/93 in February 2024.{{cite web |title=Statistics / Statsguru / Test matches / Bowling records |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;debut_or_last=1;filter=advanced;orderby=wickets;team=5;template=results;type=bowling;view=match |publisher=ESPNCricinfo |access-date=15 February 2024}} He was also the first batsman to hit the first ball he faced in Test cricket for six.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cricketcountry.com/articles/mark-craig-and-other-batsmen-who-smashed-six-off-first-ball-faced-in-an-innings-146133|title=Mark Craig and other batsmen who smashed six off first ball faced in an innings|last=Unwalla|first=Shiamak|date=12 June 2014|work=Cricket Country|access-date=29 March 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/cricket/sri-lanka-v-australia-debutant-dhananjaya-de-silva-joins-exclusive-club/news-story/00ea3342ca7ccccb0618b37962e25839|title=Six and in: Debutant's rare feat against Aussies|access-date=29 March 2017}}
Craig showed the ability to bat in tight situations for his team, with his high score of 67 coming in a 4-hour stand with BJ Watling.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/west-indies-v-new-zealand-2014/engine/match/730277.html |title=New Zealand tour of West Indies, 1st Test: West Indies v New Zealand at Kingston, Jun 8–12, 2014 |access-date=8 June 2014 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{cricinfo|id=497543}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Craig, Mark}}
Category:New Zealand cricketers
Category:New Zealand Test cricketers
Category:New Zealand expatriate cricketers in England
Category:Cricketers from Auckland
Category:People with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome