Record In

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29052, 14 November 1959, Page 5

Record In

against the West Indies, and his 31 not out and 34 earned him promotion to number three batsman for the last two games. Foregoing his naturally free and aggressive methods, Mac Gibbon put his head down and defended. His 36 at Wellington was most commendable, and he made a tremendous contribution to the victory in the fourth test which still remains a solitary success. In the second innings he scored 35 at a most critical time, and some magnificent bowling gave him four for 44 in the West Indies first innings; this helped give New Zealand a vital lead of 110. 1958 Tour Mac Gibbon was perhaps at his best on the tour of England last year. In the tests, his admittedly modest batting average of 19.7 was the best of the recognised batsmen, and he bowled wonderfully well. His five for 64 and three for 41 in the first test, his four for 86 in the second, an innings of 39 in the third, a wonderful fighting display for 66 in the fourth, find four for 65 in the fifth were feats of arms, all the more remarkable because they were performed for lost causes. Figures of test careers give no hint of the circumstances in which they are achieved-*the quality of the opposition, the playing conditions, the state of the game-r-and they are, indeed, cold inquisitors. But even here MacGibbon does not yield ground. He has taken most wickets in tests —7O, with Reid next with 47. Sutcliffe and Reid have made more runs, and made more appearances, and taken more catches, than Mac Gibbon, who has bowled more overs for New Zealand than anyone.

Test Figures Mac Gibbon’s test batting average is still a shade below 20, although in his last four series it stands at 27.5. But even 19.7 puts him ahead of such really fine players as F. T. Badcock, J. L. Kerr, F. L. H. Mooney, and dozens of others who have been played purely for their batting. Mac Gibbon has been talking about retirement from the international scene, but cricketers everywhere will hope to see him play for New Zealand again. His long arm shooting out to take another catch, his long striding run to the wicket, the magnificence of his cover thrive—New Zealand cricket can not yet do without them. And it can not do without the energy and enthusiasm with which Mac Gibbon has always played his cricket. Noone could have tried harder, or done the game more lasting credit.