B. F. HASTINGS TRANSFERS TO CHRISTCHURCH

Press, Volume C, Issue 29560, 8 July 1961, Page 5

B. F. HASTINGS TRANSFERS TO CHRISTCHURCH

CANTERBURY cricket will gain one of New Zealand’s most promising young batsmen next season, when B. F. Hastings, the Central Districts and former Wellington representative and New Zealand Colts captain, will be in Christchurch. Hastings, who will plav club cricket for West Christ - church-University, has accepted a position in Christchurch and expects to arrive early in August. Success A product of Wellington i College. Hastings first played i senior cricket for the strong I Midland club while still at i school, and was an immedi- ! ate success. He made his first-class debut for Wellington in a Plunket Shield 1 match against Canterbury at c Lancaster Park in the 1957-58 season, scoring 27 and 22. and , later that season appeared in I the final trial match for the v New Zealand team to England. i ; Transferred to Blenheim 1 last season, he scored heav- u ily in club and representa- / tive fixtures and played four F matches for the Central Dis- I tricts Plunket Shield XI. a his best score being 60. 1: against Canterbury. 1

Although still, only 21, Hastings has already had considerable experience as a captain. He led his college Ist XI, the Wellington team which won the Brabin Shield tournament in Christchurch h in 1959-60, and the New Zea- ti land Colts team which was o unbeaten in eight matches in s Australia that season. In Blenheim he captained the tl United club team which ii also contained the New Zea- n land fast bowler, G. A. Bart- tl lett, and one of the Central v

Districts trial teams. He also led the New Zealand Colts in their match at Ashburton against the M.C.C. last season. Hastings is a fluent strokemaker, at his best against faster bowling, and appreciating the hprd, fast wickets in Australia, he scored heavily for the New Zealand Colts. He made 200 not out. 6 and 50, 55. 5, 62, 115, 61, and 45; 599 runs at 74.9. He will be a major gain for West Christchurch-University which in recent seasons has suffered from a lack of attacking batsmen able to support G. N. Gearry. and should provide the Canterbury team with the type of plaver needed, with three leading batsmen away in South Africa.