Meads Near Century

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31384, 1 June 1967, Page 15

Meads Near Century

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON. C. E. Meads could well become the first All Black centurian by the end of the year. Meads has played 87 times for his country, only two behind the record held by the incomparable full-back, D. B. Clarke, who played 89 matches for New Zealand between 1956 and 1964. With the test match against Australia at Wellington on August 19 the day of the Rugby Union's seventyfifth anniversary celebrations, as well as the prospect of an overseas tour of the British Isles and France in October, Meads seems certain to head Clarke by a comfortable margin.

I. Clarke’s record of 253 first-class matches is also in jeopardy. Meads could even surpass it during the present domestic season. Meads has played in 238 first-class fixtures.

Meads has played 37 tests for New Zealand, yet another record. Behind him in the test stakes are W. Whineray who played 32 matches (30 of them as captain), and D. B. Clarke, with 31 matches.

Gama Abandoned.— The Indian touring team’s cricket match against Northamptonshire was abandoned because of rain on the third and Anal day. No play was possible on Saturday and rain restricted play on Monday when the Indians scored 131 for three wickets.