J. T. Ward, wicket-keeper of outstanding talents

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31760, 17 August 1968, Page 11

J. T. Ward, wicket-keeper of outstanding talents

QNE of the most pressing problems the New Zealand cricket selectors will have to solve in the coming season is the discovery of a wicket-keeper, or wicketkeepers, for the tour of England, a. tour which seems certain to extend to India and Pakistan.

The selectors would be more than half-way home were they sure that J. T. Ward, of Timaru, would be available for the tour, for he is in a class of his own in New Zealand cricket at present. But Ward, as conscientious in business matters as he is on the field, is by no means a certain candidate for selection; it will be a severe blow if he cannot go.

In his 10 seasons of firstclass cricket in New Zealand, Ward has won the highest regard for his safe and stylish Wicket-keeping. At a dismissal rate far in

excess of other leading New Zealand ’keepers, he became last season only the third man to achieve a total of 200 wicket-keeping victims. The “Cricket Almanac” puts his total at 213, equal with F. L. H. Mooney and only 14 behind the record set by E. C. Petrie. But Ward’s 213 includes three catches for New Zealand against Northamptonshire in 1965, when he kept wicket as a substitute for A. E. Dick in the second innings. The laws of the game do not cover statistics, but the validity of those three catches is debatable. It matters little, although Ward, with the best record of all top New Zealand ’keepers, deserves to head the list; another Plunket Shield season will probably turn the trick. In technique and in temperament, Ward is almost beyond compare. His easy foot-work puts him in position so readily that some of his .finest catches have looked simple. His reliability is extraordinary; if Ward drops a catch, it is as if a waiter at the Savoy has spilled the drinks. Ward began his first-class career playing for the South Island against the North in 1957-58 and he took five catches in the first innings. He went to England as Petrie’s understudy in 1958, and performed most ably. He did not play Plunket Shield • cricket for Canterbury until 1959-60 but since then has broken all provincial records.

Ward’s career has been blighted to some extent by injury. He was chosen as first wicket-keeper for South Africa in 1961-62 but an injury forced him to give way to A. E. Dick, and Dick won the test place. In 1965, Ward was hurt at the start of the tour of India, but carried on without com-

plaint; Dick arrived as a replacement for the tests in Pakistan, and shared duties with Ward in England. Today, Ward, quietly efficient as ever, is undisputed leader of New Zealand wicket-keepers. With his skill. Ward has given much to cricket His contribution does not end theie. No touring team could have had a more willing or cheerful member than Ward has been on his three tours. No captain could have a more loyal or thoughtful player; little wonder that Ward has won the warmest regard of cricketers, as well as of the watchers.

It is typical of him that he has spent considerable time and effort in coaching B. P. Isherwood of Ashburton, his closest rival for the position of Canterbury’s 'keeper. A thorough team man, modest in manner, a quiet humorist. Ward is a cricketer of character; the courage which has helped him through periods of adversity has often been seen in his batting too.

The Canterbury Cricket Association paid graceful tribute to Ward with a presentation, to mark his 200th dismissal, at the recent Technos-Titan trophy dinner. There are no more popular cricketers than Ward, few better ones; it would be a tragedy if the New Zealand team of 1969 was to be without him.