Howarth hero of test win, says Benaud

Press, 3 August 1983, Page 40

Howarth hero of test win, says Benaud

NZPA Sydney New Zealand’s cricket captain, Geoff Howarth, is the hero of New Zealand’s historic victory over England at Headingley yesterday, according to a former Austalian captain, Richie Benaud.

Writing in the “Daily Mirror” yesterday, Benaud placed the responsibility for the win squarely on Howarth’s shoulders.

Outlining New Zealand’s 54-year wait for the win, Benaud wrote: “When Geoffrey Howarth stood on the balcony at Headingley half a century later, it must have been just about the sweetest moment of his life.”

He said Howarth took over New Zealand when its fortunes “were a little on the upgrade,” then through the World Series Cup in Australia made New Zealand a real force in the cricket world.

“Howarth, more than anyone else is responsible for

that,” wrote Benaud. “He has shown himself an outstanding leader, calm under pressure, thoughtful in circumstances that might have others losing their cool and an ambassador for the game and his team.” Benaud, whose own firstclass career spanned nearly 20 years and who is listed as one of Australia’s greatest captains, recalled how Australia blew a similar situation two years ago at Headingley as New Zealand found itself in, and described that result as one of the most improbable he had seen for 30 years. “It would have been the same for the Kiwis today if they had blown it,” he wrote. “As it was there were enough raw nerveends to last us all a long time.

“In the end New Zealand inched its ways to the target and Howarth could breathe again.

“In New Zealand he will be a hero, and so he should be.”