Aiming for the top

Press, 4 January 1988, Page 14

Aiming for the top

Another productive summer for the Canterbury batsman, Paul McEwan, would bring him into contention to become the most prolific run-scorer in Canterbury first-class cricket history. McEwan (pictured at right cutting a delivery, much to the consternation of Ervin McSweenney, against Wellington last season) has only Barry Hadlee ahead of him on the all-time provincial list. But Hadlee, who accumulated 4429 runs for Canterbury during an illustrious career at the top of the batting order, has a handy lead. McEwan’s career aggregate is 3736 runs, with Canterbury to begin its Shell Trophy campaign against Auckland at Lancaster Park tomorrow. Aged 33, but no less positive in his outlook than when he made his first-class debut for the national under-23 side in 1976-77, McEwan established a Canterbury record for one season when he mustered 713 runs in 1983-84, a mark exceeded by John Wright’s 780 runs last summer. McEwan is also favourably placed to improve his position on two other counts. With seven centuries for the province, he trails only Walter Hadlee (nine) and Graham Dowling (eight). McEwan should overtake Brian Hastings to become Canterbury’s third most frequent representative — the order is headed by Barry Hadlee (82 matches), David Stead (77), Hastings (72) and McEwan (66), with Vaughan Brown (65) next.

Two years ago McEwan and Brown established a provincial third wicket partnership record of 190 runs against Northern Districts. Since then Brown has transferred to Auckland, and will be among Canterbury’s opponents tomorrow.