Syd Ward (cricketer)
 Syd Ward in December 1933 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Sydney William Ward | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 5 August 1907 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 31 December 2010 (aged 103) Featherston, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Right-arm medium | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1929/30–1937/38 | Wellington | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Cricinfo, 9 July 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sydney William "Syd" Ward (5 August 1907 – 31 December 2010) was an Australian-born New Zealand cricketer. Ward was a right-handed batsman who bowled right-arm medium pace. He was born in Sydney, New South Wales, and, from the death of Frank Shipston on 6 July 2005 until his death, was considered the oldest living first-class cricketer and the second oldest ever, behind Jim Hutchinson.[1] Following his death, Cyril Perkins became the oldest living first-class cricketer.[2]
Ward was born in Australia, but moved to New Zealand at some point prior to playing first-class cricket for Wellington. His first-class debut for Wellington came in the 1929/30 Plunket Shield against Otago.[3] From 1929/30 to 1937/38, he represented Wellington in 10 first-class matches, with his final first-class match coming against Canterbury.[4] In his 20 first-class innings, he scored 282 runs at a batting average of 14.84, with a single half century high score of 61, which came against Auckland in the 1934/35 season.[5]
Outside of cricket, there is an indication that Ward played football for Waterside, who won the 1940 Chatham Cup, with Ward scoring a goal in the final against Mosgiel as Waterside ran out 6-2 winners. This was the team's third straight title.
Ward worked as a jeweller and watchmaker in Wellington until 1982, then retired to the Wairarapa farming village of Kaiwaiwai, between Featherston and Martinborough.
References
- ^ Jim Hutchinson
- ^ Bolton, Paul (4 June 2011). "Rare cricketing century for Cyril Perkins". The Wisden Cricketer. www.thecricketer.com. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
- ^ Otago v Wellington, 1929/30
- ^ First-Class Matches played by Syd Ward
- ^ Auckland v Wellington, 1934/35