Bruce Edgar

Bruce Adrian Edgar (born 23 November 1956) is a former cricketer who represented New Zealand in both Test and One Day International (ODI) format. A chartered accountant by profession, Edgar played as a left-handed opening batsman and an occasional wicketkeeper during one of New Zealand's most successful eras in international cricket. He gained respect across the cricket world for his courage against the fastest bowlers of his era (which included greats like Imran Khan, Michael Holding, Bob Willis and Dennis Lillee), his classically straight batting technique, and his outstanding teamwork.

Bruce Edgar
Personal information
Full nameBruce Adrian Edgar
Born23 November 1956 (1956-11-23) (age 64)
Wellington, New Zealand
NicknameBootsy
BattingLeft-handed
RoleWicketkeeper
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 143)27 July 1978 v England
Last Test21 August 1986 v England
ODI debut (cap 30)17 July 1986 v England
Last ODI18 July 1986 v England
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1976/77–1989/90Wellington
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA
Matches 39 64 175 119
Runs scored 1,958 1,814 11,304 3,893
Batting average 30.59 30.74 40.22 37.79
100s/50s 3/12 1/10 24/61 4/22
Top score 161 102* 203 147*
Balls bowled 18 12 164 18
Wickets 0 0 2 0
Bowling average – – 46.99 –
5 wickets in innings – – 0 –
10 wickets in match – – 0 –
Best bowling – – 1/0 –
Catches/stumpings 14/– 12/– 94/1 31/0
Source: Cricinfo, 16 December 2017

In 1981, Edgar became the first cricketer to be unbeaten on 99 in an ODI innings[1][2]

Early life and playing career

Edgar was born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand. His father, Arthur, had represented Wellington in a few first-class matches. He was educated at Rongotai College, where he attracted attention for his brilliant batting, but would later curb his attacking instincts for the sake of the team when opening for both Wellington and later New Zealand.[3]

In internationals, he formed a successful opening partnership with fellow left-hander John Wright.[4][5]

Edgar was at the non-striker's end during the infamous underarm bowling incident which occurred on 1 February 1981 during the third World Series Cup final between New Zealand and Australia at the MCG. His striking partner, Brian McKechnie, needed a six to tie the match from the final ball. Australian bowler Trevor Chappell, on orders from the team captain and older brother Greg Chappell, bowled the ball underarm, rolling it on the ground to prevent McKechnie from getting the six and winning the match for Australia, with McKechnie hurling his bat away in disgust and Edgar aiming a V-sign towards Trevor Chappell.[6][7][8]

The unfortunate part of the incident was that, at the time, Edgar was 102 not-out for the innings, his only one-day international century and highest score. It is often considered "the most overlooked century of all time."[9]

The following season, some consolation for Edgar is the fact that his highest test score, 161, was against Greg Chappell's Australians at Eden Park, Auckland. New Zealand won this Test match, only their second against Australia, by five wickets and took a 1–0 lead in the three-test series, with Edgar named Man of the Match. The series was drawn 1–1, after Australia won the final test by eight wickets at Lancaster Park, Christchurch. Edgar topped the Kiwi batting averages with 278 runs at 55.60.[10]

Life after playing career

In 1981, Bruce Edgar was professional for the Hyde team which won the Central Lancashire League championship.

Edgar has since become involved with the Gordon Grade Cricket Club in Sydney. He coached the A.W. Greenshield team in the 2010–11 season and has continued to play an integral role in the running of the club.

In August 2013, Edgar returned to his homeland to take up the part-time position of General Manager national selection with New Zealand Cricket. His main role would be to coordinate a selection panel that would report to head coach Mike Hesson.[11] Edgar resigned from his position in May 2015. While reduced work and pay, as well as lack of support from the board were key reasons, Edgar also mentioned the less-than-hospitable experiences at the 2015 Cricket World Cup, including having to sit with the wives and girlfriends of the Australian players during the final, a situation he described as "awkward".[12] The following month, Edgar was appointed Head Coach of Wellington on a three-year contract, replacing Jamie Siddons.[13]

Footnotes
  1. "Records | One-Day Internationals | Batting records | 99 not out (and 199, 299 etc) | ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  2. "1st ODI: New Zealand v India at Auckland, Feb 14, 1981 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  3. Romanos, Joseph (16 August 2013). "Edgar should be in charge of New Zealand Cricket". The Timaru Herald.
  4. "All-round records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  5. "All-round records | One-Day Internationals | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  6. "Underhand, underarm". Cricinfo. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  7. "Australia v New Zealand 1980-81". Cricinfo. 4 February 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  8. "Grim prophecy fulfilled". Cricinfo. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  9. "3rd Final: Australia v New Zealand at Melbourne, Feb 1, 1981 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  10. Brittenden & Cameron, pp. 101–102, 119, & 151.
  11. "Bruce Edgar New Zealand's new GM national selection". ESPN Cricinfo. 12 August 2013.
  12. Anderson, Niall (10 May 2015). "Cricket: Bruce Edgar reveals reasons for departure". The New Zealand Herald.
  13. Geenty, Mark (30 June 2015). "Former Black Cap Bruce Edgar named Wellington Firebirds coach". Stuff.co.nz.

Bibliography
  • Brittenden, Dick and Cameron, Don (1982). Test Series 82, AH and AW Reed Ltd, Wellington and NSW.

External Sources
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