Christopher Cross (cricketer)

Christopher Smith Cross (26 October 1852 – 26 June 1919) was a New Zealand cricketer and businessman who played first-class cricket in New Zealand from 1874 to 1895.

Cross was born in Nelson, where his father, James Smith Cross, was the harbourmaster.[1][2] He married Anne Green in Nelson in May 1876.[3]

Cross was a hard-hitting batsman, a fast-medium bowler, a fine fieldsman and sometimes wicket-keeper.[4] He made his highest first-class score for Wellington when they defeated Otago in 1892-93; he scored 67, easily the highest score of the match, an innings of "sterling cricket, comprising excellent cutting and driving".[5][6] He captained the Wanganui team that inflicted the only defeat on the touring Australians in 1880-81.[7] In 1882, while batting at the St John's ground in Wanganui, Cross hit a ball that travelled 156 yards before it landed.[8] This hit was still a New Zealand record in the late 1950s, and may still be.[9]

He worked as a financial agent and merchant.[10][11] Later he moved to Australia, where he had a business in Sydney as a coal exporter and shipping agent.[12] He died in Sydney after a long illness, leaving a widow, three sons and two daughters.[2]