Robert Niven (New Zealand cricketer)

Robert Campbell Niven (11 December 1859 – 14 April 1919) was a New Zealand cricketer. He played first-class cricket for Otago and Wellington between 1888 and 1901.[1]

Robert Niven
Personal information
Full nameRobert Campbell Niven
Born(1859-12-11)11 December 1859
Melbourne, Australia
Died14 April 1919(1919-04-14) (aged 59)
Wellington, New Zealand
RoleWicketkeeper
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1887-88 to 1888-89Otago
1890-91 to 1901-02Wellington
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 18
Runs scored 215
Batting average 10.75
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 42
Balls bowled 0
Wickets –
Bowling average –
5 wickets in innings –
10 wickets in match –
Best bowling –
Catches/stumpings 17/19
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 20 September 2017

He was regarded as one of New Zealand's best wicket-keepers of his time.[2][3] He kept wicket for New Zealand in the three-day match against the Australians in 1896–97, when New Zealand fielded a side of 15. It was New Zealand's first international match.[4][5]

He worked as chief clerk in the Government Insurance Department in Wellington. After contracting influenza during the 1918 flu pandemic he developed severe depression. His body was found in Wellington boat harbour on 14 April 1919. The subsequent inquiry found that he had drowned, but made no finding as to whether his death was the result of accident or suicide.[6] He left a widow but no family.[3]

See also

References
  1. "Robert Niven". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  2. "The Doyen of N.Z. Wicketkeepers". Dominion. 7 (1878): 12. 11 October 1913. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  3. "Obituary". Press. LV (16500): 7. 17 April 1919. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  4. "New Zealand v Australians 1896-97". CricketArchive. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  5. Don Neely & Richard Payne, Men in White: The History of New Zealand International Cricket, 1894–1985, Moa, Auckland, 1986, p. 38.
  6. "Local and General". Dominion. 12 (173): 6. 16 April 1919. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
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