John Richard Reid facts for kids
Reid in 1960
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| Born | 3 June 1928 Auckland, New Zealand |
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| Died | 14 October 2020 (aged 92) Auckland, New Zealand |
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| Nickname | Bogo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Right-arm off-break Right-arm fast-medium |
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| Relations | Richard Reid (son) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| National side |
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| Test debut (cap 49) | 23 July 1949 v England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Test | 8 July 1965 v England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Cricinfo, 1 April 2017
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John Richard Reid (born June 3, 1928 – died October 14, 2020) was a famous New Zealand cricketer. He was the captain of the New Zealand cricket team in 34 important Test matches. He made history by leading New Zealand to their first ever Test victory. This happened at home against the West Indies in 1956. He also led them to their first win away from home, against South Africa in 1962.
Contents
Early Life and Health
John Reid was born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1928. His father, Norman, was from Scotland and played rugby league. His mother, Iris, was a music teacher. When John was young, his family moved to Wellington.
He went to Hutt Valley High School. At first, he played rugby union. However, he later switched to cricket. This change happened because he had some heart problems and suffered from rheumatic fever.
Reid's Cricket Career
John Reid started his cricket career as a powerful and aggressive bowler. In his early days, he was known for his fast bowling. Later, he changed his style to use off-cutters and spin. He would bowl from a short run-up with a special side-step.
Before a knee injury slowed him down, he was also a very good fielder. He was especially strong at slip and in the covers. On a tour to England in 1949, he even played as a reserve wicketkeeper in some matches.
A Unique Batting Record
In a Test match in Christchurch in 1963, Reid scored exactly 100 runs. His team, however, only managed a total of 159 runs in that innings. The next highest score was only 22 runs. This is still the lowest team total in Test cricket that includes a century by one player.
Reid was recognized for his skills and was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1959.
Life After Playing Cricket
After he stopped playing professional cricket, John Reid stayed involved in the sport. In 1969, he played in what is believed to be the first cricket match ever held at the South Pole. The game ended when Reid hit the ball so far into the snow that it could not be found! People joked that every shot he hit went north, no matter where he aimed.
Serving New Zealand Cricket
From 1975 to 1978, Reid worked as a national selector for New Zealand Cricket. This meant he helped choose the players for the national team. In 1981, he moved to South Africa to work as a coach.
He also worked as a match referee for the International Cricket Council (ICC) from 1993 to 2002. He oversaw 50 Test matches and 98 One Day International matches. As a referee, he was known for being strict. He took action against players for issues like ball tampering (illegally changing the cricket ball).
In 2003, John Reid became the president of New Zealand Cricket. After the death of Trevor Barber in 2015, Reid became the oldest living New Zealand Test cricketer.
Promoting Squash
Besides cricket, Reid also helped make squash popular in New Zealand. He even started the John Reid Squash Centre in Wellington. This center was later sold to the New Zealand Squash Rackets Association.
Personal Life
John Reid married Norli Le Fevre in 1951. He had met her when he was 18 years old. At the time, she was a nurse at the hospital where he was being treated for rheumatic fever.
They had three children: a son named Richard, and two daughters, Alison and Ann. His son, Richard, also played cricket for New Zealand in nine one-day international matches.
John Reid passed away in Auckland on October 14, 2020, at the age of 92.
Honours and Awards
John Reid received several important awards for his contributions to sport.
- In 1962, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This award recognized his services to sport, especially cricket.
- In 2014, he was given an even higher honour. He was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM). This was also for his great work in cricket.
