John Ward (New Zealand cricketer) facts for kids
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| Full name |
John Thomas Ward
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| Born | 11 March 1937 Timaru, New Zealand |
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| Died | 12 January 2021 (aged 83) Timaru, New Zealand |
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| Batting | Right-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Role | Wicket-keeper | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Relations | Barry Ward (son) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| International information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| National side |
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| Test debut (cap 99) | 21 February 1964 v South Africa | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Test | 7 March 1968 v India | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: CricInfo, 1 April 2017
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John Thomas Ward (born March 11, 1937 – died January 12, 2021) was a talented New Zealand cricket player. He was known as a Wicket-keeper, a special player who stands behind the stumps to catch balls. John Ward played in eight important international games called Test matches between 1964 and 1968. His captain, John Reid, once said that John Ward was "easily the best wicketkeeper in New Zealand" during his time.
Early Cricket Days
John Ward started his professional cricket journey in a special tryout game. This was for the South Island against the North Island. It was a chance to be picked for the 1958 tour to England. In that game, he showed off his skills by catching five balls in the first part of the match. Because of this, he was chosen to be the backup wicket-keeper for Eric Petrie on the tour.
He then joined the Canterbury team in the 1959–60 season. This was for the Plunket Shield, a big cricket competition in New Zealand. Later, he was chosen to go on a tour to South Africa in 1961–62. There, he was the backup for another wicket-keeper named Artie Dick.
Playing for New Zealand
John Ward finally got to play in his first international Test match in 1963–64. This was against the South African team visiting New Zealand. However, he soon lost his spot to Artie Dick, who was a better batsman (a player who hits the ball).
But John Ward didn't give up! He got his chance again in 1964–65. He played in the Third Test against Pakistan in New Zealand. After that, he was the only wicket-keeper chosen for the tour to India and Pakistan in 1965.
During this tour, he scored his highest runs in a Test match. He made 35 runs without being out against India. He and Richard Collinge scored 61 runs together for the last wicket. Sadly, an injury made him leave the tour after the games in India. Artie Dick took his place again.
Later that same year, John Ward returned to the team in England. He replaced Artie Dick for the Third Test. His very last Test match was in 1967–68, against India.
Later Career and Family
John Ward kept playing for the Canterbury team until the 1970–71 season. He scored his only "first-class fifty" (meaning 50 runs or more in a first-class game) against the Wellington team in 1969–70. He made 54 runs without being out in that game. He also played for the South Canterbury team in the Hawke Cup competition from 1960 to 1976.
John Ward's son, Barry, also became a wicket-keeper. Barry played for the Canterbury team in the 1986–87 season. John Ward passed away in Timaru on January 12, 2021, at the age of 83.
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John Ward, a New Zealand cricketer.
