Bevan Congdon

Bev Congdon
New ZealandPersonal information Batting style Right-hand bat Bowling style Right-arm medium Career statistics Tests ODIsMatches 61 11 Runs scored 3448 338 Batting average32.22 56.33 100s/50s 7/19 1/2 Top score 176 101 Ballsbowled 5620 437 Wickets59 7 Bowling average36.50 41.00 5 wickets in innings1 - 10 wickets in match - n/a Best bowling 5/65 2/17 Catches/stumpings44/- -/-

As of 4 February 2006
Source: Cricinfo

Bevan (Bev) Ernest Congdon OBE (born 11 February 1938, Motueka) is a former New Zealand all-rounder who played 61 Test matches from 1965 to 1978. He was captain of the New Zealand Test and ODI team from 1971 to 1974. Congdon was the first New Zealand captain to record a victory over Australia, although that was largely thanks to the efforts of Glenn Turner, who succeeded Congdon as captain. Congdon was a medium-pace bowler with moderate success in Test cricket, bowling economically and taking 59 wickets - including five for 56 against India in a match New Zealand lost by eight wickets despite Congdon's efforts, both with bat (he made two scores of 54) and ball.

His finest moments in Tests where in England in 1973 when he scored 176 at Trent Bridge and 175 at Lord's in successive Tests. In the former match, New Zealand chased 479 in the final innings, falling short by only 38 runs. At the time, this was a record for a highest score in the fourth innings to lose a match. The innings at Lord's contributed to New Zealand making 551, their highest score in Tests at the time. Asked afterwards how he prepared for Test cricket in his remote, intemperate South-Island hometown, he replied that net pitches in Motueka prepared one for anything.