Bruce Edgar

Bruce Adrian Edgar (born 23 November 1956) is a former cricketer who represented New Zealand in both Test and One Day International (ODI) format. A chartered accountant by profession, Edgar played as a left-handed opening batsman and an occasional wicketkeeper during one of New Zealand's most successful eras in international cricket. He gained respect across the cricket world for his courage against the fastest bowlers of his era (which included greats like Imran Khan, Michael Holding, Bob Willis and Dennis Lillee), his classically straight batting technique, and his outstanding teamwork.

In 1981, Edgar became the first cricketer to be unbeaten on 99 in an ODI innings^[1][2]

Early Life and Playing Career

Edgar was born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand. His father, Arthur, had represented Wellington in a few first-class matches. He was educated at Rongotai College, where he attracted attention for his brilliant batting, but would later curb his attacking instincts for the sake of the team when opening for both Wellington and later New Zealand.^[3]

In internationals, he formed a successful opening partnership with fellow left-hander John Wright.^[4][5]

Edgar was at the non-striker's end during the infamous underarm bowling incident which occurred on 1 February 1981 during the third World Series Cup final between New Zealand and Australia at the MCG. His striking partner, Brian McKechnie, needed a six to tie the match from the final ball. Australian bowler Trevor Chappell, on orders from the team captain and older brother Greg Chappell, bowled the ball underarm, rolling it on the ground to prevent McKechnie from getting the six and winning the match for Australia, with McKechnie hurling his bat away in disgust and Edgar aiming a V-sign towards Trevor Chappell.^[6][7][8]

The unfortunate part of the incident was that, at the time, Edgar was 102 not-out for the innings, his only one-day international century and highest score. It is often considered "the most overlooked century of all time."^[9]

The following season, some consolation for Edgar is the fact that his highest test score, 161, was against Greg Chappell's Australians at Eden Park, Auckland. New Zealand won this Test match, only their second against Australia, by five wickets and took a 1–0 lead in the three-test series, with Edgar named Man of the Match. The series was drawn 1–1, after Australia won the final test by eight wickets at Lancaster Park, Christchurch. Edgar topped the Kiwi batting averages with 278 runs at 55.60.^[10]

Life After Playing Career

In 1981, Bruce Edgar was professional for the Hyde team which won the Central Lancashire League championship.

Edgar has since become involved with the Gordon Grade Cricket Club in Sydney. He coached the A.W. Greenshield team in the 2010–11 season and has continued to play an integral role in the running of the club.

In August 2013, Edgar returned to his homeland to take up the part-time position of General Manager national selection with New Zealand Cricket. His main role would be to coordinate a selection panel that would report to head coach Mike Hesson.^[11] Edgar resigned from his position in May 2015. While reduced work and pay, as well as lack of support from the board were key reasons, Edgar also mentioned the less-than-hospitable experiences at the 2015 Cricket World Cup, including having to sit with the wives and girlfriends of the Australian players during the final, a situation he described as "awkward".^[12] The following month, Edgar was appointed Head Coach of Wellington on a three-year contract, replacing Jamie Siddons.^[13]

International centuries

Test centuries

Test centuries of Bruce Edgar
No	Runs	Match	Against	City/Country	Venue	Year	Result
[1]	129	4	Pakistan	Christchurch, New Zealand	Lancaster Park	1979	Lost
[2]	127	9	West Indies	Auckland, New Zealand	Eden Park	1980	Drawn
[3]	161	17	Australia	Auckland, New Zealand	Eden Park	1982	Won

One Day International centuries

One Day International centuries of Bruce Edgar
No	Runs	Match	Against	City/Country	Venue	Year	Result
[1]	102*	17	Australia	Melbourne, Australia	Melbourne Cricket Ground	1981	Lost

International awards

One Day International Cricket

Man of the Match awards

S No	Opponent	Venue	Date	Match Performance	Result
1	India	Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds	13 June 1979	84* (167 balls: 8x4)	New Zealand won by 8 wickets.[14]
2	India	Eden Park, Auckland	14 February 1981	99* (136 balls: 6x4, 1x6)	New Zealand won by 78 runs.[15]

Footnotes

Bibliography

• Brittenden, Dick and Cameron, Don (1982). Test Series 82, AH and AW Reed Ltd, Wellington and NSW.

External Sources

• Bruce Edgar at CricketArchive (subscription required)
• Bruce Edgar at ESPNcricinfo
• Bruce Edgar on LinkedIn