Farewell tributes for former NZ test cricketer
One of South Canterbury’s favourite sporting sons, former New Zealand test cricketer John Ward, has been farewelled in Timaru.
Ward died aged 83 in Timaru on Tuesday after a short illness.
Yesterday, a large crowd of more than 300 packed out the Aoraki Funeral Home for his funeral service which was led by the dean of Christ Church Anglican Cathedral in Nelson, Very Reverend Mike Hawke, who was a member of the South Canterbury cricket team in the 1980s when Ward was selector and coach.
Among those in attendance were several former New Zealand teammates of Ward’s – Graham Dowling, Frank Cameron and wicketkeeping rival for national honours, Artie Dick, – as well as a later New Zealand cricketer, Murray Parker, of Timaru.
Ward played eight test matches in the then predominately amateur era of the game, making long tours to England in 1958, South Africa in 1961 and India and England in 1965. The tours extended out to four to six months each time.
He made 54 appearances for Canterbury between 1959 and 1971, during which time he took 153 dismissals, 136 caught and 17 stumped.
Ward’s son Barry recounted his father’s life story recalling Ward’s early years being educated at Timaru West School and Timaru Technical College before working in the refrigeration industry followed by several years as Timaru bailiff.
‘‘He made many lifelong friends with cricket.’’
Besides cricket, Ward pursued other sporting interests, rugby for Zingari when younger, then in later years bowls, golf and fishing.
Ward’s daughter Jenny recited a farewell poem to a cricketer and tributes were made to Ward as a husband and family man.
Former South Canterbury and Canterbury representative cricketer Harvey King read a message from New Zealand Cricket which stated that Ward had been a ‘‘highly valued team-mate’’ when on national duties. The Canterbury Cricket Association also sent a message of condolence.
On Canterbury’s 125th anniversary, King said a team had been picked comprising the best players covering that period and Ward had been named in it.
On the field of play he remembered Ward as being a ‘‘fierce competitor’’. Once play was finished, however, all was forgotten and a cold beer enjoyed. ‘‘The umpire’s finger has gone up,’’ King said. ‘‘Time to go. Rest in peace.’’