Walter Pearce (New Zealand cricketer)

Walter Charles Pearce (29 April 1870 – 20 March 1951) was a New Zealand cricketer who played first-class cricket for Canterbury from 1894 to 1903 and represented New Zealand in the days before New Zealand played Test cricket.[2][3]

Wally Pearce
Personal information
Full name
Walter Charles Pearce
Born(1870-04-29)29 April 1870
Christchurch, New Zealand
Died20 March 1951(1951-03-20) (aged 80)
Christchurch, New Zealand
NicknameBiffer[1]
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm fast-medium
RoleAll-rounder
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1893–94 to 1902–03Canterbury
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 14
Runs scored 468
Batting average 21.27
100s/50s 0/3
Top score 68
Balls bowled 2471
Wickets 59
Bowling average 12.79
5 wickets in innings 4
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 6/37
Catches/stumpings 11/–
Source: Cricinfo, 7 April 2019

Wally Pearce was a pace bowler who generated considerable pace from a short run-up and bowled an effective yorker, and a hard-hitting batsman with a crouching, ungainly style.[4] He played an important part in New Zealand's first victory. In the match against the touring New South Wales team in 1895–96 he scored 47 in each innings, hitting out effectively after New Zealand were in trouble in the second innings, and took four wickets.[5][6]

Pearce married Marion Wyatt in Christchurch on 21 December 1898.[7] She died on 14 January 1943. They had two daughters.[8] Pearce collapsed and died on his way home after watching a Test match at Lancaster Park in March 1951.[9]

References edit

  1. ^ "People and Their Doings". Star: 8. 24 February 1930.
  2. ^ "Walter Pearce". CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  3. ^ "Walter Pearce". Cricinfo. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  4. ^ Cobcroft, L. T. (21 October 1922). "At the Wickets". New Zealand Truth: 9.
  5. ^ Fowke, Johnny (24 January 1920). "Reminiscences of the Sporting World". Star: 8.
  6. ^ "New Zealand v New South Wales 1895-96". CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
  7. ^ "Marriages". Lyttelton Times: 1. 23 December 1898.
  8. ^ "Deaths". Press: 1. 15 January 1943.
  9. ^ "Mr. W. C. Pearce". Press: 3. 22 March 1951.

External links edit