Dick Motz, the first bowler to take 100 wickets in test cricket for New Zealand, has died in Christchurch.
Motz, 67, was found dead yesterday by his former New Zealand and Canterbury captain Graham Dowling, The Press reported today.
Dowling was a regular caller at his home, alongwith other former international and club teammates.
"He was a great fast bowler who never knew when to stop," Dowling said.
"Although he had back trouble, he kept on going."
Motz was noted as a burly fast bowler who also hit sixes as a lower-order batsman.
He played 32 tests during the 1960s and on his first tour, to South Africa in 1961-62, he took 19 wickets.
He was New Zealand cricketer of the year in 1961 and one of Wisden's five cricketers of the year in 1966 after New Zealand's tour the previous year, when he topped the bowling aggregates and averages.
Motz reached a century of test wickets in 1969, against England at The Oval.
He finished on exactly 100 wickets after finding out that he had been bowling with a displaced vertebra and retired immediately.
He took five wickets in an innings five times in tests and scored three half-centuries, all against England and featuring big hitting.
