Cricketer Bob Cunis, who played for and later coached New Zealand, died suddenly yesterday at his Ruakaka home in Northland at the age of 67.
Once famously described by English commentator John Arlott as "neither one thing nor the other," Cunis played 20 tests for his country asa big-hearted medium-fast bowler from 1964 to 1972. He took 51 wickets, with one five-wicket haul, at an average of 37.
In a first-class career spanning 132 matches for Auckland and Northern Districts from 1960 to 1977, he took 386 wickets at 26.65.
He retained a great enthusiasm for the sport and returned at the top level to coach New Zealand from 1987 to 1990.
A school teacher and principal during his working life, Cunis this year continued to spend one day a week working with children at a health club in Whangarei.
