Cricket: Neely named NZC president

Don Neely has been appointed president of New Zealand Cricket (NZC).

Neely replaces John R Reid, who had been in the role since 2003 and was made a life member at NZC's annual meeting in Wellington today.

Neely is a notable cricket historian and author, a life member of NZC, a trustee of the New Zealand Cricket Museum and former president of Cricket Wellington.

He also spent 14 years as a New Zealand selector, including seven as convener of selectors.

A right-handed batsman, he played for Wellington between 1964 and 1968 and captained the side from 1965 to 1968, before playing for Auckland from 1968 to 1971.

Reid, a right-handed batsman, medium fast bowler and wicketkeeper, had a test career for New Zealand which lasted 16 years from 1949 to 1965.

On his retirement he was judged to have been New Zealand's best ever cricketer and was also New Zealand's most successful captain, having led New Zealand to the country's first test victory.

Among his notable feats was a world record for hitting 15 sixes in an innings of 296 in a first-class match and appearing in 58 consecutive test appearances.

Reid was a New Zealand selector from 1956 to 1965 and from 1971 to 1978 and was awarded an OBE in 1963 for services to cricket.

An honorary member of the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), he was also named Wisden cricketer of the year in 1959.

NZC board members Anne Urlwin and Stephen Boock were re-elected to the board at the meeting.

- NZPA