KEY POINTS:
Dick Motz was the schoolboy cricketers' hero of the 1960s - a big-hearted man who bowled at boisterous speed and a dashing, six-hitting batsman. He could also kick a rugby ball and drive a golf ball like a rocket.
Technically, Motz the bowler was the superior figure. He
was sharp of speed and, when angry, devilish fast. He had a magical out-swinger and a surprise bouncer.
The tragedy was that not long after he had become the first New Zealander to take 100 test wickets, achieved on the 1969 tour to England, an ongoing back problem removed him from test cricket.
But youngsters loved the star batsman.
The New Zealanders needed but 188 second innings runs to beat South Australia at Adelaide in late 1967, but Eric Freeman ripped out five wickets for 34.
By the time Motz arrived New Zealand were on the rocks and Ian Chappell, who fancied himself as a leg-spinner, persuaded his captain Les Favell that his prowess would promptly finish off the New Zealanders.
In no time at all Chappell's bowling figures read 4 overs, one maiden, none for 62. Motz plundered 94 runs in as many minutes - 10 fours, six sixes, most of them over the Adelaide Oval gates. Sadly, NZ were 25 runs short of victory with Motz last out.
Motz played his cricket without the financial rewards or the frequent tests now available. His record of 100 wickets in 32 tests at 31.48 compares not unfavourably with a modern hero like Chris Cairns' 218 wickets in 62 tests at 29.40. 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 of England the previous year, topping the bowling aggregates and averages.
He took five wickets in an innings five times in tests and scored three half-centuries, all against England. He dismissed dour England opener Geoffrey Boycott six times.
In 1978 for Canterbury against Otago he scored a century in 53 minutes (seven sixes), took the first Otago wicket with his first ball then dismissed the same batsman (name of Graham Henry) in the second innings for 2.
His later life included several years in Christchurch driving taxis. He suffered a grievous blow in 1989 when his son, Wayne, was murdered. He is survived by two daughters, Debbie and Vicky.
