Obituary: Ian Alexander Colquhoun

Ian Colquhoun

* Ian Alexander Colquhoun, QSM, sportsman, teacher. Died aged 80

Former New Zealand cricketer Ian Colquhoun died at his home at Paraparaumu Beach last Saturday while indulging in one of his favourite pastimes - watching cricket on television.

Unfortunately the New Zealand Black Caps were losing yet another one-day game to the Australians.

Ian Colquhoun, a wicketkeeper, had the misfortune to be part of New Zealand's most famous test match loss when they were bowled out by England in 1955 for 26 in the second innings of the second test at Eden Park. That was still a year before New Zealand managed to win its first test match against the West Indies in 1956.

Colquhoun, who at 30 was playing only his second and last test, was dismissed by Appleyard for a duck in each innings.

At the first test in Dunedin, however, he did distinguish himself by twice catching the great England batsman and captain Len Hutton.

Colquhoun was also a good rugby player and an All Black trialist in 1947. He played for Otago during its Ranfurly Shield reign and later for Manawatu and in cricket was a Central Districts and New Zealand selector.

He played 53 games for Central Districts in a career spanning 1953 to 1964, taking 102 catches and 28 stumpings. He shares the CD 10th wicket partnership of 133 with another former international, Gary Bartlett.

Colquhoun also became a Manawatu sporting legend in cricket and rugby, as a player, coach and selector and formidable Palmerston North Boys' High School teacher. He taught there for 36 years and rose to be deputy and acting rector.

He settled at Paraparaumu Beach after his retirement in 1984, becoming president of the Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club.

- NZPA and staff reporter