Queen's Birthday Honours: Softballers and cricketers recognised for exploits

By JULIE ASH

Three members of the world champion Black Sox side, who claimed their third consecutive world title in February, have received Queen's Birthday honours.

Coach Don Tricker was made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and captain Jarrad Martin and pitching coach Chubb Tangaroa are members of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Aucklander Susie Simcock - the first woman to be president of the World Squash Federation - was made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to squash.

She has also been a governor of the Sports Foundation and served on the executive committee of the Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association, now the Olympic Committee.

Khalid "Billy" Ibadulla, Merv Wallace and Cecil Renwick all became members of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to cricket. Ibadulla played an important part in the development of promising cricketers after his arrival in New Zealand, most notably one of the game's greats, Glenn Turner.

Wallace has been involved with cricket for over half a century.

He played 13 tests for New Zealand, was a senior member of the successful 1949 team who drew their four-test series in England and a highly respected coach and selector.

Renwick has been a key figure in the sports turf industry for more than 20 years, overseeing the development of cricket grounds nationwide.

Other sportspeople to be made members of the New Zealand Order of Merit are Harold O'Rourke, for services to judo, Mervyn Restall, for services to surf lifesaving and the community and Beverly Savage, for services to athletes with disabilities.