Allen Shrewsbury Player (5 September 1893 – 17 November 1962) was a New Zealand cricketer. He played 27 first-class matches for Auckland between 1919 and 1929.[1]

Allen Player
Personal information
Full name
Allen Shrewsbury Player
Born(1893-09-05)5 September 1893
Auckland, New Zealand
Died17 November 1962(1962-11-17) (aged 69)
Auckland, New Zealand
BattingLeft-handed
BowlingRight-arm medium
RoleAll-rounder
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1919/20–1928/29Auckland
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 27
Runs scored 572
Batting average 20.42
100s/50s 0/1
Top score 58
Balls bowled 6,229
Wickets 89
Bowling average 26.77
5 wickets in innings 6
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 6/38
Catches/stumpings 16/–
Source: Cricinfo, 30 June 2023

Player was a right-arm medium-pace bowler who was able to move the ball appreciably through the air and off the pitch, and could bowl unchanged for long spells. He was considered one of New Zealand's best medium-paced bowlers of the 1920s.[2] His best figures were 6 for 38 in Auckland's victory over Canterbury in the Plunket Shield in December 1926.[3] In 1925–26 he was the second-highest wicket-taker in the Plunket Shield with 18 wickets at an average of 23.66.[4] He was also a useful lower-order batsman who could use his reach and hitting power effectively. Against Canterbury in 1925–26 he took 3 for 79 and 4 for 56 and made 58 (adding 112 for the eighth wicket with James Gerrard) and 10.[5]

Player also represented Auckland at hockey. For a time he was chairman of the executive of the Auckland Hockey Association.[2]

Player was admitted to practise as a solicitor in Auckland in May 1921.[6] He married Moyra Kathleen Maud Johnson in Auckland in February 1925.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Allen Player". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  2. ^ a b "A. S. Player Dies". Press: 9. 1 December 1962.
  3. ^ "Canterbury v Auckland 1926-27". CricketArchive. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  4. ^ "Bowling in Plunket Shield 1925/26". CricketArchive. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Auckland v Canterbury 1925-26". CricketArchive. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  6. ^ "[Untitled]". Auckland Star: 2. 4 May 1921.
  7. ^ "Marriages". New Zealand Herald: 1. 23 May 1925.
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