Gordon Vernon Middlewick (14 August 1932 – 19 July 2021) was a South African cricketer who played first-class cricket for North-Eastern Transvaal from 1953 to 1961.[1]
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Gordon Vernon Middlewick | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 14 August 1932 Benoni, Transvaal, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 19 July 2021 (aged 88) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Right-arm fast-medium | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1953-54 to 1960-61 | North-Eastern Transvaal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Cricinfo, 17 February 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A fast-medium bowler, Gordon Middlewick made his first-class debut against the touring New Zealanders in 1953-54, opening the bowling and taking 6 for 83 and 4 for 74. In the first innings he twice took wickets with consecutive balls; in the second, when the New Zealanders were chasing runs quickly, he took wickets that at one stage looked likely to give North-Eastern Transvaal victory, though in the end New Zealand won by three wickets with four minutes to spare.[2][3]
Middlewick's best figures were 6 for 22 when North-Eastern Transvaal dismissed Border for 58 in 1954–55.[4] His most successful season was 1958–59, when he took 21 wickets at an average of 13.04 and formed a strong opening attack with Jackie Botten, who set a Currie Cup record with 55 wickets. However, such was North-Eastern Transvaal's weakness in other areas that they lost five of their six matches and finished last in the "B" section of the Currie Cup.[5][6]
Middlewick was also a soccer player, good enough to travel to England in 1951 to try out for Manchester City. He became a referee.[7]
Middlewick and his wife Monica moved from Transvaal to Margate in Natal in 1988.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Gordon Middlewick". CricketArchive. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
- ^ "North-Eastern Transvaal v New Zealanders 1953-54". CricketArchive. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
- ^ R.T. Brittenden, Silver Fern on the Veld, A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1954, pp. 98–101.
- ^ "North-Eastern Transvaal v Border 1954-55". CricketArchive. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
- ^ "First-class bowling in each season by Gordon Middlewick". CricketArchive. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
- ^ Wisden 1960, pp. 880–81.
- ^ a b "Talented sportsman Gordon is mourned". South Coast Herald. 1 August 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
External links
edit- Gordon Middlewick at ESPNcricinfo
- Gordon Middlewick at CricketArchive (subscription required)