Dick Motz      

Full name Richard Charles Motz

Born January 12, 1940, Christchurch, Canterbury

Died April 29, 2007, Christchurch (aged 67 years 107 days)

Major teams New Zealand, Canterbury

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm fast

Education Linwood High School

Dick Motz was a robust, indefatigable seamer who bowled outswingers, but one who wasn't used to success - New Zealand won only four of his 32 Tests. On his first tour - to South Africa in 1961-62 - he took 19 wickets in his country's most successful Test series, and though he had lost some of his edge by 1969, he became the first New Zealander to reach 100 Test wickets, against England at The Oval. Good job he did, as at the end of the summer it was discovered that he'd been bowling for 18 months with a displaced vertebra. He retired immediately. As a beefy lower-order slogger Motz was a dangerous customer, and made three fifties, all against England, all laden with sixes. He subsequently became a publican, which did no good for his health, and, always prone to be heavy, he piled on weight and towards the end of his life he topped 30 stones. . In 1997 he was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.
Rob Smyth

Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1966

Aug 23, 1969

Dick Motz dismisses Phil Sharpe for his 100th Test wicket

© The Cricketer International

1966

Dick Motz bowling

© The Cricketer International

May 27, 1965

Dick Motz bowling against England

© Hulton Archive