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John Wright, a solid left-handed opening bat, was one of the first
full-time professionals to play for New Zealand. Indeed, it was the
ability he showed for Derbyshire in the English county championship that
kept him in the New Zealand side for many years when his scores by no
means reflected his talent. Wright made his debut against England in
1977-78, but he did not register a major Test score until 1981-82, when
he made 141 against Australia in Christchurch. Over those years he had
established an opening partnership with Bruce Edgar which often gave the
Pacific islanders solid starts, even if there was no personal glory for
Wright. In England in 1983 he found the familiar conditions to his
liking, scoring 88 at the Oval and 93 at Headingley.
He made 130 against
England at Auckland in the home series immediately afterwards. There
was 107 at Karachi in 1984-85, two 50s in the West Indies in early 1985
and 119 at the Oval in 1986, although Graham Dilley dismissed him for a
pair of spectacles - two zeroes - at Lord's. He made 75 and 138 against
West Indies at Wellington in 1986-87 and 99 at Multan against Pakistan.
Another century came against England in Auckland in 1987-88. He was made
captain in that series, taking the place of Jeff Crowe. He led the team
on tour to India, where he had an innings of 185. He made 98 as captain
at Lord's in 1990 and 101 against Sri Lanka in Hamilton. He played in
four World Cups, scoring 69 against England at Old Trafford in the 1979
semi-final. (Bob Harragan)
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