| Ken Rutherford began his Test career for New Zealand in horrific style -
scores of 0, 0, 4, 0, 2, 1 and 5 in the West Indies in 1984-85 and,
although he became a handy middle order bat and captained his country in
the mid 1990s few specialist batsmen can have made so many Test ducks.
Ironically, he was probably finding his best form when he was deposed in
favour of the novice Lee Germon. Rutherford, understandably hurt, went
off to play domestic cricket in South Africa. There is mitigation for
his poor start. He was thrown in to open the batting against an attack
which included Marshall, Garner, Holding and Winston Davis. His career
was not all gloom. He made 107 not out against England in Wellington in
1987-88 and 105 against Sri Lanka in Moratuwa in 1992-93. On the
Australian tour on which he inherited the captaincy from an injured
Martin Crowe he made 86 in Brisbane. He captained New Zealand in England
in 1994 and in South Africa in 1994-95, making two Test half centuries.
Rutherford played in two World Cups. In 1987 he scored 75 against India
in Bangalore and in 1992 he made 65 not out against Sri Lanka in
Hamilton and 50 in the semi-final lost to eventual winners Pakistan. His
brother Ian played for Otago and Central Districts in the 1970s and
1980s and even made two appearances for Worcestershire. Ken made 317 for
the New Zealanders in a match against Brian Close's XI at Scarborough
in 1986. He toured Zimbabwe with Young New Zealand in 1984-85. (Bob Harragan) |
Test Career Batting and Fielding (1984/85-1994/95).
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 SRate Ct
New Zealand 56 99 8 2465 107* 27.08 3 18 46.04 32
Test Career Bowling (1984/85-1990/91.)
Balls Mdns Runs Wkts BB Ave 5wI 10wM SRate Econ
New Zealand 256 3 161 1 1-38 161.00 0 0 256.00 3.77