Stephen Lester

Stephen Garland Lester (18 March 1906 – 24 October 1971) was a New Zealand cricketer who played first-class cricket for Canterbury from 1929 to 1936.

Stephen Lester
Personal information
Full nameStephen Garland Lester
Born(1906-03-18)18 March 1906
Amberley, North Canterbury, New Zealand
Died24 October 1971(1971-10-24) (aged 65)
Christchurch, New Zealand
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm medium-pace
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1929-30 to 1935-36Canterbury
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 16
Runs scored 595
Batting average 22.88
100s/50s 0/2
Top score 64
Balls bowled 1893
Wickets 26
Bowling average 34.61
5 wickets in innings –
10 wickets in match –
Best bowling 4/21
Catches/stumpings 8/0
Source: Cricinfo, 12 July 2019

Career

A right-handed middle-order batsman and medium-pace bowler, Lester was a regular member of the Canterbury team in the early 1930s. His highest score came in his second match, when he scored 12 and 64 and took 2 for 45 and 3 for 56 against Wellington in the Plunket Shield.[1] His best bowling figures came a year later against Auckland, when in Canterbury's four-wicket victory he took 4 for 21 and 2 for 73 and made 35.[2] When there was speculation about the possible addition of a 15th player to the New Zealand team to tour England in 1931, Lester was one of the players in contention; however, only 14 toured.[3]

During the Second World War Lester served in New Zealand in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, first as a flying officer, then as a squadron leader and commanding officer of the Christchurch Wing.[4][5] He was a member of the New Zealand Cricket Council.[6]

The Stephen Lester Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the bowler taking the most wickets in the Christchurch men's premiership competition.[7]

Personal life

In March 1932 Lester married Eleanor West-Watson, whose father was the Anglican Bishop of Christchurch.[8] They had two sons and a daughter.[9]

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References
  1. "Wellington v Canterbury 1929-30". CricketArchive. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  2. "Canterbury v Auckland 1930-31". CricketArchive. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  3. "Cricket team's tour". New Zealand Herald: 13. 14 March 1931.
  4. "Cricket: NZ Council's annual meeting". Press: 3. 17 November 1942.
  5. "Public Notices". Press: 15. 9 May 1945.
  6. "Cricket and the War". Evening Star: 4. 22 November 1940.
  7. "CMCA awards evening". Christchurch Metro Cricket. 11 April 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  8. "[untitled photograph and caption]". Press: 2. 30 March 1932.
  9. "John Lester". Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
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