Walter Pearce (New Zealand cricketer)

Walter Charles Pearce (29 April 1870 – 20 March 1951) was a New Zealand cricketer who played first-class cricket for Canterbury from 1894 to 1903 and represented New Zealand in the days before New Zealand played Test cricket.[1][2]

Wally Pearce

Personal information
Full name	Walter Charles Pearce
Born	(1870-04-29)29 April 1870 Christchurch, New Zealand
Died	20 March 1951(1951-03-20) (aged 80) Christchurch, New Zealand
Nickname	Biffer
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm fast-medium
Role	All-rounder
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1893-94 to 1902-03	Canterbury
Career statistics
Competition First-class Matches 14 Runs scored 468 Batting average 21.27 100s/50s 0/3 Top score 68 Balls bowled 2471 Wickets 59 Bowling average 12.79 5 wickets in innings 4 10 wickets in match 0 Best bowling 6/37 Catches/stumpings 11/0
Source: Cricinfo, 7 April 2019

Wally Pearce was a pace bowler who generated considerable pace from a short run-up and bowled an effective yorker, and a hard-hitting batsman with a crouching, ungainly style.[3] He played an important part in New Zealand's first victory. In the match against the touring New South Wales team in 1895-96 he scored 47 in each innings, hitting out effectively after New Zealand were in trouble in the second innings, and took four wickets.[4][5]

Pearce married Marion Wyatt in Christchurch on 21 December 1898.[6] She died on 14 January 1943. They had two daughters.[7]

References

1. "Walter Pearce". CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
2. "Walter Pearce". Cricinfo. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
3. Cobcroft, L. T. (21 October 1922). "At the Wickets". New Zealand Truth: 9.
4. Fowke, Johnny (24 January 1920). "Reminiscences of the Sporting World". Star: 8.
5. "New Zealand v New South Wales 1895-96". CricketArchive. Retrieved 7 April 2019.
6. "Marriages". Lyttelton Times: 1. 23 December 1898.
7. "Deaths". Press: 1. 15 January 1943.

External links

• Walter Pearce at ESPNcricinfo
• Walter Pearce at CricketArchive (subscription required)