Bevan Ernest Congdon OBE was a New Zealand cricket all-rounder who played Test cricket and One Day Internationals from 1965 to 1978, which included a two-year spell as captain. Congdon led New Zealand to its first test win over Australia at Christchurch in 1974. He was one of New Zealand's finest all-rounders, scoring seven centuries in 61 tests and taking 59 wickets over a 13-year test career. As well as captaining New Zealand to its first test win, he also played a crucial role in the first victory against England 40 years ago, scoring 44 in New Zealand's first innings. He was not the most naturally talented of players; few excelled him, however, in courage, determination and self-discipline...

Born in Motueka, a short distance from Nelson in the South Island of New Zealand, Congdon’s career hit many peaks. Congdon has one of his brothers to thank for talking up cricket. He was the sixth and youngest son of Cecil Congdon, who ran the local butcher’s shop in Motueka, a small township of nearly 3000 inhabitants in South Island. When he was 16, he was invited to play in senior club cricket but turned down the offer because he felt he would not do himself justice. He did in fact, fancy himself playing tennis, and after Bevan had saved enough money, bought a load of tennis equipment. When he got home, his elder brother looked at it and said, we will make a bonfire of that. You are going to be a cricketer.

Les Townshend the former Derbyshire player, was coaching 35 miles away in Nelson. Bevan Congdon made the trip twice a week for cricket practice. Three other local lads went with him, but the novelty soon wore off for them and he did the 140 miles a week on his own. He made unspectacular progress and was 24 before being asked to play for Nelson. He did well enough in his first season to justify his brother’s determination, his own dedication, and Townshend’s patience, to be given a trial by Central District the following season, in 1960/61. He made a half-century and took 2 for 29 and played in the Plunkett Shield, back then New Zealand’s only first-class competition.

There was the outstanding series in the West Indies in 1972; his contribution of 176 against England in 1973 at Trent Bridge, still considered an innings for the ages; followed by the distinction of leading New Zealand to their first Test win over Australia. Behind all of this there was the considered family man, kind and contemplating. He was in many ways ‘A Singular Man.’ Bevan Congdon was one of the most influential cricket players of his generation. He was known for his graceful batting style and his ability to inspire others on the field. After a successful career playing for New Zealand, Congdon went on to coach the national team and help them achieve some of their most impressive victories.

Bevan was at the centre of the New Zealand team at a time it started gaining attention on the international cricket scene for the all the right reasons - in no small part due to his leadership and ability. He was a model professional both on and off the field. Congdon was a technically correct batsman with tremendous powers of concentration - as evidenced by his back-to-back big hundreds against England in 1973 - but was also able to play in a cavalier manner when the occasion demanded. He supplemented this with sound fielding and medium-pace in and outswingers.

Congdon's finest moments in Tests included the tour of England in 1973 when he scored 176 at Trent Bridge and 175 at Lord's in successive Tests, and the determined foray by the Kiwis to the West Indies in 1972, when he took over the captaincy from Graham Dowling. In the Trent Bridge match, New Zealand chased 479 in the final innings, falling short by only 38 runs. At the time, this was a Test record for a highest score in the fourth innings to lose a match. The innings at Lord's contributed to New Zealand making 551, their highest score in Tests at the time. It was on this tour that Congdon scored 176 in the first test at Trent Bridge and 175 in the second test at Lord's, prompting the timeless remark from BBC radio commentator Brian Johnston that he appeared "to have a weakness in the 170s".

In 1975, Congdon became the first New Zealand batsman to score an ODI century at Basin Reserve. The second one was scored by Kane Williamson, 43 years later, on 6 January 2018 against Pakistan. Asked afterwards how he prepared for Test cricket in his remote, intemperate South Island hometown, he replied that the mean net pitches in Motueka prepared one for anything. He led New Zealand with distinction to their first Test win over Australia (after putting Australia in), and but for dropped catches would probably have recorded a momentus win over England at Lord's in 1973. Unlike many, he thrived on the captaincy and his batting seemed the better for the responsibility. Under his tenure New Zealand emerged from Test cricket's perennial losers into a side to be respected.

Congdon continued contributing to the game well after his retirement, featuring on the New Zealand selection panel in the late 1990s. NZC chief executive David White said Congdon had been a shining light in New Zealand's test renaissance through the 1970s. Congdon played 61 tests, scoring 3448 runs at an average of 32.22 and including seven centuries. He played 11 ODIs for his country, including captaining New Zealand in its first official limited-overs fixture, against Pakistan in 1973. He led New Zealand to their first test win over Australia at Christchurch in 1974 and along with Glenn Turner changed the direction and fortunes of NZ cricket leading into the golden age of the 1980’s.

Former New Zealand test cricket captain Bevan Congdon died,a day before his 80th birthday. He died in Auckland after a long illness.