Cricket / Former New Zealand batter Bruce Murray passes away at 82

Bruce Murray Died: Tuesday was a very bad day for New Zealand cricket. On this day New Zealand lost one of its legendary players. This player has achieved many achievements for New Zealand cricket. This player is none other than Bruce Murray. Bruce Murray, who achieved many records in Test cricket for New Zealand, breathed his last at the age of 82. Murray was a right-handed opening batsman who made his Test debut in February 1968.

bruce murray career

Bruce Murray scored 598 runs in 13 matches at an average of 23.92, including five half-centuries. His highest Test score of 90 came in 1969 at Lahore, where he helped take a decisive first innings lead of 127 against Pakistan in a low-scoring match. New Zealand won that Test match by five wickets. Eventually, they won the three-match series 1–0, making the win their first Test-series victory.

Murray was one of only three international cricketers to take a wicket and concede no runs during the Third Test at Wellington in 1968, bowling an over against India and dismissing opener Syed Abid Ali. In all, Murray played 102 first-class matches, most of which came in domestic cricket, for Wellington and scored 6257 runs at an average of 35.55, including six centuries.

Wave of mourning in New Zealand cricket

Following Murray's death, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) wrote via their men's and women's team Twitter accounts, "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Bruce Murray, former Test batsman, at the age of 82. 'Bags' (as as he was known) played 13 Tests between 1968 and 71 at an average of 23.92. He was the grandfather of New Zealand's Amelia and Jess Kerr. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."