Bruce Edgar
New Zealand cricketer
title: "Bruce Edgar" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["new-zealand-cricketers", "1956-births", "living-people", "new-zealand-test-cricketers", "new-zealand-one-day-international-cricketers", "cricketers-at-the-1979-cricket-world-cup", "cricketers-at-the-1983-cricket-world-cup", "wellington-cricketers", "new-zealand-cricket-coaches", "wicket-keepers", "20th-century-new-zealand-sportsmen"] description: "New Zealand cricketer" topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Edgar" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary New Zealand cricketer ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox cricketer"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Bruce Edgar |
| fullname | Bruce Adrian Edgar |
| birth_date | |
| birth_place | Wellington, New Zealand |
| nickname | Bootsy |
| batting | Left-handed |
| role | Wicketkeeper |
| international | true |
| country | New Zealand |
| internationalspan | 1978–1986 |
| testdebutdate | 27 July |
| testdebutyear | 1978 |
| testdebutagainst | England |
| testcap | 143 |
| lasttestdate | 21 August |
| lasttestyear | 1986 |
| lasttestagainst | England |
| odidebutdate | 17 July |
| odidebutyear | 1978 |
| odidebutagainst | England |
| odicap | 30 |
| lastodidate | 18 July |
| lastodiyear | 1986 |
| lastodiagainst | England |
| club1 | Wellington |
| year1 | 1976/77–1989/90 |
| columns | 4 |
| column1 | Test |
| matches1 | 39 |
| runs1 | 1,958 |
| bat avg1 | 30.59 |
| 100s/50s1 | 3/12 |
| top score1 | 161 |
| deliveries1 | 18 |
| wickets1 | 0 |
| bowl avg1 | – |
| fivefor1 | – |
| tenfor1 | – |
| best bowling1 | – |
| catches/stumpings1 | 14/– |
| column2 | ODI |
| matches2 | 64 |
| runs2 | 1,814 |
| bat avg2 | 30.74 |
| 100s/50s2 | 1/10 |
| top score2 | 102* |
| deliveries2 | 12 |
| wickets2 | 0 |
| bowl avg2 | – |
| fivefor2 | – |
| tenfor2 | – |
| best bowling2 | – |
| catches/stumpings2 | 12/– |
| column3 | FC |
| matches3 | 175 |
| runs3 | 11,304 |
| bat avg3 | 40.22 |
| 100s/50s3 | 24/61 |
| top score3 | 203 |
| deliveries3 | 164 |
| wickets3 | 2 |
| bowl avg3 | 46.99 |
| fivefor3 | 0 |
| tenfor3 | 0 |
| best bowling3 | 1/0 |
| catches/stumpings3 | 94/1 |
| column4 | LA |
| matches4 | 119 |
| runs4 | 3,893 |
| bat avg4 | 37.79 |
| 100s/50s4 | 4/22 |
| top score4 | 147* |
| deliveries4 | 18 |
| wickets4 | 0 |
| bowl avg4 | – |
| fivefor4 | – |
| tenfor4 | – |
| best bowling4 | – |
| catches/stumpings4 | 31/0 |
| date | 16 December |
| year | 2017 |
| source | http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/player/36951.html Cricinfo |
| :: |
| name = Bruce Edgar | image = | alt = | caption = | fullname = Bruce Adrian Edgar | birth_date = | birth_place = Wellington, New Zealand | death_date = | death_place = | nickname = Bootsy | height = | batting = Left-handed | bowling = | role = Wicketkeeper | international = true | country = New Zealand | internationalspan = 1978–1986 | testdebutdate = 27 July | testdebutyear = 1978 | testdebutagainst = England | testcap = 143 | lasttestdate = 21 August | lasttestyear = 1986 | lasttestagainst = England | odidebutdate = 17 July | odidebutyear = 1978 | odidebutagainst = England | odicap = 30 | lastodidate = 18 July | lastodiyear = 1986 | lastodiagainst = England | club1 = Wellington | year1 = 1976/77–1989/90 | columns = 4 | column1 = Test | matches1 = 39 | runs1 = 1,958 | bat avg1 = 30.59 | 100s/50s1 = 3/12 | top score1 = 161 | deliveries1 = 18 | wickets1 = 0 | bowl avg1 = – | fivefor1 = – | tenfor1 = – | best bowling1 = – | catches/stumpings1 = 14/– | column2 = ODI | matches2 = 64 | runs2 = 1,814 | bat avg2 = 30.74 | 100s/50s2 = 1/10 | top score2 = 102* | deliveries2 = 12 | wickets2 = 0 | bowl avg2 = – | fivefor2 = – | tenfor2 = – | best bowling2 = – | catches/stumpings2 = 12/– | column3 = FC | matches3 = 175 | runs3 = 11,304 | bat avg3 = 40.22 | 100s/50s3 = 24/61 | top score3 = 203 | deliveries3 = 164 | wickets3 = 2 | bowl avg3 = 46.99 | fivefor3 = 0 | tenfor3 = 0 | best bowling3 = 1/0 | catches/stumpings3 = 94/1 | column4 = LA | matches4 = 119 | runs4 = 3,893 | bat avg4 = 37.79 | 100s/50s4 = 4/22 | top score4 = 147* | deliveries4 = 18 | wickets4 = 0 | bowl avg4 = – | fivefor4 = – | tenfor4 = – | best bowling4 = – | catches/stumpings4 = 31/0 | date = 16 December | year = 2017 | source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/player/36951.html Cricinfo
Bruce Adrian Edgar (born 23 November 1956) is a former cricketer who represented New Zealand in both Test and One Day International (ODI) format. A chartered accountant by profession, Edgar played as a left-handed opening batsman and an occasional wicketkeeper during one of New Zealand's most successful eras in international cricket. He gained respect across the cricket world for his courage against the fastest bowlers of his era (which included greats like Imran Khan, Michael Holding, Bob Willis and Dennis Lillee), his classically straight batting technique, and his outstanding teamwork.
In 1981, Edgar became the first cricketer to be unbeaten on 99 in an ODI innings
Early life and playing career
Edgar was born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand. His father, Arthur, had represented Wellington in a few first-class matches. He was educated at Rongotai College, where he attracted attention for his brilliant batting, but would later curb his attacking instincts for the sake of the team when opening for both Wellington and later New Zealand.
In internationals, he formed a successful opening partnership with fellow left-hander John Wright.
Edgar was at the non-striker's end during the infamous underarm bowling incident which occurred on 1 February 1981 during the third World Series Cup final between New Zealand and Australia at the MCG. His striking partner, Brian McKechnie, needed a six to tie the match from the final ball. Australian bowler Trevor Chappell, on orders from the team captain and older brother Greg Chappell, bowled the ball underarm, rolling it on the ground to prevent McKechnie from getting the six and winning the match for Australia, with McKechnie hurling his bat away in disgust and Edgar aiming a V-sign towards Trevor Chappell.
The unfortunate part of the incident was that, at the time, Edgar was 102 not-out for the innings, his only one-day international century and highest score. It is often considered "the most overlooked century of all time."
The following season, some consolation for Edgar is the fact that his highest test score, 161, was against Greg Chappell's Australians at Eden Park, Auckland. New Zealand won this Test match, only their second against Australia, by five wickets and took a 1–0 lead in the three-test series, with Edgar named Man of the Match. The series was drawn 1–1, after Australia won the final test by eight wickets at Lancaster Park, Christchurch. Edgar topped the Kiwi batting averages with 278 runs at 55.60.
Life after playing career
In 1981, Bruce Edgar was professional for the Hyde team which won the Central Lancashire League championship. He was later involved with the Gordon Grade Cricket Club in Sydney. He coached the A.W. Greenshield team in the 2010–11 season.
In August 2013, Edgar returned to his homeland to take up the part-time position of General Manager national selection with New Zealand Cricket. His main role would be to coordinate a selection panel that would report to head coach Mike Hesson. Edgar resigned from his position in May 2015. While reduced work and pay, as well as lack of support from the board were key reasons, Edgar also mentioned the less-than-hospitable experiences at the 2015 Cricket World Cup, including having to sit with the wives and girlfriends of the Australian players during the final, a situation he described as "awkward". The following month, Edgar was appointed Head Coach of Wellington on a three-year contract, replacing Jamie Siddons.
Edgar has worked in financial services since his retirement from international cricket. As of 2024 he is a director at Booster Financial Services. He also chairs the Cricketers' Retirement Fund and the New Zealand Rugby Players Savings Scheme.
References
Bibliography
- Brittenden, Dick and Cameron, Don (1982). Test Series 82, AH and AW Reed Ltd, Wellington and NSW.
References
- "Records {{!}} One-Day Internationals {{!}} Batting records {{!}} 99 not out (and 199, 299 etc) {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
- "1st ODI: New Zealand v India at Auckland, Feb 14, 1981 {{!}} Cricket Scorecard {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
- Romanos, Joseph. (16 August 2013). "Edgar should be in charge of New Zealand Cricket". [[The Timaru Herald]].
- "All-round records {{!}} Test matches {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo".
- "All-round records {{!}} One-Day Internationals {{!}} Cricinfo Statsguru {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo".
- "Underhand, underarm". Cricinfo.
- (2009-02-04). "Australia v New Zealand 1980-81". Cricinfo.
- "Grim prophecy fulfilled". Cricinfo.
- "3rd Final: Australia v New Zealand at Melbourne, Feb 1, 1981 {{!}} Cricket Scorecard {{!}} ESPN Cricinfo". Cricinfo.
- Brittenden & Cameron, pp. 101–102, 119, & 151.
- (12 August 2013). "Bruce Edgar New Zealand's new GM national selection". [[ESPN Cricinfo]].
- Anderson, Niall. (10 May 2015). "Cricket: Bruce Edgar reveals reasons for departure". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
- Geenty, Mark. (30 June 2015). "Former Black Cap Bruce Edgar named Wellington Firebirds coach". Stuff.co.nz.
- "The Cricketers' Trust: Our Trustees".
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