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Rona McKenzie

Rona McKenzie

MBE
Posing during a coin toss in 1957
Personal information
Full name
Rona Una McKenzie
Born(1922-08-20)20 August 1922
Takapau, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Died24 July 1999(1999-07-24) (aged 76)
Auckland, New Zealand
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm medium
RoleAll-rounder
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 27)12 June 1954 v England
Last Test17 March 1961 v Australia
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1943/44–1975/76Auckland
Career statistics
Competition WTest WFC
Matches 7 125
Runs scored 295 4,984
Batting average 22.69 29.31
100s/50s 0/2 8/21
Top score 61 141
Balls bowled 570 5,794
Wickets 8 191
Bowling average 26.75 12.87
5 wickets in innings 0 8
10 wickets in match 0 0
Best bowling 4/18 6/8
Catches/stumpings 3/– 73/–
Source: CricketArchive, 27 November 2021

Rona Una McKenzie MBE (20 August 1922 – 24 July 1999) was a New Zealand cricketer, and was the first Maori to captain the New Zealand women's cricket team.[1] She played as an all-rounder, batting right-handed and bowling right-arm medium. She appeared in seven Test matches for New Zealand between 1954 and 1961, captaining in them all. McKenzie's highest score was 61 as she scored 295 runs at an average of 22.69, and she took 8 wickets at 26.75, with a best bowling of 4 for 18.[2] She played domestic cricket for Auckland.[3]

New Zealand women's cricket team, United Kingdom tour of 1954

Her first Test series was on the 1954 tour of England. She played in all three Tests, losing the series one-nil. 1956–57 saw a tour to Australia, and one Test, which was lost. England toured New Zealand in 1957–58 playing two drawn Tests, and Australia visited in 1960–61, when one drawn Test was played.

In the 1975 New Year Honours, McKenzie was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to women's cricket.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Born on 20th August New Zealand's Rona McKenzie". Penbugs. 20 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Player Profile: Rona McKenzie". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Player Profile: Rona McKenzie". CricketArchive. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  4. ^ "No. 46446". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 1 January 1975. p. 38.