Newspaper Article 2015 – Shrimpton tributes flow

Shrimpton tributes flow

Admired cricket master mourned

Anendra Singh
[email protected]

Obituary
Cricket

NEW ZEALAND’S only world cup-winning cricket coach, Mike Shrimpton, has lost his battle with brain cancer.

The former international player and White Ferns coach died on Saturday in Hastings aged 74.

“He was our mentor, friend and offered sage counsel and just everything about him,” Central Districts Cricket amateur cricket manager Scott Briasco said from Napier last night.

“He knew so much about the game. He was articulate and retained people’s interest in it,” Briasco said of the former middle-order right-hand batsman whose 10-test career comprised seven matches against the powerful MCC touring sides of 1962-63, 1965-66 and 1970-71 – one at home against South Africa (in 1963-64) and two in Australia (1973-74).

“He’d done all that [playing and coaching] in a humble and pleasant sort of way – that made the guy one of a kind.”

The former legspinner was captain of the CD Stags in the 1969-70 and 1972-73 seasons as well as from 1976-77 to 1978-79.

Shrimpton was at the helm of the White Ferns side when they won the 2000 World Cup.

“That’s the pinnacle of achievement in his coaching involvement from the grassroots to the top,” Briasco said of the former Napier Boys’ High School English/ history teacher who went on to serve New Zealand Cricket in coaching roles with the NZ Under- 19s, NZ Development, NZ Emerging Players and NZ Academy under Dale Hadlee’s reign.

“Mike was more than a cricket coach or player. He had a huge influence and had an effect on so many people’s lives so he was an outstanding contributor.”

Briasco, who taught at Hastings Boys’ High School, said Shrimpton was a guidance counsellor at NBHS, “very well read and very articulate”.

Only several weeks ago he was coaching a group of age-group rep cricketers in Palmerston North.

“He was a masterclass at spin bowling,” he said, adding he was an adroit player who, when he started, “was quite precocious and tempered the way he played to go up to a higher level”.

White Ferns coach Haidee Tiffen, who played in the world-cup side in 2000, told NZ Cricket: “Mike made cricket fun for everyone. He had a really dry sense of humour and made people laugh. We’ll miss him greatly.”

Shrimpton scored 5812 first-class runs at 29.80, including seven centuries and a highest score of 150. His leg-spin accounted for 81 first-class wickets at 29.45.

The Cornwall Cricket Club premier men’s coach also played 40 Hawke Cup matches for the Bay and held numerous CD batting records until Mathew Sinclair eclipsed a few before retiring.

A former New Zealand selector and life member of CD, Shrimpton was in 2006-07 awarded the Bert Sutcliffe Medal for services to cricket.

Speaking from the Highlands, Scotland, Cornwall club stalwart David Black said Shrimpton was a continuation of quality coaches at the club, following in the footsteps of Paul Unwin, Lincoln Doull and Andrew Niblett.

Shrimpton returned from Christchurch after the earthquake in 2011 to continue coaching with Cornwall and CD.

“He would coach any cricketer irrespective of age and ability. He was a stickler in preparing his teams and players and put much effort into reviewing matches and individual performances,” Black said, adding he was “a fine taster of ginger beer in the club bar”.

Shrimpton had no qualms promoting juniors to premier grade, At club practice nights he enjoyed delivering his leggies to any batsmen who freed up his arms.

Last summer he was awarded the Black Family Cup for the best club member.

“Cornwall Cricket club and its members will miss Mike greatly. He will always be remembered.

Shrimpo was a wonderful coach and person,” Black said.

PHOTO CAPTION – REVIEWER: Mike Shrimpton (right) with Lance Cairns in Napier.