Lindsay Sparks

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Lindsay Sparks
Personal information
Full name
Lindsay Charles Sparks
Born(1944-12-05)5 December 1944
Waikari, Canterbury, New Zealand
Died18 August 2025(2025-08-18) (aged 80)
Christchurch, New Zealand
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm medium
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1965/66–1971/72Marlborough
1967/68–1970/71Central Districts
1977/78Auckland
Career statistics
Competition First-class List A
Matches 9 2
Runs scored 109 –
Batting average 10.90 –
100s/50s 0/0 –
Top score 21 –
Balls bowled 1,110 101
Wickets 18 1
Bowling average 24.72 85.00
5 wickets in innings 1 0
10 wickets in match 0 0
Best bowling 6/46 1/44
Catches/stumpings 4/– 1/–
Source: Cricinfo, 23 August 2025

Lindsay Charles Sparks, usually known as Lin or Lyn, (5 December 1944 – 18 August 2025) was a New Zealand cricketer and rugby union player. He played first-class and List A cricket for Central Districts and Auckland in the late 1960s and 1970s, and rugby union for Marlborough, Air Force and Combined Services between 1962 and 1974.[1][2]

After several successful matches for Marlborough in the Hawke Cup,[3] including seven wickets in the match in January 1968 in which Marlborough gained the Cup for the first time,[4] Sparks made his first-class debut for Central Districts against the touring Indians in February 1968, taking 4/63 in what was nevertheless an innings defeat.[5] His best first-class figures were 6/46 against Canterbury in January 1970.[6]

Sparks' last two games in senior cricket were the only List A matches in which he appeared. In March 1971 he played against MCC at Fitzherbert Park in Palmerston North, taking the wicket of John Edrich.[7] After a gap of more than six years, in November 1977 he made a solitary appearance for Auckland in the Gillette Cup.[8]

In rugby Sparks made 23 appearances for Marlborough as a goal-kicking fullback, first five-eighth, or centre. He played in Marlborough's victory over the French touring team in 1968 and against the British Lions in 1971.[9]

Sparks died in Christchurch on 18 August 2025, at the age of 80.[9][10][11]

References

  1. "Lin Sparks". NZC. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  2. "Lindsay Charles Sparks". New Zealand Rugby History. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  3. "Other matches played by Lindsay Sparks". CricketArchive. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2009.
  4. "Hutt Valley v Marlborough 1967-68". CricketArchive. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  5. "Central Districts v Indians in 1967/68". CricketArchive. Retrieved 29 April 2009.
  6. "Central Districts v Canterbury 1969-70". CricketArchive. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  7. "Central Districts v Marylebone Cricket Club in 1970/71". CricketArchive. Retrieved 29 April 2009.
  8. "Auckland v Wellington in 1977/78". CricketArchive. Retrieved 29 April 2009.
  9. "Lin Sparks remembered". Marlborough App. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  10. "Lindsay Charles SPARKS". Lamb & Hayward. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  11. "Lindsay Charles "Lyn" SPARKS". Legacy.com. Retrieved 23 August 2025.