Outstanding New Zealand cricket writer R T 'Dick' Brittenden died in Christchurch today.

Brittenden, who was the long-serving sports editor and cricket writer of The Press in Christchurch, was the chronicler of the early years of New Zealand's development from the easy beats of world cricket to a much more competitive force.

He has been retired in Sumner, Christchurch's seaside suburb, and was still a regular contributor to the Press' weekly coverage of club cricket until last season.

During his career he covered several overseas tours and produced memorable books on the 1953/54 tour of South Africa "Silver Fern on the Veldt" and the tour of England, India and Pakistan in 1969 "Scoreboard '69".

He wrote several other books, including the first autobiography of legendary New Zealand all-rounder Sir Richard Hadlee.

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