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New Zealand and Canterbury cricketer Gary Stead had no shortage of supporters during the second test at the Basin Reserve with two fan clubs.

The fan clubs did not know of each other's existence until the weekend in Wellington where they met and joined forces to cheer for their hero.

Stead rewarded them with a fine double of 68, equal top score in the first innings, and 33 in just his second test. He has a test batting average of 42.66.

Both camps pointed out that their support for Stead began well before his call-up for the second test in Christchurch.

One group has been underway since Stead's cousin Lee Mortimer moved to the capital several years ago. The Wellington division of the club has T-shirts printed with ``Ready, Steady, Go'' on them.

The other contingent also has had T-shirts printed.

``We support Gary because he embodies everything that the New Zealand team has been lacking during much of the 1990s. He shows that grit and determination the team really needs,'' said spokesman Reuben Levermore.

Levermore, formerly from Christchurch, said his group had been conducting a campaign to have Stead included in the test team after his splendid form in the Shell series.

Stead declined to have his picture taken with the group, as the Black Caps slid towards defeat against South Africa yesterday, but that did not faze the club. ``We expect that of a guy like Gary who is just so modest. That's part of the reason we support him. He is an anti-hero,'' Levermore said.