Wisden overview
Known as "Larceny" among his team-mates, Gavin Larsen's bowling was more like petty theft. Stocky, medium-paced and skilled at changing pace, he dismissed many a good batsman without apparently being any great threat. He was a surprise choice as vice-captain for New Zealand's tour of England in 1994, where he finally won a Test cap at Trent Bridge, five years after his one-day debut. He was also a determined batsman, who once shared in a domestic fifth-wicket record of 341 for Central Districts. Larsen is a determined, cheerful character who dibble-dobbled his way through 121 one-day internationals, with a swansong in 1999 as New Zealand reached the semi-finals of the World Cup. He enjoys his life off the field, but never let it compromise his dedication to cricket. Christopher Martin-Jenkins Adapted by Wisden from World Cricketers: A Biographical Dictionary (Oxford, 1996).

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