As methods of engendering a sense of belonging in a unique family go, New Zealand Cricket hit on a winner when deciding to award presentation black caps to all New Zealand's Test players or their families.

Mounted in rimu cases, and individually embroidered with the player's selection number, the caps have proven a hit with former players or, in the case of deceased players, their families, who might have wondered if their memories were to be their main keepsake from their international careers.

The idea was mooted by former New South Wales and Australia A cricketer Neil Maxwell during his time as NZC's marketing manager.

One of the early decisions of the new management regime headed by incoming chief executive Christopher Doig back in 1995 was to protect the silver fern, the most notable emblem of national representation.

Previously players at all levels of the game in New Zealand were provided with gear on which the silver fern was emblazoned. This was felt to depreciate the value of the silver fern so by the time younger players reached full international status the allure of the silver fern was not what it should have been, and by implication the regard for what it represented was not appreciated by players.

A new symbol was designed for the lower graded players and the silver fern became the preserve of the national men's and women's teams.

To highlight the silver fern's place in the New Zealand cricket psyche, the presentation caps were instituted.

That involved a specific problem for NZC, tracking down all the players.

Those from the last 30 years or so were no problem, but the later years took consultation with the likes of Walter Hadlee, Don Neely, Iain Gallaway, Ron Palenski at the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame and Warwick Larkins, and Wellington autograph collector David Parsons who had scoured electoral rolls and other research tools at the National Library. The New Zealand Cricket Encyclopedia also provided some hints.

As a result, the remaining list of players or families still to get their caps is down to 12: C S 'Stewie' Dempster, G R 'George' Dickinson, M 'Matt' Henderson, J E 'Jack' Mills, C F W 'Cyril' Allcott, H M 'Herb' McGirr, A M 'Mal' Matheson, H G 'Giff' Vivian, M P 'Martin' Donnelly, D A R 'Sonny' Moloney, L A 'Len' Butterfield and W R 'Bill' Playle.

McGirr's cap is to be presented to Nelson College where he went to be groundsman when his playing days are over.

Butterfield's cap is to be presented to the Sydenham Cricket Club.

NZC administration manager Tim Murdoch has had the job of attempting to make contact with deceased players' families or tracking down surviving players.

One recent presentation he made was on Australia's Gold Coast where Don Cleverley, who played two Tests with 14 years and 28 days separating his matches, now lives.

The 91-year-old provided Murdoch with some special moments.

"It was a thrill to meet him, to present the cap to him and to see the pleasure that receiving the cap gave him. He remembered a lot about his career," he said.

Cleverley played his first Test against South Africa in 1931/32 and his last against Australia in 1945/46. In his first-class career, mainly for Auckland but latterly for Central Districts 23 summers after making his debut, he took 99 wickets with a best of 8-75 for Auckland against Wellington.

One Australian club, at South Perth, proved a connecting point for three former players. Globe-trotting Ted Badcock, who was in New Zealand's first Test team and a notable coach, spent the latter part of his life in Perth and bequeathed his cricket memorabilia to the South Perth Club, which also happens to be the home club of Paul Barton and Rodney Redmond.

Another break in finding players came following a radio interview on Canterbury on Air in Christchurch. That provided, within hours, connections to the families of Alby Roberts, Don McRae and Bill Merritt.

"We received many nice notes from families who received the caps and were appreciative of the memories they provided of their husbands and fathers," Murdoch said.

A sample of some of the responses follows:

Mrs Betty Freeman (the widow of D L 'Don' Freeman, who until Daniel Vettori's selection was New Zealand's youngest Test player): "I know he would have been honoured to be remembered and that one of his three grandsons or his granddaughter eventually have custody of this cap."

Murray Scott (the son of V J 'Verdun' Scott): "I just wanted to say how thrilled my mother, my brother and myself were at New Zealand Cricket's very kind gesture."

Mrs Joan Overton (the widow of G W F 'Guy' Overton): "The Black Cap will remind us of the pleasure Guy derived from cricket and endorse our pride in his achievements."

Mrs Jean Emery (the widow of R W G 'Ray' Emery): "It is a wonderful gesture from the Cricket Council to know that these players have not been completely forgotten.

"I am now 80 years of age and well remember the happy cricketing years we had and the sacrifices we made with young families."

Bruce McLeod (the son of E G 'Eddie' McLeod): "It was magnificently presented in its wooden display box, and I am most proud to possess it. Thank you again for the gift, the memories, and the thought that has gone into the Presentation Black Cap."

So far the Black Caps Test family has extended to include 215 players. NZC's innovative policy has helped restore meaning to the notion of 'family' and has lent a ready made aspect of tradition which was overlooked for too long.

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