Gavin Larsen
New Zealand
Gavin Rolf Larsen
Born: 27 September 1962, WellingtonMajor Teams: New Zealand, Wellington.
Known As: Gavin Larsen
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Medium
ODI Debut: 1 March 1990 v India, Dunedin
Career Record (at 1996 World Cup):
TESTS
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
Batting 6 10 3 92 26* 13.14 - - 5 -
O M R W Ave Best 5w 10w Econ
Bowling 251.5 82 517 19 27.21 3-57 - - 2.05
ONE-DAY INTERNATIONALS
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
Batting 76 45 20 444 37 17.76 - - 12 -
O M R W Ave Best 5w Econ
Bowling 682 62 2552 61 41.83 4-24 - 3.74
WORLD CUP
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
Batting 9 2 1 45 37 45.00 - - 5 -
O M R W Ave Best 5w Econ
Bowling 76 7 262 9 29.11 3-16 - 3.44
1996 World Cup Profile:
It seems an age ago that Gavin Larsen was just another provincial middle order batsman with aspirations limited to holding his place in the Wellington side. The need for five bowlers in limited overs cricket changed all that. Most teams have a "5th," and he worked his way up from that role with Wellington to the class, economical, ODI bowler he is today. A much misunderstood player, particularly by overseas critics who have no local knowledge of the depth available to the New Zealand side or of the player himself, he is one of those bowlers who comes on to the bat quicker than you think. Watch him from side-on sometime. On a typical slow turner he can make it hard for the batsman to even hit it off the square, but he is at his best on a slow seaming track. Keeping it just short of a drivable length he will get away movement off the seam and be both penetrative and well nigh impossible to hit. Many times in the past he has rescued New Zealand from a wayward start with the new ball, and of late has often come on well within the 15 overs. Of course his batting has suffered, but recently he won an ODI against Pakistan with the bat at the death after almost doing it in the previous game. As a reliable player, a thinker, and a provincial captain, he has a lot to offer in the "brains-trust" department, and he was made vicecaptain of the touring party to England in 1994 even though his expection of test play was not high.help@cricinfo.com