Brian Frederick Hastings

23 March 1940 – 7 October 2024

Brian Hastings (affectionately known as Haste or Hasto) died on Monday, aged 84.

He scored a century in each innings (130, 129no) for West Christchurch University against Sydenham at Sydenham Park in 1962-63. I was the 12-year-old senior scorer for his team at the time.

Ever since that day he was my boyhood cricketing hero. On leaving school, I was privileged to play six seasons with him as a teammate.

What a cricketer!

Brian was a brilliant right-hand batsman who scored with dash and grace all around the wicket whether elegant drives, tucking deft glances off his pads or that crisp, beautifully executed back cut that so characterized his innings. He was full of energy and very athletic whether running between the wickets or fielding in the cover region. He later migrated to the gulley which he made his own, always standing there with arms crossed and holding his head on the slight tilt as if pondering the next tactical move. He was very central to a club team that was rare in quality: Graham Dowling, Terry Jarvis, Dave Trist, all New Zealand players along with the likes of Peter Sharp, Chris Kirk, and Nev Huxford.

Haste’s senior career spanned from 1961/62 to 1979/80 and included 13 senior centuries and 147 catches (21 and 20 in consecutive seasons).

His cricket education was honed at Wellington College where he attended from 1953 to 1957. He was a brilliant all-round student, both in the classroom and on the sports field where he excelled in rugby, athletics and cricket. He made his first-class debut for Wellington as a 17-year-old in 1957/58. He played briefly for Central Districts in 1960/61 when he moved to Blenheim with the Shell Company, before joining The Christchurch Press in1961 when he played for Canterbury. He captained the New Zealand Colts in 1959/60.

He scored 7686 runs including 15 centuries and 38 fifties in 163 first-class matches. His highest score was 226 not out.

Despite his undoubted ability, Haste was not selected for New Zealand until 1969 against the formidable West Indies team which included Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith.

His non-selection was possibly due to an inconsistency. There was no doubt that he was a batsman full of handsome shots, but his Achilles Heel was that he was a nervous starter. Once “in”, of course, he was at his very best dominating the crease and tailoring his batting according to the situation. With age came batting maturity, and several of his Test innings were memorable, and important. His 62 not out which saw New Zealand through to victory in Wellington. His 117 not out which saw the Third Test saved in Christchurch. His 105 in the West Indies on the 1971-72 tour and his world record partnership of 151, with Richard Collinge, against Pakistan in Auckland in 1973 which stood until 2013; and his very important 46 as he partnered Glen Turner in that famous victory over Australia at Lancaster Park in 1972-73..

His Test career of 31 Tests and 11 ODIs, and which included four centuries, ended in 1976.

Haste continued to play socially for his club which was now Burnside West Christchurch University. He served on numerous club committees for a number of years and he was a Life Member. He made two significant contributions; in 1971, the cost of upkeep of the club pavilion at Hagley Oval had become prohibitive and a new home was fiercely debated within the club. The choices were two: a move to the university grounds at Ilam Fields or an amalgamation with the Christchurch Suburban club that resided at Burnside Oval. Brian played an integral part in the move to Burnside Oval. Secondly, in the early 2000s, the Burnside West senior team, among others, was moved to second grade in a grade restructure led by new CEO, Richard Reid. This did not sit well with the club and Brian led resistance to this move by Canterbury Cricket and the status quo was restored the following season. Today, the club sits as one of the strongest in the province.

Brian served as an ICC Match Referee from 2000-2002 during which he oversaw 10 Tests and 18 ODIs. Brian served a term as the President of Canterbury Cricket in the early 2000s and President of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club which underpinned his passion for racing pacers.

Haste was immensely popular: a fine teammate, highly personable and self-assured, always up for a discussion on cricket strategy or selections, and always great company.

He worked for The Press for 38 years ending as Assistant General Manager and, after retirement, he formed a company, along with former New Zealand teammate Graeme Vivian, producing artificial sports field surfaces.

 

Mike Fisher