David Murray Quested

16 April 1946 – 6 August 2024

Dave Quested died recently after a short illness. He was 78.

Being a match official at any level of sport is difficult: all are passionate, brave, and willing. Some are officious and inflexible. Others are good listeners. Most have a basic to good level of sporting knowledge. The better ones have a comprehensive knowledge of the Laws of Cricket and are accurate in their decision-making. Those who reach the very top have something extra that sets them apart. Invariably they will have that personality that allows them to manage players and strike up a rapport in such a way that makes all feel comfortable and respectful.

Dave Quested was such a man.

He learnt the game at an early age under the watchful eye of his stepfather, Laurie Mahoney, former Canterbury all-rounder, who was a strong influence in encouraging Dave’s love for cricket. His skills were honed under the watchful eye of Peter Sharp, his 1st XI coach at Linwood High School in the early 1960s.

Dave joined the New Zealand Police in 1967 and rose to the rank of Detective Sergeant. He retired from the Police after 32 years of service and worked in the Youth Justice System under contract which allowed him the flexibility to pursue his cricketing passion in the summer.

His work essentially ruled out cricket under the Canterbury Cricket Association due to their senior matches starting in the morning. Cricket in the Christchurch Suburban grades was a better fit with their afternoon starts and Dave joined the Woolston Working Men’s Club at Garrick Park as a right arm medium bowler and a lower order left hand bat. His unusual action, which had him bowling in a similar style to Lance Cairns (off the wrong foot), saw him have considerable success at senior level and in representative level for the Christchurch Suburban team and the New Zealand Police XI and New Zealand Combined Services team.

At the conclusion of his playing days in the 1980s, Dave retained his love for cricket by entering the umpiring ranks. In this domain, he made a considerable impact and debuted at International One-day format in 1992 through to 2002. He stood in 31 matches and was the TV umpire in 15 matches. His Test debut came three years later in 1995 through to 2001. He stood in five Tests and was TV umpire in seven Tests. Dave also stood in 18 Women’s One-day Internationals.

At domestic level he stood in 63 matches and was a Match Referee in14 matches. He stood in 62 One-day (List A) matches and was Match Referee in 15. He stood in 11 T20 matches and was Match Referee in a further 12.

He retired from standing as an umpire at first class level in 2010 and, thereafter, was appointed by New Zealand Cricket as a match referee.

The Canterbury Cricket Umpires’ Association was exceptionally strong through this period with the likes of Brian Aldridge, Roger McHarg, Gary Baxter and Dave providing great continuity and leadership at club level through to the international level.

Dave’s contribution was immense, both on the playing field and in administration. He was on the executive of the Canterbury Cricket Umpires’ Association and the Canterbury Regional Association for a considerable period. He also had two maximum terms as President in 1991-1993 and in 2005-2008. In later years he acted as an umpire’s mentor at club level. Dave was made a Life Member of these Associations in 2013.

Dave’s unexpected death is a massive loss to the family that he loved and to the Canterbury cricket fraternity that he served so well.