Eric Petrie

Who was Eric Petrie?

Eric Charlton Petrie was a New Zealand cricketer who played 14 Tests for New Zealand from 1955 to 1966 as a wicket-keeper.

After several years playing for Waikato in the Hawke Cup, Eric Petrie made his first-class debut for Auckland in 1950-51. He established himself in the team in 1952-53, and was selected to tour Pakistan and India with the New Zealanders in 1955-56. He played in four of the eight Tests on the tour.

He captained Auckland in 1954-55, and when the Northern Districts cricket team made its first-class debut in 1956-57 he was appointed captain, a position he held until the end of the 1960-61 season. He toured England in 1958, playing all five Tests. He was also selected for the Gentlemen in the Gentlemen v Players match at the end of the season. Wisden noted that he was "a neat and reliable wicket-keeper, who ... was immensely popular because of his pleasant personality".

He played both Tests when England toured in 1958-59, and after a gap he returned for all three Tests when England toured in 1965-66. He retired from first-class cricket after the 1966-67 season.

He scored two first-class centuries, both against Wellington, the first in 1953-54 when he opened the Auckland second innings and made 151, the other in 1959-60 when he made 136 at number five for Northern Districts. His top score in Tests was 55 against England in the First Test in 1965-66.