Giff Vivian

Who was Giff Vivian?

Henry Gifford Vivian was a New Zealand cricketer who played in seven Tests from 1931 to 1937.

After attending Mount Albert Grammar School in Auckland, Giff Vivian made his first-class debut for Auckland in December 1930. He scored 37 and 81 against Canterbury. After two more games he was selected in the New Zealand team to tour England in 1931.

A forceful left-handed middle-order batsman and left-arm spin bowler, in 25 matches on the tour he made 1002 runs at 30.36, with centuries against Oxford University and Yorkshire. He also took 64 wickets at 23.75, with a best return of 6 for 70 against Glamorgan. Still aged only 18, he played in the Second and Third Tests, making 51 on debut and taking four wickets in the two matches.

In the first match of the 1931-32 season he scored 165 against Wellington out of an Auckland total of 285. In the next match he took 4 for 73 and 5 for 62 against Otago, and then 5 for 59 against Canterbury. He did not play in the First Test against South Africa later that season, but restored to the team for the Second Test he made 100 and 73 and took four wickets. "The 1931-32 season," wrote Dick Brittenden, "supported those who claimed he was New Zealand's finest cricketer."