Gary Williams (New Zealand cricketer)
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gary John Williams |
| Born | 11 March 1953 Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Died | 8 November 2025 (aged 72) Kohimarama Beach, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Role | Occasional wicket-keeper |
| Relations |
|
| Domestic team information | |
| Years | Team |
| 1975/76–1977/78 | Otago |
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 28 May 2016 | |
Gary John Williams (11 March 1953 – 8 November 2025) was a New Zealand cricketer. He played eight first-class matches for Otago between the 1975–76 and 1977–78 seasons.[1]
Cricket
Williams played for the New Zealand Schools team in the early 1970s,[2] including touring Australia with the side in 1970–71, and played age-group cricket for Otago from the 1971–72 season. He went on to make his first-class debut for the representative side in December 1975 against Auckland at Carisbrook, recording a duck in the first innings and scoring nine runs in the second.[2][3]
A batsman who was considered a candidate to open the Otago innings with Ken Rutherford ahead of the first match of the following season, Williams played in six matches for Otago during 1976–77, scoring 94 runs, including his only half-century in first-class cricket.[3] The innings, against Auckland in January 1977, in which he scored 60 runs was described as "a long, stubborn knock" which almost saved the game for Otago.[4] A single match during the 1977–78 season against the New Zealand under-23 side marked the end of his first-class career.[3]
Horse racing
Williams was involved for many years in horse racing and had shares in both gallopers and harness horses. He had a share in the winners of over 500 races across the codes including syndicate interests in:
- Auckland Trotting Club Syndicate Group 1 winners, Changeover, Tintin In America, Matai Mackenzie and Ideal Belle. Changeover won the 2008 New Zealand Trotting Cup.
- Breckon Farm Syndicate Group 1 winners Luby Lou, Partyon, Tickle Me Pink, Bettor Twist, A Bettor You and High Energy.
Williams joined the Auckland Trotting Club and was a Race Night Steward.[5]
Williams was also a part owner of top gallopers:
- Xcellent, winner of four Group 1 races including the New Zealand Derby and Kelt Capital Stakes as well as placing 3rd in the 2005 Melbourne Cup.
- Pasta Post, winner of the Easter Handicap and City of Auckland Cup with Pasta Post
- Leaderboard, winner of the Wellington Cup and the Grand National Steeplechase in Australia.
Personal life and death
Williams was born in Dunedin on 11 March 1953,[6] and educated at Otago Boys' High School.[5]
During his working life, Williams was an accountant and owned two fast food franchises. After he retired he managed the Nelson Giants basketball team.[7]
Williams died at Kohimarama Beach in Auckland on 8 November 2025, at the age of 72.[8][9]
References
- ^ "Gary Williams". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
- ^ a b Lively pitch may help Canterbury fast bowlers, The Press, 16 December 1976, p. 36. (Available online at Papers Past. Retrieved 23 February 2024.)
- ^ a b c Garry Williams, CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 July 2023. (subscription required)
- ^ Catch wins match for Auck, The Press, 10 January 1977, p. 22. (Available online at Papers Past. Retrieved 23 February 2024.)
- ^ a b "Vale Gary Williams". Harness Racing New Zealand. 14 November 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ McCarron A (2010) New Zealand Cricketers 1863/64–2010, p. 140. Cardiff: The Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians. ISBN 978 1 905138 98 2 (Available online at the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians. Retrieved 5 June 2023.)
- ^ Gamble, Warren (14 November 2025). "Tributes for former Nelson business and sports leader Gary Williams". Stuff. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ "Gary Williams". The New Zealand Herald. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
- ^ Bell, Jonathan (17 November 2025). "Gary Williams (1953–2025): sporting legend who left enduring mark". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 18 November 2025.