OTD: Kiwi legend John Wright was born in 1954

John Wright is one of the most renowned New Zealand cricketers who also led the Kiwis and coached them after retirement. He was born on July 5, 1954, in Darfield, New Zealand. His father, Geoff Wright, was a first-class cricketer.

John Wright played cricket for his school, Christ’s College, Christchurch, and amassed many centuries. When he was studying at Otago University, he would travel from Dunedin to Christchurch on the weekends to play club cricket with a goal of being selected for the Canterbury team.

After playing in five first-class matches for Derbyshire in 1977, Wright earned his maiden county cap. The left-handed batter made his international debut on February 10, 1978 against England. Meanwhile, in the ODI format, his first appearance came on July 15, 1978 against the same opponent.

Wright was a gritty batter who would put a price on his wicket. He scored 5334 runs from 82 Tests at an average of 37.82, including 12 centuries and 23 half-centuries. Meanwhile, in ODIs, he played 149 ODIs, aggregating 3891 runs at an average of 26.46. Wright had one century and 24 fifties in ODIs. The 70-year-old had excelled as a captain, being known for bringing the best out of his players. 

Wright played his last ODI in December 1992, and last Test in March, 1993. In 1993, he took retirement and went on to become India’s head coach seven years later. Wright was India’s coach from 2000 to 2005. India won a famous Test series against Australia at home in 2001 and drew against the same team Down Under during Wright’s reign. The Asian side were also guided to the 2003 World Cup final by the New Zealander.

Wright also served as the head coach of New Zealand, replacing Mark Greatbatch in December 2010. However, he stepped down from the role in 2012. Wright became Mumbai Indians coach in 2013 and that was the same year in which the franchise won the IPL for the first time. He has worked with Mumbai Indians for seven years.

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