Cricket

Gary Bartlett burst onto the international stage like a meteor blasting through the atmosphere. Blistering speed, brilliant athleticism and movie star looks thrust the shy Blenheim teenager into the limelight and he did not disappoint, stunning Ian Craig's 1960 Australian team in his debut international series with hostile, skilled fast bowling. In a career tragically cut short by a series of crippling injuries, he put 42 first-class batsmen in hospital, all victims of the lightening speed generated from a short rhythmical run. Bartlett played a key role in New Zealand's first test win overseas on the epic tour of South Africa in 1961-62 and every time he played, the Kiwi's chances of winning were considerably enhanced. This is a wonderful and colourful story of courage, triumph, despair and controversy, about a humble but very proud man, embellished by the many people who contributed their Bartlett stories.