New Zealand fast bowler Motz dies at 67

Christchurch, Apr 30 (UNI) Dick Motz, the first New Zealander to take 100 wickets, has died at the age of 67 here.

The Canterbury all-rounder's body was discovered by his former national captain and close friend Graham Dowling when he called at his Christchurch home yesterday.

Besides being the first Kiwi to take 100 Test wickets, he was a beefy lower-order slogger.

Motz played 32 tests from 1961 to 1969 but retired after discovering he was bowling with a displaced vertebra. Subsequently he became a taxi driver.

He was Wisden's Cricket of the Year in 1966 and the New Zealand Cricketer of the Year in 1961.

Motz took five wickets in an innings five times in tests and scored three half-centuries, all against England.

UNI