Mark Donald Craig (born 23 March 1987) is a New Zealand former Test cricketer who played first-class cricket for Otago. A spin bowler, he bowled right-arm off spin, and batted left-handed. He fielded predominantly at second-slip.
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| Full name | Mark Donald Craig | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 23 March 1987 Auckland, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Left-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Right-arm off break | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Role | Bowler | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| National side |
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| Test debut (cap 265) | 8 June 2014 v West Indies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Test | 22 September 2016 v India | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic team information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008/09–2018/19 | Otago | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | Gloucestershire | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Cricinfo, 17 June 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic career
editCraig was born at Auckland in 1987 and played age-group cricket for the provincial side. His early career was effected by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome[1] although he went on to play domestic top-class cricket for Otago between the 2008–09 and 2018–19 seasons and in the Netherlands for Hermes DVS in the Topklasse competition in 2012. In 2014 Craig played in England for Gloucestershire. He was awarded his county cap after appearing in only one match for the side.[2][3] Craig also spent two seasons in England playing for Coombs Wood Cricket Club in the Worcestershire League in 2005/06.[4]
International career
editCraig made his Test cricket debut for New Zealand against the West Indies in June 2014, winning the man of the match award for match bowling figures of 8 for 188. These were the best figures by a New Zealand player on debut until William O'Rourke's 9/93 in February 2024.[5] He was also the first batsman to hit the first ball he faced in Test cricket for six.[6][7]
Craig showed the ability to bat in tight situations for his team, with his high score of 67 coming in a 4-hour stand with BJ Watling.[8]
References
edit- ^ Ford P (2014) Trusting a man with two first names, CricInfo, 23 April 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
- ^ Mark Craig, CricInfo. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ Mark Craig, CricketArchive. Retrieved 17 June 2023. (subscription required)
- ^ "Latest News". Worcestershire League. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
- ^ "Statistics / Statsguru / Test matches / Bowling records". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ Unwalla, Shiamak (12 June 2014). "Mark Craig and other batsmen who smashed six off first ball faced in an innings". Cricket Country. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- ^ "Six and in: Debutant's rare feat against Aussies". Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- ^ "New Zealand tour of West Indies, 1st Test: West Indies v New Zealand at Kingston, Jun 8–12, 2014". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 June 2014.