Obituary
A public memorial service to celebrate Mike Shrimpton’s life will be held in the Pettigrew Lounge, Chapman Pavilion, McLean Park, Napier at 1.00pm this Saturday 20 June 2015.
New Zealand Cricket regrets to advise of the passing of former New Zealand Test player and Women’s World Cup-winning coach, Mike Shrimpton.
A long-serving stalwart of Hawke’s Bay cricket who played the bulk of his 122 first-class matches for Central Districts, Mr Shrimpton passed away at the weekend. He was 74.
A stylish right-hand batsman and leg-spinner, Mr Shrimpton was captain of Central Districts in the 1969-70 and 1972-73 seasons, and from 1976-77 to 1978-79.
His 10-Test career comprised seven Tests against the powerful MCC touring sides of 1962-63, 1965-66 and 1970-71; one at home against South Africa (in 1963-64), and two in Australia (1973-74).
His highest Test score was 46 against Ray Illingworth’s 1970-71 England tourists at Auckland. He was also a well respected teacher and arguably made his greatest contribution to the game after his playing days, when he shifted his focus to coaching.
Mr Shrimpton's roles within New Zealand Cricket included New Zealand Under 19s coach, New Zealand Development coach, New Zealand Emerging Players coach and New Zealand Academy coach.
However, he will be best remembered as the coach of the New Zealand WHITE FERNS team which won the Women’s ICC Cricket World Cup in New Zealand in 2000.
Mike Shrimpton (left) coached the WHITE FERNS to the top of the world in 2000
The presentation bat he was awarded following the tournament was donated to Central Districts and is now the Mike Shrimpton Trophy – contested by women’s teams in the region.
Images: Photosport
WHITE FERNS coach Haidee Tiffen, who played in the World Cup side in 2000, said Mr Shrimpton would always be remembered as an astute and insightful coach, as well as being a true gentleman of the game.
“Mike was a wonderful coach and mentor,” said Tiffen. “Cricket, and women’s cricket in particular, has lost a great friend.
“He was extremely considered and insightful in his approach, and had a wonderfully empowering effect on all our players.
“Mike made cricket fun for everyone. He had a really dry sense of humour and made people laugh. We’ll miss him greatly.”
A popular and much-loved figure on the domestic circuit during his playing days, Mr Shrimpton scored 5,812 first-class runs at 29.80, including seven centuries and a highest score of 150.
His leg-spin accounted for 81 first-class wickets at 29.45.
Mr Shrimpton also played 40 Hawke Cup matches for Hawke's Bay, and remains the District Association’s top run-scorer.
A former New Zealand selector and a life member of the Central Districts Cricket Association, he was in 2006-07 awarded the Bert Sutcliffe Medal for services to cricket.
