Former Black Caps selector and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) president Don Neely has passed away, aged 86, prompting an outpouring of tributes from the cricket world.
Neely was a notable cricket historian and author, a life member of NZC, a trustee of the New Zealand Cricket Museum and former presidentof NZC and Cricket Wellington.
He also spent 14 years as a New Zealand selector, including seven as convener of selectors.
Martin Crowe (L) with Don Neely (R) in 1989. Photo / Photosport
A right-handed batsman, he played for Wellington between 1964 and 1968 and captained the side from 1965 to 1968, before playing for Auckland from 1968 to 1971.
Neely was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 1995 New Year Honours and a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2011 New Year Honours, both for services to cricket.
In 2008, the Basin Reserve unveiled a new electronic scoreboard which was officially named the Don Neely Scoreboard.
The Don Neely Scoreboard at the Basin Reserve. Photo / Photosport
Cricket Wellington was quick to pay tribute to Neely who spent a considerable period of his life promoting and working for cricket in the region.
"Don dedicated his life to cricket as a player, administrator and historian, and the Basin Reserve scoreboard is named after Don in his honour. Our thoughts are with his wife Padianne, his family and friends," the organisation wrote on social media.
Don Neely with his wife Patti in 2009. Photo / Photosport
Former director of the New Zealand Cricket Museum, Jamie Bell, said Neely was a constant presence during his time there and his contributions to the museum were unrivalled.
"Don was one of the few people with the influence to help the Museum who actually did so. I've often joked the Museum's collection is about 80% marked with small round stickers bearing the name 'Neely'," Bell wrote on Twitter.
"I'm grateful he wrote so many books, shared so much of his knowledge, and did things others weren't, like photographing women's cricket in the 1970s."
Veteran sports journalists also lauded Neely's contributions to cricket during his life, with Newstalk ZB's Jason Pine saying he played a crucial role in fueling his passion for the sport as a youngster.
"Growing up, I pored over every page of the DB Cricket annuals and later Men in White," Pine wrote on Twitter.
"I was lucky enough to meet Don and work alongside him on the Wellington Sports Legends panel. A wonderful man."
Sad to hear of the passing of Don Neely. Next time you’re at the Basin, take a look at the scoreboard named in his honour and pause to reflect on all of the good he’s done for NZ cricket. A life well lived. Rest easy.
NZ fans owe the late Don Neely a debt for his forensic chronicling of the country's cricket history. Men In White, The Summer Game and numerous annuals are a mighty legacy. Fortunately he is immortalised by the Basin Reserve scoreboard to remind future generations of his impact.
Rest in peace, Don Neely. Such a generous soul to NZ cricket & aficionados. Among many greater things, D.O. was my Dad's captain in @aucklandcricket prems in early 70s; he never failed to ask after him whenever we chatted & reminisce. Don leaves a wonderful legacy for us all🕊️
He was indeed. Fortunate to spend 3+ hours with him at his home for an interview a few years back. A treasure trove of knowledge on all things cricket. Rest in peace, Don. https://t.co/Mm77PIJiIQ
Paddyanne Neely, wife of cricket historian Don Neely, gives her account of the incredible five-year journey that her and Don took when making their book 'Men in White' which became the definitive record of the New Zealand men’s cricket story 🏏 pic.twitter.com/tnpDiLOlRV
— New Zealand Cricket Museum (@NZCricketMuseum) January 31, 2022
Wellington Mayor Andy Foster added his tribute to Neely.
"Don was a gentleman and, of course, a huge figure in Wellington and New Zealand cricket. Anyone who loved cricket will have known Don and probably enjoyed his many books on the subject. It is no overstatement to say he was an authority on the sport."
Mayor Foster said it was fitting that Mr Neely's passing has been noted today on the main scoreboard at the Basin Reserve - named in his honour.
"I offer heartfelt condolences to Don's wife Paddianne, family and friends. He'll be sadly missed."
