By D.J. CAMERON
R. T. (Dick) Brittenden, one of the foremost cricket writers in the world in the postwar years, died on Monday in his native Christchurch, aged 82.
Brittenden's long association with the Press newspaper in Christchurch began in 1938.
It was interrupted by bomber service with the Air Force during World
War II.
After the war he rejoined the Press, set up a sports department in 1955 and was sports editor until his retirement in 1984.
Brittenden continued with freelance work for the newspaper, and finished his long reporting association with Christchurch club cricket only last year.
He gained worldwide respect both as a travelling cricket writer for the New Zealand Press Association and as a prolific author of tour books and biographies.
Tours took him to England four times, India and Pakistan twice, South Africa and Australia once. Brittenden also covered the centenary test between England and Australia in Melbourne in 1977.
The 1953-54 New Zealand tour of South Africa brought him to special notice with his coverage of the dramatic events of the Ellis Park test in late 1953.
Brittenden's description in newspaper and book of the heroic batting of a battered Bert Sutcliffe and bereaved Bob Blair has been placed among the finest examples of contemporary sports writing.
He was made a MBE for his services to journalism.
He is survived by his wife Joy, daughter Wendy and sons Richard, Dennis, Peter and Gary.D. J. Cameron
