Lindsay Sparks
New Zealand cricketer (1944–2025)
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Lindsay Charles Sparks, usually known as Lin or Lyn, (5 December 1944 – 18 August 2025) was a New Zealand cricketer and rugby union player. He played first-class and List A cricket for Central Districts and Auckland in the late 1960s and 1970s, and rugby union for Marlborough, Air Force and Combined Services between 1962 and 1974.[1][2]
Waikari, Canterbury, New Zealand
Christchurch, New Zealand
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Lindsay Charles Sparks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 5 December 1944 Waikari, Canterbury, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 18 August 2025 (aged 80) Christchurch, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Right-arm medium | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic team information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1965/66–1971/72 | Marlborough | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1967/68–1970/71 | Central Districts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1977/78 | Auckland | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Cricinfo, 23 August 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
After several successful matches for Marlborough in the Hawke Cup,[3] including seven wickets in the match in January 1968 in which Marlborough gained the Cup for the first time,[4] Sparks made his first-class debut for Central Districts against the touring Indians in February 1968, taking 4/63 in what was nevertheless an innings defeat.[5] His best first-class figures were 6/46 against Canterbury in January 1970.[6]
Sparks' last two games in senior cricket were the only List A matches in which he appeared. In March 1971 he played against MCC at Fitzherbert Park in Palmerston North, taking the wicket of John Edrich.[7] After a gap of more than six years, in November 1977 he made a solitary appearance for Auckland in the Gillette Cup.[8]
In rugby Sparks made 23 appearances for Marlborough as a goal-kicking fullback, first five-eighth, or centre. He played in Marlborough's victory over the French touring team in 1968 and against the British Lions in 1971.[9]
Sparks died in Christchurch on 18 August 2025, at the age of 80.[9][10][11]