Mark Craig
New Zealand cricketer
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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.
Auckland, New Zealand
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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
Craig was born at Auckland in 1987 and played age-group cricket for the provincial side. His early career was affected by chronic fatigue syndrome[1][2] 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.[3][4] Craig also spent two seasons in England playing for Coombs Wood Cricket Club in the Worcestershire League in 2005/06.[5]
International career
Craig 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.[6] He was also the first batsman to hit the first ball he faced in Test cricket for six.[7][8]
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.[9]