Ian Hamilton (cricketer)


Ian Malone Hamilton was a first-class cricketer who played twice for New Zealand in the years before New Zealand played Test cricket.

Cricket career

Hamilton attended Christ's College, Christchurch, where he was a prominent cricketer. He made his first-class debut in the 1926-27 Plunket Shield, playing one match for Canterbury as a middle-order batsman. He opened the innings in 1927-28, scoring 175 runs at an average of 29.16 with a top score of 77. He also made 69 for Canterbury against the touring Australian team. He was selected to play for New Zealand in both matches against Australia at the end of the season.
In the first match against Australia in Auckland, Hamilton batted at number three and scored a bright 40, including a six off Don Blackie, in the drawn match. In the second match in Dunedin, a low-scoring affair, he batted at number six, making 12 and 4, and New Zealand lost by seven wickets.
He played on for Canterbury with moderate success until 1932-33. In the first match in 1930-31 he scored 40 and 80, his highest score, against Auckland. He also played for South Canterbury in the Hawke Cup.