I was surprised to read the match reports of the second one-dayer between New Zealand and Australia which Australia won quite comprehensively.One report mentioned Gilchrist's record of dismissing first five batsman in a ODI,while the another informed that Vettori by scoring 83 in this match equalled Lance Klusener's record of highest individual score at number 8. But none mentioned a word about Jeff Wilson's amazing record.It was after a gap of 11 years and 331 days that Wilson was playing a ODI – missing 271 games for New Zealand during this period. With this Wilson obliterated all previous records of longest gap between two appearances – both in terms of time and matches.
Wilson had made his ODI debut way back in 1992-93 against Australia at home. After an unimpressive debut where he recorded a duck and conceded 58 runs off his 10 overs, Wilson made amends by playing a slashing innings at Hamilton (44 not out off 28 balls, 3 fours and one six), which gave New Zealand an exciting victory with two balls to spare. Surprisingly Wilson decided to focus on his rugby after that series and played his first match for the All Blacks before his 20th birthday. After a distinguished career in the black jersey, he retired from all rugby in 2002. Wilson then returned to the Otago Volts where he caught the eyes of the national selectors with some strong performances. He was a shock selection for New Zealand's one-day games against a World XI, which replaced the scheduled matches against Sri Lanka, who had returned after the tsunami disaster.Wilson did well, taking 3 for 6 in one of the games, and retained his place for the one-day series against Australia.He did not appear in the first game at Wellington, but played in the second match and history was made.
The previous record of missing most matches in between two appearances was of 218 matches held by South African wicket-keeper Errol Stewart. In terms of time interval, Wilson expunged England’s Wayne Larkins’ record who made a comeback after 9 years and 266 days during the 1989-90 Nehru Cup.
Wilson had made his ODI debut way back in 1992-93 against Australia at home. After an unimpressive debut where he recorded a duck and conceded 58 runs off his 10 overs, Wilson made amends by playing a slashing innings at Hamilton (44 not out off 28 balls, 3 fours and one six), which gave New Zealand an exciting victory with two balls to spare. Surprisingly Wilson decided to focus on his rugby after that series and played his first match for the All Blacks before his 20th birthday. After a distinguished career in the black jersey, he retired from all rugby in 2002. Wilson then returned to the Otago Volts where he caught the eyes of the national selectors with some strong performances. He was a shock selection for New Zealand's one-day games against a World XI, which replaced the scheduled matches against Sri Lanka, who had returned after the tsunami disaster.Wilson did well, taking 3 for 6 in one of the games, and retained his place for the one-day series against Australia.He did not appear in the first game at Wellington, but played in the second match and history was made.
The previous record of missing most matches in between two appearances was of 218 matches held by South African wicket-keeper Errol Stewart. In terms of time interval, Wilson expunged England’s Wayne Larkins’ record who made a comeback after 9 years and 266 days during the 1989-90 Nehru Cup.
