Vale Robert Anderson
Robert Anderson, b. 2 October 1948, d. 31 May 2025. Debut Canterbury 1967-68, Northern Districts 1969-70, Otago 1971-72, Central Districts 1977-78; New Zealand 1976-77. 9 Tests, 2 ODIs, 111 first-class. 5609 runs, avge 30.65, 8 centuries, HS 155 v Scotland, Dundee, 1978. Tests, 423 runs, avge 23.50, HS 92 (on debut) v Pakistan, Lahore 1976-77.
Robert Anderson, who died in Whangarei on Saturday, is yet another New Zealand batsman whose ability was not reflected in his Test career or even first-class averages.
First selected to represent New Zealand in a B team that toured Australia to play in the domestic Coca-Cola limited overs semi-final, Anderson was then a surprise inclusion in the side that toured England in 1973, playing 11 first-class games but scoring only 316 runs at 24.30, only once batting at No. 3
Having forced his way back into Test consideration when included on the 1976-77 tour to Pakistan and India, Anderson, across the next three summers, was never allowed to settle into his preferred option of batting No. 3. He was frequently used as an opener, as New Zealand looked, yet again, as it would into the future, for a permanent partner for Glenn Turner or John Wright.
He achieved his highest Test score on Test debut when hitting 92, batting at No. 6 as New Zealand followed on having been dismissed for 157 in reply to Pakistan's 417, an innings in which Javed Miandad scored a century on debut – the first of 1919 runs, including seven centuries, at an average of 79.95, he scored in 18 Tests against New Zealand.
In the following summer, and the series against Geoff Boycott's England, Anderson opened with John Wright, famously being part of the first New Zealand team to beat England in an official Test. With scores of 26 and 28, 62 and 15, 17 and 55, he enjoyed his best series with 203 runs at 62.
Robert Anderson celebrating New Zealand’s first win over England, at the Basin Reserve 1978 (Sports Digest photo).
But, on the return tour, he scored only 42 runs, opening the batting in the first two Tests and batting at seven and three in the third. The latter was the only time he got to bat in a Test at his preferred position, and he scored 1.
Yet an example of his potential is evident in the records of Hawke Cup cricket. While he sits fourth on the list of all-time Cup scorers with 1773 runs in 16 games, his average is easily the best at 70.92.
Ironically, given his association with both provinces, Anderson's first Hawke Cup challenge game was played for Northland against Southland at Turnbull Thomson Park in Invercargill in 1970.
Southland had won the Hawke Cup from Waikato despite being dismissed for 93 when batting first at Seddon Park. Anderson was not in the side. Waikato then scored 205, with Andy Roberts top-scoring with 93. Batting a second time, Southland scored 211, leaving Waikato needing only 99 runs to win, but they fell 18 runs short.
However, with the ball thrown to the Alabaster brothers Jack and Gren after only four overs, the spin pair went to work. Jack followed his first innings 5-42 with 6-34 in the second, while Gren took 4-30 as Waikato was dismissed for 81.
Northland was the first challenger, but despite Southland's 110 in the first innings and 139 in the second, the challengers could score only 80 and 115, Anderson scoring 2 and 3 in their 54-run loss.
Having subsequently transferred to Southland by 1973, Anderson was part of a Southland team that challenged Taranaki in the last game of the 1972-73 season. After winning the toss at Pukekura Park in New Plymouth, Southland posted 324, with Brian McKechnie marking his arrival on the scene with a top score of 88, while Jack Alabaster was unbeaten on 75, Anderson having hit 38.
Taranaki was dismissed for 108, with McKechnie taking 4-17 and Jack Alabaster 4-29. Rain denied Taranaki any chance as the game ended with Southland 92-1 and Anderson 53 not out.
Anderson's run of scoring during Southland's tenure was:
1972-73
Taranaki 38 and 53no (Won on first innings)
1973-74
Central Otago 154 and 168no (Won by 344 runs)
Hawke's Bay 3 and 45 (Won by 7 wickets)
North Canterbury 131 and 12 (Won by 110 runs)
Hutt Valley 33 and 15no (Won by 8 wickets)
1974-75
South Canterbury 15 and 84 (Won by 200 runs)
Wairarapa 95 and 4no (Won on first innings)
Nelson 67 and 4 (Won on first innings)
1975-76
South Canterbury 60 and 34no (Won by seven wickets)
North Canterbury 91 and 102 (Won on first innings)
Bay of Plenty 107 and 50no (Won on first innings)
Hutt Valley 53 and 13 (Won by 81 runs)
1976-77
Hutt Valley 43 (Drawn – rain)
Ashburton 255 and 17 (Won by 180 runs)
Wairarapa 18 and 4 (Lost by 65 runs)
Anderson, the son of one-Test father Mac Anderson, saw his son Tim play 16 first-class games for Central Districts and play for New Zealand Under-19. After his playing career ended, Robert Anderson was active in the game, especially in the Northland region and was a mentor to players.
He left his mark on cricket and was always concerned about the game's future. If he was ever frustrated that his potential was unfulfilled, he never let that conflict with his continuing love for the game.