John Sparling

John Trevor Sparling (born 24 July 1938) is a former New Zealand cricketer who played in 11 Test matches between 1958 and 1964. Domestic career A stocky, fair-haired, off-spinning all-rounder, Sparling was educated at Auckland Grammar School. Coached in Auckland by Jim Laker, he broke into the Auckland team at the age of 18. He continued to play for Auckland until 1970–71. He captained Auckland through most of the 1960s, leading the team to two Plunket Shield titles. His most successful season with the bat was 1959–60, when he made 705 runs at an average of 37.10. In the Plunket Shield match against Canterbury that season he scored 105 and 51 and took 7 for 98 and 2 for 13. His most successful season with the ball was 1964–65, when he took 38 wickets at an average of 15.50. His career-best figures that year, 7 for 49 for Auckland against Otago, took Auckland to a narrow victory.