William Hawksworth

New Zealand cricketer

William Hawksworth

OBE

Hawksworth in 1940

Personal information
Born| (1911-03-03)3 March 1911
Nelson, New Zealand
Died| 14 July 1966(1966-07-14) (aged 55)
Oxford, England
Role| Wicket-keeper
Domestic team information
Years| Team
1929/30–1933/34| Otago
Career statistics
| Competition | First-class

|

Matches | 12
Runs scored | 162
Batting average | 14.72
100s/50s | 0/0
Top score | 27*
Catches/stumpings | 20/7

Source: ESPNcricinfo, 18 August 2020

William Hawksworth OBE (3 March 1911 - 14 July 1966) was a New Zealand cricketer and doctor.

## Life and career

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Hawksworth was born at Nelson in 1911 and educated at Wairarapa High School and then at Nelson College from 1925 to 1928.[1][2] He went on to study medicine at the University of Otago, graduating MB ChB in 1935.[3] He won the university medal for obstetrics.[4]

He played twelve first-class matches as a wicket-keeper for Otago between the 1929–30 and 1933–34 seasons. He represented the province whilst studying in Dunedin, and played no first-class cricket after graduating as a doctor in 1935.[5] He scored a total of 162 first-class runs, with a highest score of 27 not out. He scored 21 runs in an innings which formed part of a tenth wicket partnership of 184 runs with Roger Blunt. The partnership, which was made against Canterbury at Lancaster Park in December 1931, set a record for the tenth wicket in New Zealand domestic cricket which, as of January 2024, still stands.[2][6][7]

Hawksworth worked as house surgeon at New Plymouth Hospital before moving to London in the late 1930s to continue his studies.[8] He married Roberta Jolliffe of Wellington in London in July 1940.[8]

Hawksworth served in the Medical Corps of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in World War II. He served in North Africa, Greece, Crete and Italy, commanding a field ambulance.[9] He was awarded the OBE for his services.[10]

After the war Hawksworth returned to England. He became a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist to the United Oxford Hospitals. In 1959 he received the degree of MA Oxon as a Fellow of University College. He served on the Council of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists for six years.[9] Among his patients in Oxford was the American actress Patricia Neal, who gave birth in 1965 after being partially paralysed by a series of strokes.[11]

Hawksworth died in Oxford after a short illness in July 1966, aged 55. He was survived by his widow, a son and two daughters.[9][11]

## References

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1. ^ "Full school list of Nelson College, 1856–2005". Nelson College Old Boys' Register, 1856–2006 (CD-ROM) (6th ed.). 2006.
2. ^ a b McCarron A (2010) New Zealand Cricketers 1863/64–2010, p. 65. Cardiff: The Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians. ISBN 978 1 905138 98 2 (Available online at the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians. Retrieved 5 June 2023.)
3. ^ "NZ university graduates 1870–1961: Ha–He". Shadows of Time. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
4. ^ "University of Otago". Otago Daily Times: 4. 22 May 1935.
5. ^ "William Hawksworth". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
6. ^ William Hawksworth, CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 January 2023. (subscription required)
7. ^ First-Class Highest Partnerships for Tenth Wicket, Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
8. ^ a b "[Untitled]". Evening Post: 14. 18 September 1940.
9. ^ a b c "Hawksworth, William (1911 - 1966)". Royal College of Surgeons. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
10. ^ "William Hawksworth". Auckland Museum. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
11. ^ a b "Doctor Dies". Press: 14. 16 July 1966.

## External links

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* William Hawksworth at ESPNcricinfo