Central Districts Cricket was saddened by the passing of LINDSAY 'LYN' SPARKS last month in Christchurch.

Originally from North Canterbury, he was an accompished all-round sportsman and a member of the first Marlborough team to lift the Hawke Cup, in January 1968 under captain Gary Bartlett. 

As a pace allrounder, Sparks soon went on to represent Central Districts in nine first-class matches. He was Central Stags first-class cap 86, and was also a member of the very first Stags side to play a List A one-day match as our white ball cap number nine.

That match was held in March 1971 at Palmerston North against the touring MCC, and it turned out to be his only one-day appearance for Central. 

Much later, he made one more List A appearance, for Auckland in 1977. 

His first-class debut for Central had also been against a touring team — against India at Pukekura Park, in February 1968.

He took 4/63 and, in the Plunket Shield a couple of years later, took his only first-class bag with 6/46 against Canterbury in Whanganui, the only time he played against them.

He had also shown himself to be a handy right-hander with the bat for Marlborough, but never reached 50 in his Domestic career.

Sparks excelled not only in cricket, but in rugby and squash - he was a national A Grade player and achieved a top 10 ranking nationally in the latte. He was a regular competitor in Combined Services teams before transitioning into careers in real estate and immigration consultancy.

His career in the air force from 1960 until 1982 saw him based at various defence force hubs, including Woodbourne Base near Blenheim, from 1966.

He raised his family in the area, and played both rugby and cricket for Marlborough. He got to experience landmark days in both codes. 

 

Marlborough with the Hawke Cup, 1968. Lyn Sparks back row, third from left

during a civic reception in front of a large crowd 

at the Band Rotunda in central Blenheim

 

Marlborough’s Hawke Cup breakthrough — after some six decades of trying, came after he had taken hauls of 5/43 and 2/89 while opening the bowling in tandem with Bartlett against Hutt Valley. 

His wickets included Test rep Artie Dick whom he dismissed for 15 in both innings.

In rugby, he normally played as fullback, first five-eighth, or sometimes centre. He was a member of the Marlborough team that famously beat France 24-19 in 1968 — the same year as the Hawke Cup triumph; with Sparks contributing 12 of those points at fullback and breaking several of his ribs after a committed tackle.

Sparks was also a member of the Nelson/Marlborough combined XV that played against the British Lions in 1971, and was still playing senior club cricket for Oxford in Canterbury when he was 70.

Central Districts Cricket offers deepest condolences to Lyn’s family and friends, and to his considerable sporting family, particularly to those who played with and against him at Marlborough Cricket Association.

Lyn's love of cricket (and rugby) lives on through grandsons Angus Olliver (Auckland Aces) and Josh Olliver (New Zealand Under 19, New Zealand Māori). 

Article added: Monday 8 September 2025