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Geoff Allott
Geoff Allott
Geoff Allott
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Geoffrey Ian Allott (born 24 December 1971) is a former New Zealand cricketer who played in 10 Tests and 31 One Day Internationals (ODIs) from 1996 to 2000. In the New Zealand domestic competition he played for the Canterbury cricket team as an opening bowler. Allot retired from all cricket in 2001, following series of injuries. Allott was a member of the New Zealand team that won the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy.

Key Information

International career

[edit]

Allott was a member of the New Zealand squad that won a bronze medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, which was the only time cricket was included in Commonwealth games. Allott was a revelation at the 1999 Cricket World Cup in England May/June 1999. With 20 wickets in nine matches he topped the wicket taking ranks for the tournament. Gaining prodigious movement in the air and off the pitch, the left-armer deceived some of the world's best batsmen, and made a huge contribution towards New Zealand's semi-final finish.[citation needed]

He was first selected by Glenn Turner for the Test series against Zimbabwe in 1995/6, when New Zealand had an injury crisis and were looking to give Test experience to new players of quality. Although he was moderately successful he was not selected for the subsequent ODI series or for the 1996 Cricket World Cup. A quick left armer in the Richard Collinge "dig it in" mould he was considered too inaccurate for limited overs. Over the winter he built up his strength and bowled well for his province at the start of 1996/7. A great game for New Zealand A versus England in 1997 earned him a recall to the Test team, and he bowled far better in two Tests than his figures might indicate.[citation needed]

Trivia

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He held the record for the longest time taken to score a duck in Test cricket as well as taking a long time to get off the mark, but was dismissed for duck – 77 balls and 101 minutes for New Zealand versus South Africa in 1999.[1][2][3][4] Though his record for longest time for a duck still stands, his record for longest time for no runs was held until March 2013, when England cricketer Stuart Broad batted for 103 minutes against New Zealand before scoring a run.[5]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Geoff Allott

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Geoffrey Ian Allott (born 24 December 1971) is a former cricketer renowned for his left-arm fast-medium . He represented in 10 matches and 31 One Day Internationals (ODIs) between 1996 and 2000, capturing 19 wickets in Tests at an average of 58.47 and 52 wickets in ODIs at an average of 23.21. His international career was significantly curtailed by persistent back injuries, including a that forced his retirement from all in 2001 at age 29. Allott's most notable achievement came during the in , where he emerged as a surprise star for , taking 20 wickets in nine matches at an average of 16.00—the joint-highest tally in the tournament alongside Australia's and the first instance of a bowler reaching 20 wickets in a single edition. His performances, including a career-best 4/37 against , were instrumental in reaching the semi-finals, where they lost to . Earlier, Allott had debuted in Tests against in January 1996 and in ODIs against in February 1997, while also contributing to 's bronze medal win in cricket at the in . After retiring, Allott transitioned into business and administration, working in banking and before serving as of Cricket for from 2008 to 2010 and later as a board member. He co-founded FACE , a firm, and has occasionally commented on the game, reflecting on his career's highs and the physical toll of his action.

Early life and domestic career

Early life

Geoffrey Ian Allott was born on 24 December 1971 in , , . Raised in the city, he grew up in a local family with no documented international sporting heritage. Allott developed an early interest in during his school years in , participating in school teams at . He initially played as a leg-spinner, starting in the school's third XI and eventually scraping into the first XI. His involvement extended to local youth activities, where he honed his skills as a right-handed batsman and bowler. A pivotal influence came from his school coach, Graeme , who recognized Allott's tall stature, high arm action, strength, quick wrists, and reactions as better suited to fast bowling. Around the age of 17, Allott switched from spin to left-arm under Ash's guidance, crediting the coach for shaping his aggressive pace style. This formative change paved the way for his entry into domestic with .

Domestic career

Geoff Allott made his first-class debut for in the 1994–95 season as a left-arm fast-medium bowler. Throughout his domestic career, Allott primarily featured in the , New Zealand's premier first-class competition, and the Shell Cup, the domestic one-day tournament. In domestic first-class matches, he captured 78 wickets, with his best figures of 6/60 achieved against in the 1997–98 . In the Shell Cup, Allott appeared in 26 matches, taking 35 wickets at an average of 20.54, highlighted by his best performance of 4/23 against in the 2000–01 season. Allott's breakthrough came in the 1998–99 season after remodeling his bowling action to address stress fractures, which allowed him to generate improved pace and swing; this form saw him take 18 wickets in domestic one-day , outperforming contemporaries like Shayne O'Connor and earning a recall to the national setup. As Canterbury's lead new-ball bowler during the , Allott formed a key part of the team's pace attack, complementing swing and seam movement on variable pitches to challenge top-order batsmen in provincial encounters.

International career

Test cricket

Geoff Allott made his Test debut for on 13 January 1996 against at Trust Bank Park in Hamilton, where he claimed one wicket for 51 runs in 17 overs during 's first innings. He played two Tests in that series, taking five wickets overall at an average of 47.80, including figures of 3/94 in the opener and contributing to 's drawn series. Over his Test career, Allott featured in 10 matches between 1996 and 1999, capturing 19 wickets at an average of 58.47 with best figures of 4/74 and a best match haul of 4/106; his economy rate stood at 3.29 runs per over. As a lower-order batsman, he scored 27 runs in 15 innings at an average of 3.38, with a highest score of 8 . His left-arm fast-medium bowling relied on swing, but persistent injuries limited his opportunities and effectiveness in the longer format. In the 1999 tour of South Africa, Allott played the first two Tests, struggling with the bat and ball amid challenging conditions. In the Auckland opener, he dismissed Gary Kirsten for 128—his sole wicket of the series, caught by Nathan Astle—while conceding 90 runs from 33 overs in South Africa's massive 621/5 declared; New Zealand followed on, and Allott endured a record-breaking 101-minute, 77-ball duck in the first innings, partnering Chris Harris for 32 runs without contributing a single. This effort set the then-world record for the longest time to score a duck in Test cricket, surpassing Godfrey Evans' 97 minutes, though it was later broken by Trent Boult in 2015. In the second Test at Christchurch, Allott went wicketless for 71 runs off 37.5 overs as South Africa dominated. Allott's most productive Test series came during New Zealand's 1999 tour of , where he played three matches and took 5 wickets at an average of 59.80, including figures of 2/38 in the first innings at , where he bowled captain for 44, contributing to a low total of 126. In the Lord's second Test, Allott added 0/37 and 3/36, dismissing Dean Headley, Aftab Habib, and Andy Caddick to help secure a victory. Despite these efforts, New Zealand lost the series 2-1.

One Day International cricket

Geoff Allott made his (ODI) debut for on 26 February 1997 against at in Napier, where he bowled seven overs and took one wicket. Over the course of his ODI career, which spanned from 1997 to 2000, Allott played 31 matches, primarily as a left-arm fast-medium bowler, capturing 52 wickets at an average of 23.21 with best figures of 4/35; he contributed minimally with the bat, scoring just 17 runs at an average of 3.39. Allott's ODI performances peaked during key tournaments, showcasing his ability to exploit swing and seam conditions. He was part of New Zealand's squad that secured a at the in , competing in the sport's only appearance at the event, where the team defeated in the third-place playoff. In the , Allott contributed to New Zealand's historic victory—their first global limited-overs title—bowling in the final against at Gymkhana Club, where he took one wicket in a tense defense of 265 that resulted in a four-wicket win. His final ODI came on 1 November 2000 against at Kingsmead in , marking the end of his international limited-overs career after 31 appearances. Among Allott's standout contributions were several high-profile dismissals that highlighted his skill against top-order batsmen, particularly during the where he claimed 20 wickets to share the tournament lead. Notable scalps included Australia's and , South Africa's , Pakistan's , and India's , often through precise that troubled opponents on English pitches.

Retirement and later life

Injuries and retirement

Geoff Allott's career was repeatedly hampered by recurrent back injuries, particularly stress fractures in his lower spine, which he suffered multiple times over several years. He experienced his first notable around 1997, leading to a period of sidelining that forced a complete overhaul of his action in 1998 to alleviate pressure on his back; this marked his third comeback from such an injury. By the time of his standout performance at the 1999 World Cup, Allott had already endured nearly as many s as international matches played, yet he pushed through to take 20 wickets. Following the 1999 World Cup and the subsequent Test series in England, where he missed the final two matches due to recurring issues, Allott's participation became increasingly limited. He sat out New Zealand's domestic summer in 1999-2000 with another and was restricted to one-day formats upon return, including a reduced role in the despite contributing to the team's victory. The injuries culminated in a sixth diagnosed in his lower back after tours to and in late 2000, which failed to heal adequately despite rehabilitation efforts. Allott's last international appearance was in November 2000 during the one-day series in . On March 23, 2001, at the age of 29, he announced his retirement from all , citing the unhealed that prevented him from regaining full fitness and risking further long-term damage. In reflecting on his abrupt exit, Allott expressed regret over the unfulfilled potential following his 1999 World Cup success, noting the physical and emotional strain of injections to play and the frustration of a cut short just as it peaked.

Post-cricket career

After retiring from cricket in 2001, Geoff Allott transitioned into the banking and finance sector, joining ANZ Bank in New Zealand where he managed a mortgage portfolio across the South Island and Wellington regions during the early 2000s. In 2004, he co-founded FACE Finance Ltd, a commercial finance company that became a subsidiary of South Canterbury Finance. In 2008, Allott returned to cricket in an administrative capacity, appointed as the General Manager of Cricket for (NZC), a newly created role responsible for overseeing the BLACKCAPS, elite cricket operations, coaching, selectors, and team support functions. He stepped down from this position at the end of 2010 to pursue other opportunities, having focused on enhancing performance pathways during his tenure. Allott later served on the , elected in 2013 alongside fellow former players and Martin Snedden, contributing to strategic governance until his retirement at the 2021 AGM. In 2022, he was elected as a life member of NZC. Beyond administration, Allott co-founded QualityNZ in 2012, serving as its and focusing on exporting premium products such as , wine, and lamb, primarily to the high-end sector in . As of 2025, QualityNZ has become a major exporter, accounting for 85% of sheepmeat imports to . Leveraging his cricket background, he has played a key role in building relations, using connections from the to facilitate market entry and growth in over the past decade. Allott has occasionally reflected on his playing career's legacy, noting in a 2019 interview that the 1999 World Cup "changed my life," highlighting its enduring personal and professional impact.

References

  1. https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/4089/geoff-allott
  2. https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/geoff-allott-36179
  3. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/geoff-allott-retires-from-all-cricket-105414
  4. https://www.thepress.co.nz/sport/360479035/where-are-they-now-former-black-caps-fast-bowler-geoff-allott
  5. https://olympic.org.nz/athletes/geoff-allott
  6. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/cricket-allott-excited-about-returning-to-game-he-loves/DW47VUQDIST5DEBOR35ISFC7B4/
  7. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/cricket-world-cup/112707242/cricket-world-cup-flashback-when-geoff-allott-matched-shane-warne
  8. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/old-fossil-touched-by-allott-s-cricket-tribute-9-june-1999-81187
  9. https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/2/2237/2237.html
  10. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/allott-s-success-tribute-to-hard-work-12-june-1999-81188
  11. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/recalled-allott-eager-for-step-into-the-unknown-9-december-1998-74725
  12. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/zimbabwe-tour-of-new-zealand-1995-96-62002/new-zealand-vs-zimbabwe-1st-test-63709/full-scorecard
  13. https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/geoff-allott-36179/bowling-batting-stats
  14. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-tour-of-new-zealand-1998-99-61848/new-zealand-vs-south-africa-1st-test-63834/full-scorecard
  15. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/1999/mar/02/cricket2
  16. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/allott-s-101-minute-duck-and-other-tail-end-torments-232375
  17. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-tour-of-new-zealand-1998-99-61848/new-zealand-vs-south-africa-2nd-test-63835/full-scorecard
  18. https://mindthewindows.com/2015/04/10/geoff-allott-i-live-with-that-moment-constantly/
  19. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-tour-of-england-1999-62074/stats
  20. https://www.howstat.com/cricket/statistics/players/PlayerOverview_ODI.asp?PlayerID=2049
  21. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/commonwealth-games-1998-99-460200/kenya-vs-new-zealand-group-d-460230/full-scorecard
  22. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-knockout-2000-01-61073/india-vs-new-zealand-final-66179/full-scorecard
  23. https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/1999_cricket_world_cup/teams/new_zealand/367447.stm
  24. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/cricket-chronic-back-pain-injuries-dismiss-top-paceman/QW5KFSIIGBSGDMWK7KXO6X6QLE/
  25. https://i.imgci.com/db/ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/2000/SEP/052774_NZ_19SEP2000.html
  26. https://www.cricketweb.net/geoff-allott-interview/
  27. https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/archive/new-zealand-cricket-appoints-geoff-allott-to-new-role/
  28. https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/archive/general-manager-of-cricket-to-step-down/
  29. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/hadlee-elected-in-nzc-board-of-directors-672861
  30. https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/archive/nzc-board-welcomes-two-new-directors/
  31. https://www.nzc.nz/media/1pijzdn3/nzc-annual-report-2021-22-resized.pdf
  32. https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/archive/lesley-murdoch-appointed-nzc-president/
  33. https://www.qualitynz.com/people
  34. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/544857/country-life-geoff-allott-on-new-market-possibilities-in-india
  35. https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/markets/qualitynz-bowls-its-way-to-high-end-india/
  36. https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/agribusiness/10372935/A-passion-for-cricket-opens-trade-doors
  37. https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/sports-news/world-cup-memories-1999-world-cup-changed-my-life-geoff-allott-remembers-his-dream-run-6619371.html
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