| Country | New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Fullname | Ian Alexander Rutherford |
| Birth date | 30 June 1957 |
| Birth place | Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Death date | 2 April 2026 (aged 68) |
| Death place | Ettrick, New Zealand |
| Family |
|
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Bowling |
|
| Club 1 | Otago |
| Year 1 | 1974–75 – 1976–77 |
| Club 2 | Worcestershire |
| Year 2 | 1976 |
| Club 3 | Central Districts |
| Year 3 | 1977–78 |
| Club 4 | Wanganui |
| Year 4 | 1977–78 |
| Club 5 | Otago |
| Year 5 | 1978–79 – 1983–84 |
| Club 6 | Central Otago |
| Year 6 | 1981–82 – 1985–86 |
| Type 1 | FC |
| Debutdate 1 | 26 December |
| Debutyear 1 | 1974 |
| Debutfor 1 | Otago |
| Debutagainst 1 | Canterbury |
| Lastdate 1 | 6 March |
| Lastyear 1 | 1984 |
| Lastfor 1 | Otago |
| Lastagainst 1 | Central Districts |
| Type 2 | LA |
| Debutdate 2 | 30 November |
| Debutyear 2 | 1975 |
| Debutfor 2 | Otago |
| Debutagainst 2 | Canterbury |
| Lastdate 2 | 23 January |
| Lastyear 2 | 1983 |
| Lastfor 2 | Otago |
| Lastagainst 2 | Canterbury |
| Columns | 2 |
| Column 1 | First-class |
| Matches 1 | 79 |
| Runs 1 | 3,794 |
| Bat avg 1 | 27.10 |
| 100s/50s 1 | 5/16 |
| Top score 1 | 222 |
| Deliveries 1 | 79 |
| Wickets 1 | 1 |
| Bowl avg 1 | 28.00 |
| Fivefor 1 | 0 |
| Tenfor 1 | 0 |
| Best bowling 1 | 1/8 |
| Catches/stumpings 1 | 50/– |
| Column 2 | List A |
| Matches 2 | 21 |
| Runs 2 | 449 |
| Bat avg 2 | 21.38 |
| 100s/50s 2 | 1/1 |
| Top score 2 | 100 |
| Deliveries 2 | 8 |
| Wickets 2 | 0 |
| Bowl avg 2 | – |
| Fivefor 2 | – |
| Tenfor 2 | – |
| Best bowling 2 | – |
| Catches/stumpings 2 | 13/– |
| Source | https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/22/22798/22798.html CricketArchive |
| Date | 20 October |
| Year | 2023 |
Ian Alexander Rutherford (30 June 1957 – 2 April 2026) was a New Zealand cricketer who played for Central Districts and Otago between 1974 and 1984.[1][2] In 1978–79 in the Shell Trophy Final he batted for 625 minutes for his highest first-class score of 222 for Otago against Central Districts in New Plymouth.[3] He was the older brother of Ken Rutherford. He also played for Central Otago in the Hawke Cup.
Rutherford played 79 first class matches and scored 3794 runs at an average of 27.10 with five centuries and 16 fifties. He also played 21 List A matches, scoring 449 runs at an average of 14.96 with one century and one fifty.[2] He was described as "a dependable presence at the top of the order". He was also a member of three Otago Plunket Shield-winning sides.[4]
Rutherford was a patron of the Molyneux Cricket Club in Alexandra.[5]
Rutherford died as a result of a car collision near Ettrick in Central Otago, on 2 April 2026, at the age of 68.[6]
References
- ^ "Ian Rutherford". NZ Cricket. Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ^ "Ian Rutherford profile and biography, stats, records, averages, photos and videos". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
- ^ "Central Districts v Otago – Shell Trophy 1978/79 (Final)". Cricket Archive. 12 March 1979. Retrieved 2009-06-05.
- ^ "Otago Cricket Association". www.otagocricket.co.nz. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
- ^ "Central Beat - Easter road toll". 8 April 2026.
- ^ Meikle, Hayden (6 April 2026). "Former Otago stalwart remembered as 'top man' after crash death". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 8 April 2026.