Part II: BWCUCC top-5 run scorers of all-time

Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club | June 29, 2025

Following on from Part One of BWCUCC's all-time top run-scorers. Here is the top-five, which includes the current head coach and two BlackCaps reps.

5 – MA Hastings 6005 runs, BWCUCC #407

Hastings is another surname that carries a great legacy around the cricket club. Mark Hastings, son of Brian was a triple threat cricketer, excellent with bat, ball and in the field.

Hastings plied his trade for BWUCC from 1989-2007 playing 205 times over all three formats. Marks highest score for the club was 125, he scored centuries in two formats, scoring three in total. Mark is in both the batting and bowling all-time top ten so we will cover his prowess with the ball in hand when we investigate the bowlers.

A noted match winner and clean striker of the ball Mark followed in his father’s footsteps to represent Canterbury playing 10 times at first class level scoring a solitary half century. He also went on to play 27 list A games scoring two half centuries with a highest score of 95. An outstanding cricketer, and a well-loved legend of the club. 

Mark Hastings on the drive for Canterbury.

4 – RW Haglund 6407 runs, BWCUCC #388

Russell Haglund is BWUCC third most capped player. Playing an impressive 224 matches from 1982-96. Haglund was a part of the dominant side through the 80’s-90’s that claimed 10 one day titles along with a two-day championship.

Haglund scored six centuries for the club with a high score of 114. One of his six centuries came against an Old Boys Collegians attack featuring Sir Richard Hadlee and brother Dale. Along with being an organised batsman, Haglund also took over 150 wickets for the club with a best of 7-42. Proving an asset to the side with his all-round abilities. Not many players have passed the 200-game mark. Russell Haglund provided a consistent role in the side throughout this period, captaining the side at times and proving to be a key to the sustained success throughout the 80’s and 90’s.

Russell Haglund cutting against St Albans.

3 – BF Hastings 7481 runs, BWCUCC #280 (West Christchurch & Burnside)

The Hastings name is synonymous with the club.

Brian Hastings is a life member and one of the greatest players to come out of BWCUCC. Playing 147 times from 1961-82, scoring 13 centuries and 41 half centuries, at an average of 34.2 and a highest score of 153. He is the only player in the club’s history to score centuries in both innings of a two-dayer.

Hastings was a noted timer of the ball and an excellent cutter and hooker of the ball. He kicked off his first-class career in his native Wellington as a 17-year-old before stints at Central Districts and Canterbury. Playing 163 times at first class level averaging 31.89 with 15 centuries.

He became Blackcap number 116 when he made his test debut against a fearsome West Indies attack. Hastings batted at number four with club great Graham Dowling opening the batting and captaining the side. He managed 18 and 31 on debut, being dismissed by Sir Garfield Sobers and David Holford. Hastings went on to play 31 tests and 11 ODI’s scoring four test centuries with his highest score a classy 117 not out against the West Indies in Christchurch. Hastings shared a record final wicket partnership of 151 with Richard Collinge against Pakistan in Auckland. Post playing, Hastings became a match referee for the ICC and spent time as BWCUCC club president.

Brian Hastings playing behind square for New Zealand.

 

2 – CW Huyser 7736 runs, BWCUCC #545

Hailing from South Africa, Carl is an explosive top order batsman. Carl loves to put pressure back on the bowlers, playing elegant cover drives and leaping onto anything short.

The club’s second most capped player playing 320 games from 2008- present. Carl is the current head coach of the side. He is a championship winning captain, leading his side to victory in the 2017/18 season, winning the one-day title, the club’s first trophy in over 25 years.

He is also a championship winning coach collecting 3 x two-day, 2 x one-day and a T20 title in his 4 seasons as coach. His outstanding leadership might overshadow what a terrific batsman Carl is. Opening the batting in club cricket is no easy task and Carl has stepped up to the demand for over 15 years.

Carl has 2 centuries for the club with a highest score of 108 against a strong Old Boys Collegians side. A club legend, Carl epitomises what it means to be a BWUCC player. Tough and tenacious and would do anything for his teammates. Carl is closing in on two major club records, highest run scorer and most appearances! It could be a historic season for the current player/coach.

 Carl Huyser on the drive.

1 – JL Kerr 8416 runs, BWCUCC #125 (West Christchurch)

Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club’s most prolific all time run scorer Jack Kerr. An opening batsman who played 151 games for the club from 1928-56, scoring 20 centuries at an average of 40.8 and a highest score of 153 not out.

Born in Dannevirke, Kerr started to play for Wanganui in the Hawke Cup at aged 15, helping the side to win the prized trophy in his second season. Kerr’s job as an accountant moved him to Christchurch and he began playing for West Christchurch.

His outstanding form saw him selected for Canterbury to play in the Plunket Shield. He played 89 times for Canterbury scoring 8 centuries at 32.19 with a high score of 196. Great domestic form saw him selected for New Zealand becoming Blackcap number 19. He went on to play seven tests for New Zealand. In 1935/36 Kerr scored 146 not out and 71 for Canterbury against the touring MCC.

Jack served in the Armed Forces in the second World War and became a Test selector and followed that position up with numerous different positions in administration with New Zealand Cricket. Kerr was President of the club in 1956/57 and a patron from 1977-2005 during this period he saw the club relocate to Burnside Park and merge with Burnside.

The club’s batting trophy has rightfully been named after our most prolific run scorer. The Jack Kerr trophy is awarded to the player with the most senior runs at prize giving each year. 

Kerr was a tremendously decent man who constantly gave back and did what was right for the game, from club level to test level. This led to him being awarded an O.B.E in 1972 for valuable services to cricket and in 1999 was appointed a C.N.Z.M (Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit) for services to the community. An incredible man who played an instrumental role in the club’s history and a classy opening batsman, 8416 runs is going to be tough for anyone to topple.

Jack Kerr striding to the middle for New Zealand.

BeaconPoint Club Clips - Why Spin Wins with Mark Higgs: The Key Role of Spin Bowling in Team Success