Geoff Allott

Infobox Cricketer


nationality = New Zealand
country = New Zealand
country abbrev = NZ
name = Geoff Allott
picture = Cricket_no_pic.pngbatting style = Right-hand bat
bowling style = Left-arm fast-medium
balls = true
tests = 10
test runs = 27
test bat avg = 3.37
test 100s/50s = 0/0
test top score = 8*
test overs = 2023
test wickets = 19
test bowl avg = 58.47
test 5s = 0
test 10s = 0
test best bowling = 4/74
test catches/stumpings = 2/-
ODIs = 31
ODI runs = 17
ODI bat avg = 3.39
ODI 100s/50s = 0/0
ODI top score = 7*
ODI overs = 1528
ODI wickets = 52
ODI bowl avg = 23.21
ODI 5s = 0
ODI 10s = 0
ODI best bowling = 4/35
ODI catches/stumpings = 5/-
date = 4 February
year = 2006
source = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/36179.html Cricinfo

Geoffrey Ian Allott (born December 24, 1971, Christchurch, Canterbury) is a former New Zealand cricketer who played in 10 Tests and 31 ODIs from 1996 to 2000. He retired from all cricket in 2001, following series of injuries.

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.

First selected by Glenn Turner for the Test series against Zimbabwe in 1995/6 when NZ 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 really well for his province at the start of 1996/7. A great game for NZA versus England in 1997 earned him a well deserved recall to the Test team, and he bowled far better in two Tests than his figures might indicate.

He bowls a good accurate stock ball, is not put off by left/right combinations, and is prepared to bend his back to generate extra pace. Unfortunately, prior to the 1997 Sri Lanka series, he developed an over-use back injury.

He holds the record for the longest time taken to score a duck in first-class cricket - 77 balls and 101 minutes for New Zealand vs. South Africa in 1999.