{{short description|New Zealand cricketer (1881–1936)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=June 2016}} {{Infobox cricketer | name = Dick Mason | image = Auckland cricket team in January 1904.jpg | caption = Auckland in January 1904, Mason on ground at left | fullname = Frederick Richard Mason | birth_date = {{birth date|1881|2|4|df=yes}} | birth_place = Napier, New Zealand | death_date = {{death date and age|1936|5|11|1881|2|4|df=yes}} | death_place = Auckland, New Zealand | batting = Right-handed | bowling = | role = | club1 = Auckland | year1 = {{nowrap|1902/03–1914/15}} | columns = 1 | column1 = First-class | matches1 = 19 | runs1 = 520 | bat avg1 = 16.77 | 100s/50s1 = 0/1 | top score1 = 81 | deliveries1 = 432 | wickets1 = 2 | bowl avg1 = 112.50 | fivefor1 = 0 | tenfor1 = 0 | best bowling1 = 1/23 | catches/stumpings1 = 14/– | date = 27 November | year = 2020 | source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/37827.html Cricinfo }}
'''Frederick Richard Mason''' (4 February 1881 – 11 May 1936) was a New Zealand cricketer. He played 17 first-class matches for Auckland between 1902 and 1915, and represented New Zealand twice in 1904–05.<ref name=CI>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/37827.html |title=Frederick Mason |access-date=17 June 2016 |work=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref><ref name=CA>{{Cite web|url-access=subscription |url= https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/22/22392/22392.html |title=Dick Mason |access-date=11 May 2026 |work=CricketArchive}}</ref>
==Life and career==
Mason was born in Napier and studied at Giles' Business College in Auckland before becoming an accountant.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Giles' College Sports |journal=New Zealand Herald |date=9 December 1899 |page=7 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18991209.2.48}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=McCarron |first=Tony |year=2010 |title=New Zealand Cricketers 1863/64–2010 |page=90 |location=Cardiff |publisher=The Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians |isbn=978-1-905138-98-2 |url=https://archive.acscricket.com/cricketers_series/new_zealand_cricketers_1863-64_2010/92/index.html |access-date=10 May 2026}}</ref>
Mason was a right-handed batsman who usually batted in the middle order. He was described later as "one of the most attractive batsmen in the Auckland side, when he got going".<ref>{{cite journal |title=Some Brave Days in Cricket |journal=Sun |date=28 December 1928 |page=7 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SUNAK19281228.2.65}}</ref> His highest first-class score was 81 on New Year's Day 1915, in his final match.<ref>{{cite web |title=Auckland v Canterbury 1914-15 |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/9/9468.html |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=10 May 2026}}</ref>
Mason made his first-class cricket debut for Auckland against Lord Hawke's team in 1902–03, scoring 26 in the first innings, which was Auckland's highest score in the match.<ref>{{cite web |title=Auckland v Lord Hawke's XI 1902-03 |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/6/6115.html |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=10 May 2026}}</ref> When the Australian team toured in 1904–05, Mason made 79 against them out of Auckland's first-innings total of 175.<ref name=DMP/> He was selected for the two unofficial Test matches that followed shortly afterwards, but was not successful.<ref>Don Neely & Richard Payne, ''Men in White: The History of New Zealand International Cricket, 1894–1985'', Moa, Auckland, 1986, pp. 45–47.</ref> He was also prominent in two Auckland victories in 1911–12; in the second match he took part in an unbroken tenth-wicket partnership of 35 that took Auckland to victory over Wellington.<ref>{{cite journal |title='Dick' Mason Dead |journal=Evening Star |date=15 May 1936 |page=4 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19360515.2.29.4}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wellington v Auckland 1911-12 |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/8/8628.html |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=10 May 2026}}</ref>
Mason also represented Auckland at hockey between 1904 and 1912, captaining the team in 1911 and 1912. The hockey reporter for the Auckland ''Observer'' described him in 1910 as "the finest centre forward in the Dominion".<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Line-Out |title=Hockey Hits |journal=The Observer |date=2 July 1910 |page=22 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TO19100702.2.38}}</ref>
Mason died in Auckland Hospital in May 1936 after a long illness, aged 55.<ref name=DMP>{{cite journal |title=Cricket: 'Dick' Mason Passes |journal=Auckland Star |date=12 May 1936 |page=18 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19360512.2.175.6}}</ref> He left a widow and a son.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Deaths |journal=Auckland Star |date=11 May 1936 |page=1 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19360511.2.3}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{ESPNcricinfo|id=37827}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mason, Dick}} Category:1881 births Category:1936 deaths Category:New Zealand cricketers Category:Pre-1930 New Zealand representative cricketers Category:Auckland cricketers Category:Cricketers from Napier, New Zealand Category:North Island cricketers