{{short description|New Zealand cricketer (1934–2000)}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=June 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}} {{Infobox cricketer | name = John Beck | image = File:John Beck 1962 .jpg | caption = Beck in 1962 | fullname = John Edward Francis Beck | birth_date = {{birth date|1934|8|1|df=y}} | birth_place = Wellington, New Zealand | death_date = {{death date and age|2000|4|24|1934|8|1|df=y}} | death_place = Wellington, New Zealand | family = John Sigley (brother-in-law) | international = true | internationalspan = 1953–1956 | country = New Zealand | testdebutagainst = South Africa | testdebutdate = 24 December | testdebutyear = 1953 | testcap = 65 | lasttestdate = 9 March | lasttestagainst = West Indies | lasttestyear = 1956 | batting = Left-handed | bowling = Slow left-arm orthodox | club1 = Wellington | year1 = {{nowrap|1954/55–1961/62}} | columns = 2 | column1 = Test | matches1 = 8 | runs1 = 394 | bat avg1 = 26.26 | 100s/50s1 = 0/3 | top score1 = 99 | deliveries1 = – | wickets1 = – | bowl avg1 = – | fivefor1 = – | tenfor1 = – | best bowling1 = – | catches/stumpings1 = 0/– | column2 = First-class | matches2 = 41 | runs2 = 1,508 | bat avg2 = 23.93 | 100s/50s2 = 2/8 | top score2 = 149 | deliveries2 = 46 | wickets2 = 0 | bowl avg2 = – | fivefor2 = – | tenfor2 = – | best bowling2 = – | catches/stumpings2 = 19/– | date = 1 April | year = 2017 | source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/player/36291.html Cricinfo }} '''John Edward Francis Beck''' (1 August 1934 – 24 April 2000) was a New Zealand cricketer who played in eight Test matches between 1953 and 1956. He played Plunket Shield cricket for Wellington from 1954–55 to 1961–62.
==International career== An attacking left-handed batsman and fine fieldsman, John Beck was selected for the tour to South Africa in 1953–54 at the age of 19 and before he had played a first-class match: chosen "on the basis of his schoolboy form and his raw promise".<ref name="WCA">''Wisden'' 2001, pp. 1575–76.</ref> In the Third Test at Cape Town he was run out for 99 after he and John Reid had put on 174 for the fifth wicket, including 165 in the two hours between lunch and tea on the second day.<ref>''Wisden'' 1955, p. 800.</ref>
In New Zealand's first ever Test victory, against the West Indies at Auckland in 1955–56, Beck made 38 in the first innings, adding 104 for the fifth wicket with Reid, the highest partnership of the low-scoring match. That was his last Test match.<ref>''Wisden'' 1957, pp. 837–38.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=4th Test, Auckland, March 09-13, 1956, West Indies tour of New Zealand |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/west-indies-tour-of-new-zealand-1955-56-61926/new-zealand-vs-west-indies-4th-test-62810/full-scorecard |website=Cricinfo |access-date=15 December 2023}}</ref>
==Domestic career== Beck played for Wellington with mixed success from 1954–55 to 1961–62.<ref>[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/0/975/f_Batting_by_Season.html John Beck batting and fielding by season]</ref> His highest score was 149 against Canterbury in 1955–56.<ref>{{cite web |title=Canterbury v Wellington, 1955–56 |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/21/21846.html |website=CricketArchive |access-date=15 December 2023}}</ref> In 1961–62, he scored his only other century, 103 not out against Central Districts, when he set a Plunket Shield record sixth-wicket partnership of 187 (unbroken) with Les Butler.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Wellington Batsmen Trounce Central Districts’ Bowlers |journal=Press |date=30 December 1961 |page=12 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19611230.2.125}}</ref>
Beck has been referred to as "one of the great mystery players of the age – he promised everything and achieved almost nothing."<ref>Brooke, p. 36.</ref> It was widely felt that he lacked the discipline to make the most of his talents.<ref name="WCA"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Sources== * Brooke, R. "Book Reviews", ''The Cricket Statistician'', The Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians: West Bridgford, Nottingham.
==External links== * {{cricinfo|id=36291}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Beck, John}} Category:New Zealand Test cricketers Category:New Zealand cricketers Category:Wellington cricketers Category:Cricketers from Wellington City Category:1934 births Category:2000 deaths Category:North Island cricketers