Q1. Most memorable game?
It was playing my first (and only) test in 1956 against the West Indies at the Basin Reserve, Wellington. I remember catching out their star all-rounder Sir Garry Sobers when fielding at gully. Legendary cricket writer Dick Brittenden wrote “Trevor could field anywhere with distinction, especially in the slips or gully”. I treasure this particular catch.
Cricket brought other special memories for Trevor:
- 1950s witnessing Her Majesty’s walkabout through the Basin Reserve during her NZ tour; and later to learn of the terrible tragedy at Tangiwai where my team mate Bob Blair’s fiancée was drowned
- 1960s playing for Lord Cobham’s XI v Wellington
- 1970s visiting Lord’s
Q2. Most memorable personal performances?
I was picked to captain Wellington in 1945 aged 20 years. Two innings stand out:
(1) 117 runs in the second innings versus Otago in the 1953/54 Plunket Shield season. Here I held up our middle order batting, but all to no avail as we lost the match. I was eventually out stumped Botting, bowled Moir. I remember too, it was one (of two matches) where I kept wickets for my province. Again, Brittenden acknowledged Trevor: “his cover drive, produced from the best blend of balance and timing, was for the connoisseur”.
(2) Playing for Wellington College Old Boys against Karori in 1951/52 I made 254 runs. This remains the third equal highest score in 138 years of Wellington senior cricket. And the 5th wicket partnership (with Ken Parkin) of 335 runs remains the highest partnership for any wicket. My senior cricket days lasted from 1941 to 1963.
Q3. What or who was the major influence in shaping you as a player?
I must mention my father, Weston Barber, who encouraged me by playing backyard cricket on his dairy farm in Te Horo when I was aged 7-8 years. He was also captain of the Te Horo Cricket Club and I followed the team around as a substitute player, if required.
Later the competitive nature of my opponents over the years during my time as captain of Wellington and Central Districts shaped my development. The players who had most influence at the time were John Reid (Wellington), Eric Tindall (NZ rugby referee, cricket umpire etc) and Merv Wallace (Auckland).
Q4. Advice for a secondary school cricketer who has a vision to play first-class cricket?
They should take advantage of the wonderful opportunity to play against first-class players at The Willows Cricket Club and to learn the social mores of the game. Because of the professional nature of the sport, you must have an edge, whether it is optimum fitness, non-slip hands etc – something to set you apart, but also to be able to contribute primarily as a team player.
Q5. A vital aspect of the ethos of the game which must be strengthened?
I played as an amateur in a bygone era – long before limited overs, let alone Twenty20. I would like to see more emphasis on the pure form of the game and less focus on “bums on seats”, TV angles, and sensationalist gimmicks to attract the paying public. This is not going to be a likely scenario so best left alone.
Having said that I believe test cricket and the long form of the game is enduring and must be preserved. I congratulate visionaries at The Willows and the proponents of the new Hagley Oval for having the energy to foster the best part of our game.