Ah yes the Latham name is back in New Zealand cricket following young Todd's international debut at the crease this morning. Tom Latham was a bit edgy, sketchy at the crease but the leftie scored some lovely boundaries before being (predictably) caught behind by the wicketkeeper - got to work on that defensive technique, son.
Yes, cricket is quite an incestuous, nepotic sport. You've got sons, daughters, nephews, nieces playing cricket at the highest level years after their fathers, mothers, uncles & aunts hung their pads and bat up.
In fact, the only other sport I can think of where genetics play a role in sport.. motor racing - think about Damon & Graham Hill, Jacques & Giles Villeneuve, Christian & Emerson Fittipaldi, and most recently, Bruno & Ayrton Senna and Nico & Keke Rosberg.
But back to the willow and bat.. Who are the most successful cricket dynasties ever? Here's a look at 8 contenders..
NB: My criteria - at least two generations must have played first class cricket
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| Dad, Ken Rutherford |
Dad, Ken, captained the New Zealand side for 3 years, leading them to the semifinals at the 1992 Cricket World Cup where they lost to Pakistan. Other than it was a forgettable era for New Zealand cricket as they struggled following the retirement of Sir Richard Hadlee. Son, Hamish, has played for New Zealand at the U-19 World Cup and is currently plying his trade at Otago, like his dad.
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| Son, Hamish Rutherford |
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| Son and dad, Todd and Rod. |
The Lathams
Dad, Rod, featured for New Zealand between 1990 and 1994 playing 4 tests and 33 ODIs mainly as a right handed batsman. Son, Tom , made his debut for New Zealand against Zimbabwe in the 1st ODI today and is a left-handed batsman. He got out early but has potential - could be in the side for the long run. Rod and Tom are proud Cantabrians.
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| Son, Aaron Redmond v Brett Lee |
The Redmonds
Dad, Rod, featured for New Zealand in 1 test and 2 one dayers. However, that is enough for the Redmonds to feature here with son, Aaron being a bit more prolific - 7 tests, 6 ODIs, 7 Twenty20s. Both are opening batsmen with Auckland-born Aaron now carving himself as a Twenty20 specialist at Otago.
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| Dad, Rodney Redmond |
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| Son, Stuart with dad, Chris |
Dad, Chris, opened the batting for England, playing 25 tests and 34 ODIs. After retirement, Chris went into match refereeing and was amongst the convoy of vehicles shot at in 2009 in Pakistan prior to the 2nd test v Sri Lanka. Son, Stuart, has emerged as England's premier bowling all-rounder in all forms of the game although injury has recently hampered his progress.
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| Nathan and Brendon, brothers in arms |
Dad, Stu, was a wicketkeeper for Otago playing between 1976-1991. Just over 10 years after Stu's retirement, his youngest son, Brendon would make his debut for New Zealand in the one day game. By the time Brendon had established himself as first choice wicketkeeper, older brother, Nathan, would make his debut for New Zealand just as the Twenty20 game had emerged. Brendon has now handed the gloves to numerous candidates, reverting to the role of explosive opening batsman (something I still have doubts about) while Nathan has established himself as a superb all-rounder in the shorter forms of the game.
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| Greg and Ian with Richard Hadlee |
Probably the greatest cricket dynasty in Australia. Trevor, Greg and Ian's dad may not have played for Australia, but granddad Vic Richardson once captained Australia. Trevor is infamous for that underarm delivery against the Kiwis while Ian has now become a respected commentator at Channel Nine. Greg was considered one of the most elegant batsman of his time and went on to become a coach at international level, coaching India between 2005 and 2007.
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| John Bracewell |
Brendon and John featured for New Zealand during the halycon days of the 80s; John went on to coach the Blackcaps for 4 years. Doug Sr and Mark also played first-class cricket in New Zealand. Brendon's son, Doug, is now an international cricketer himself and considered New Zealand's best fast bowling prospect since Shane Bond. Mark's son, Michael Bracewell, featured in the warm-up game against Zimbabwe and could emerge in the New Zealand lineup in the near future as an opening batsman.
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| Doug Bracewell |
The Hadlees
The late Walter Hadlee was the patriach of the greatest cricketing family in the world, with sons, Barry, Dayle and of course the great Sir Richard all playing for New Zealand. Sir Richard's record of course speaks for itself but Dayle and Barry were pretty handy cricketers themselves. As yet there is no sign of a third generation of Hadlee cricketers.
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| Walter Hadlee |
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| Richard Hadlee |
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