Richard Ian Leggat (born 28 August 1960) is a New Zealand former cricketer. He played in 22 first-class and 15 List A matches, mostly for Canterbury, from 1979 to 1984.[1] He became a businessman and public administrator.
Cricket career
Leggat was born in Christchurch and attended Christchurch Boys' High School. A batsman and leg-spin bowler, he captained his school, the New Zealand schoolboys team, the Canterbury Under-23s and New Zealand Under-23s teams.[2] After his first season of first-class cricket in 1980–81, the New Zealand cricket writer R. T. Brittenden called Leggat "a firecracker of a cricketer whose skills and aggression – batting, bowling or fielding – did much to help Canterbury to its very good season".[3]
Leggat captained Canterbury for most of the 1982–83 season.[4] He also captained his club team, Old Collegians, to the title in the Canterbury Cricket Association in 1982–83 and 1983–84.[5] He withdrew from the Canterbury squad before the 1984–85 season, saying he needed a rest from major cricket.[6] He played no further first-class or List A cricket.[7]
Leggat's highest first-class score was 83 when he captained Canterbury to victory over the touring Sri Lankans in 1982–83.[8] His best bowling figures were 3 for 60 and 5 for 37 (he also scored 32 and 33) when Canterbury defeated Northern Districts in 1980–81.[9]
Professional career
While studying at the University of Canterbury, Leggat and a fellow student, Tim Denne, made a special study of the economics of growing sphagnum moss in New Zealand.[10]
He is a trustee of the Rakiura Maori Lands Trust.[13] He was appointed chair of the kiwi conservation organisation Kiwis for Kiwi in 2019.[11] As of 2024 he is chair of Hamilton & Waikato Tourism.[14] He took up the position of chair of Auckland Transport in February 2024.[15]
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