During the first day of the Plunket Shield fixture between Auckland and Otago on Monday 9th of March, Auckland Cricket continued with its Hall of Fame initiative by honouring two of their all time legendary players, Mark Burgess and Hedley Howarth in the Bert Sutcliffe Lounge on Eden Park's Outer Oval.

Mark Burgess was Auckland's leading batsman of the 60s and 70s, scoring 4,228 runs in first class cricket with an average of 41. He also captained in 18 matches. 
 

Mark Burgess (left) with ACA Board member Nick Albrecht. Photo: Photosport

He is also an Honorary Cricket Member for ACA and a former Vice President.

Perhaps his most lasting contribution to cricket in our country was during his time in the national team, however. Burgess was captain of the New Zealand side when they beat England in a test match for the first time in 1978. He scored over 2,500 runs for New Zealand with five test centuries.

Hedley Howarth, the legendary left-arm orthodox spinner who passed away in 2008, remains the all-time leading wicket taker for Auckland in first class cricket, with 332 wickets at an astonishing average of 22.17. 
 

Hedley Howarth's daughter Tracey Christiansen (second from left) receives the award on Hedley Howarth's behalf with her husband, Eden Park head groundsman Blair Christiansen and their children. Photo: Photosport

During a ceremony and a Q&A led by former TV presenter Dennis Katsanos, Mark Burgess and friends, family and associates of Hedley Howarth shared memories of playing cricket for Auckland in the 1960s and 70s. 

After lunch, guests spent the remainder of the day's play reminiscing and catching up. Present were former Auckland and New Zealand players, coaches, presidents and board members as well as friends and families of Burgess and Howarth. 

MC Dennis Katsanos. Photo: ACA

Photos from Burgess and Howarth's playing careers, provided by the Howarth family. Photo: ACA

Auckland Cricket's Hall of Fame initiative began last year with the induction of John Sparling. It continued in December with a ceremony for Lynda Prichard and Rona McKenzie. Deviced by ACA Board Member Nick Albrecht and historian Trevor Auger, the initiative seeks to honour Auckland's storied history and the incredible players who left a lasting contribution to the sport in Auckland.

Article added: Thursday 12 March 2026