Born: 1962
Deborah Ann Hockley CNZM (born 7 November 1962) is a New Zealand former cricketer who played as a right-handed batter and right-arm medium bowler. Hockley was the first woman to become President of New Zealand Cricket.
Hockley began her domestic cricket career playing for Canterbury and North Shore. She then went on to represent New Zealand in international cricket. Hockley played 19 Test matches for New Zealand, with a high score of 126 not out and an impressive batting average of 52.04. She also captained the New Zealand team in six of these matches, resulting in six draws.
In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Hockley appeared in 118 matches for New Zealand, averaging 41.89 with the bat. She captained the team in 27 of these matches, winning 12 and losing 15. Her accomplishments include being named Player of the Match in the 1997 World Cup final in India. Hockley holds the record for scoring the most runs by any woman in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, with a total of 1501 runs. She played in five World Cups throughout her career.
Hockley achieved several significant milestones throughout her career. She was the first woman to reach 4000 ODI runs and to play 100 ODIs. Additionally, she became the first woman to score 1,000 runs in ODIs for New Zealand. Her international cricket career spanned from 1979 to 2000.
In terms of individual achievements, Hockley has a notable list of centuries. In Test matches, she scored four centuries, including a high score of 126* against Australia in 1990. In ODIs, Hockley scored four centuries as well. Her highest score in ODIs was 117 runs against England in 1996. These centuries exemplify her skill and consistency as a top-order batswoman.
Beyond her playing career, Hockley has been recognized for her contributions to cricket. In the 1999 New Year Honours, she was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to cricket. Hockley was also inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013, becoming the fourth woman to receive this prestigious honor. In 2016, she made history by becoming the first woman to be elected President of New Zealand Cricket. This achievement showcased not only her leadership qualities but also her impact on the sport’s administration.
In recognition of her continued commitment and influence, Hockley received further honors. In the 2021 New Year Honours, she was promoted to Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, once again acknowledging her exceptional services to cricket. Furthermore, in 2023, the award for New Zealand’s most outstanding female cricketer of the year was named the Debbie Hockley Medal in her honor.
Debbie Hockley’s achievements and contributions to cricket have left a lasting impact on the sport in New Zealand. Her skill, leadership, and trailblazing accomplishments have helped pave the way for future generations of female cricketers.