A well-built brisk medium-pacer, Shane Murdoch has been an able servant of the mighty ‘noa. As a icon of strength and subtlety his power is no surprise, but also his sublime touch is remarkable for a man of his stature. A case could be made that Shane has been the most courageous fast bowler who ever played for Swannanoa, but then again a case might not.  Through sheer willpower he has sustained his career for over a decade, and emerged with 1655 wickets from his 90 matches.

Almost a partial athlete in the accepted sense, his true aptitude is bowling, and that mainly through aggression and determination. Trevor Findlay as Swannanoa's only postwar bowler was clearly faster; but none, not even Geoff Olsen, was a more intimidating sight than Murdoch as he charged dead straight down his 30-yard approach.

Quiet and almost post gothic on the outside it is a suprise to find a sharp and humourous individual hid just under the surface.