John Chaloner Alabaster (11 July 1930 – 9 April 2024) was a New Zealand cricketer who played 21 Test matches for the country's national team between 1955 and 1972.

In domestic cricket, he was often partnered at the crease for his provincial side Otago by his younger brother Gren, who bowled off-spin.

He did, however, take 2 for 30 and 5 for 99 when the New Zealanders defeated the Indian domestic side South Zone by an innings in Bangalore.

He showed good form in the early matches, taking 6 for 37 and 5 for 43 in an innings victory over Leicestershire.

In assessing his tour, Wisden noted that he "spun the ball little" but deceived the batsmen with "his accuracy and variations of flight".

[7] After the 1958 tour, Alabaster realised he needed to learn how to bowl the googly to become a more effective bowler.

[1] Alabaster had good seasons in 1959–60 and 1960–61, and took six wickets when New Zealand beat the touring MCC team in Wellington in February 1961.

Writing in Wisden, Geoffrey Chettle wrote, "In Alabaster we were privileged to meet the finest leg-spinner – a real finger-worker – seen in this country for many years.

He next played a full season in 1967–68 and struck good form, including 5 for 43 and 5 for 79 for Otago against Northern Districts at Dunedin.

Shirley received the Queen's Service Medal in 2009 for her work in support of the Dunstan Hospital in Clyde.