World's oldest surviving cricketer Lindsay Tuckett dies aged 97

Johannesburg: South African Lindsay Tuckett, who was the oldest surviving former Test cricketer, died Monday in Bloemfontein aged 97, his family said. “On behalf of the Cricket South Africa family I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and cricketing colleagues,” said chief executive Haroon Lorgat. [caption id=“attachment_2991692” align=“alignleft” width=“381”] Representational image. Getty[/caption] Cricket South Africa (CSA) paid rich tribute to Tuckett, who was the backbone of the South African pace attack in the years immediately following World War II. Record books show that Tuckett made his debut in the first Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham in 1947, taking 5/68 in the first innings in 37 overs. A tall fast bowler, he won nine caps in home and away series against England between 1947 and 1949. He took 15 Test wickets at an average of 44.26 in England, but only four in South Africa at an average of 79. Tuckett captured 225 wickets in 61 first-class matches at an average of 23.07. He will best be remembered for bowling the final over of the first Test at Kingsmead in the 1948-49 season which produced one of the most thrilling finishes in the history of the game, with England winning by two wickets off the final ball of the game. His death makes another South African, 93-year-old John Watkins, the oldest surviving former Test cricketer. An all-rounder, he represented his country 15 times between 1949 and 1957.