New Zealand legend Eric Tindill dies
Eric Tindill, the former New Zealand cricket and rugby international took his last breath on Sunday at the age of 99 years and 226 days. Tindill will be remembered as the oldest Test cricketer of all times as well as the oldest surviving All Black player.
Tindill became the oldest cricketer on 8th November 2009, overtaking Francis MacKinnon who was 98 years and 324 days old. Tindill played 69 first class matches for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wellington-c864 and five for New Zealand’s national team. Till date, Tindill holds the distinction of being the only man to have played cricket and rugby at the national level for any country. After his playing career was over, he went on to referee in rugby Tests and also featured as an umpire in a Test between New Zealand and England in 1959.
Tindill played for about a decade in first class rugby, leaving his mark on the All Blacks. He impressed all Kiwi selectors in the 1935-36 All Black tour with a memorable partnership with teammate Charlie http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Oliver-c80166. Even though 188 players showed up for the trials, Tindill stood out and earned himself a place in the squad for the upcoming tour.
Tindill played a supporting role to Jack Griffiths who was a more established player who had previously appeared in Tests against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Scotland-c756 and Wales. An early defeat against Swansea didn’t help as it was the first time the All Blacks had lost to a club side. Despite the setback, Tindill developed a talent for landing drop goals – this was seen as a useful skill when they still carried 4 points.
As Griffith was appointed as the captain of the All Blacks, Tindill did not make the selection in the next season. In the 1937 season, he was selected as a wicket keeper for the cricket team which was set to tour England. According to Wisden, the player was referred to as “the one who did nothing out of the common with the bat, but as a wicket-keeper he was always worth his place,” this was supported by the fact that he scored only 58 runs despite playing in all three Tests.
He was recalled for the All Blacks for the 1938 tour of Australia where he played three state games. Even though the war affected his rugby career, he continued to play cricket for Wellington and even featured in New Zealand’s firsts few post war Tests, including the historic match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746.
Among other things, Tindill also played football and table tennis for Wellington and after his retirement, he took up the role in the Wellington Cricket Association. He performed his duties as a selector for his club and country. In 1995, his efforts were recognized by the government when he was inducted in the New Zealand’s sports hall of fame.
Justin Vaughan, the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 Cricket chief said, “Eric was a great servant to sport in this country - and as a double All Black, reached the very pinnacle of sporting performance in this country. His achievements as a player in many sports, umpire and referee, as well as other amazing deeds reads like a Boys Own story. We are unlikely to see the likes of Eric Tindill again, and he leaves behind a very special legacy.”
Vaughan ended his speech by saying, “All of us at NZC and the cricketing fraternity were saddened to hear of the loss to the Tindill family and wish to pass on our heartfelt condolences.” Tindill’s death makes http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Norman-Gordon-c79925, the South African fast bowler the oldest living Test cricketer. Gordon is 98 years and 361 days old.
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