Bob Blair died on his birthday. (Photo- GETTY)
Bob Blair dies aged 94: Former New Zealand fast bowler Bob Blair has died in England at the age of 94. Bob Blair died on June 23, his birthday. The name of Bob Blair in world cricket will always be immortal not only for his fast bowling but also for the historic saga of taking the field for the country in the midst of the greatest courage, sportsmanship and deep sorrow ever shown in the history of the game.
When Bob Blair did not leave the field even after the death of his fiancee
In the year 1953, the New Zealand team was on a tour of South Africa. The second test match was being played at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. On the morning of the second day of the match, 21 year old young fast bowler Bob Blair received such a heart-wrenching news which shocked him. 151 people, including his fiancee Nerissa Love, lost their lives in the country’s worst ‘Tangiwai rail accident’ in New Zealand on Christmas Eve. After receiving the news of this terrible tragedy, everyone thought that Bob Blair would no longer play in this match. He remained in his hotel room in deep shock. The stadium flag was flown at half mast on the field.
But in the match, New Zealand’s batsmen were returning to the pavilion one by one in front of the fiery balls of South African fast bowler Neil Addock. New Zealand’s star batsman Bert Sutcliffe was hit on the head by the ball and was bleeding and struggling back to the crease after getting bandaged from the hospital. When the team’s 9th wicket fell at 154 runs, the players and umpire started leaving the field because everyone knew that the last batsman Bob Blair would not come on the field. But then Bob Blair was seen coming towards the field wearing pads, which made everyone emotional.
Important partnership for the last wicket
Grieving the loss of his fiancée, Blair came to the field to support the injured Bert Sutcliffe. Both of them made a stormy partnership of 33 runs in just 10 minutes for the last wicket, in which both of them together scored 25 runs in one over. When Blair returned after getting out, the entire stadium stood up and bid farewell to this brave player with tearful eyes.
Bob Blair’s cricketing career was like this
Bob Blair played 19 Test matches for New Zealand between 1953 and 1964, in which he took 43 wickets. His best performance was 7 wickets for 142 runs, which came against South Africa in his last Test match. At the same time, while playing for Wellington in domestic cricket, he was a very lethal bowler. He took 537 wickets in 119 first-class matches. In his most brilliant season (1956-57), he took 46 wickets at an average of just 9.
His story will remain immortal
Books were written, plays were made in New Zealand on this amazing and emotional story of Bob Blair and a famous film named ‘Tangiwai: A Love Story’ was also made. In the year 2024, New Zealand Cricket and Cricket South Africa together named the trophy of the Test series between the two countries as ‘Tangiwai Shield’ to honor this historical sporting spirit. At the same time, to express respect on his death, the New Zealand team will take the field wearing a black armband in the next Test match against England.
