Tindill, who played cricket and rugby, dies at 99
Source: Agencies |
August 3, 2010, Tuesday
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ERIC Tindill, who achieved unique status in world sport by playing both rugby and cricket for New Zealand, then refereeing test rugby and umpiring test cricket, died on Sunday in a Wellington hospital.
At 99 years, 226 days, he was the world's longest living test cricketer and New Zealand's oldest rugby international.
Tindill played 16 matches for New Zealand's All Blacks between 1935 and 1938 but only one rugby test, against England in 1936. He played five cricket tests for New Zealand between 1937 and 1947 in a career punctuated by World War II.
Although George Dickinson, Curly Page, Charlie Oliver, Jeff Wilson and Brian McKechnie also represented New Zealand in both rugby and cricket, Tindill was the only player to play tests in both sports.
He was a referee in two rugby tests between the All Blacks and British and Irish Lions in 1950 and New Zealand's second test against Australia in 1955. He then umpired New Zealand's cricket test against England at Christchurch in the summer of 1958-59.
"As New Zealanders we are very proud of his inspirational contribution not only to New Zealand rugby and cricket as a player, but also as a much respected test referee in both codes," New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Mike Eagle said.
New Zealand union chief executive Steve Tew said Tindill had been the last living link to a particular generation of All Blacks. "Eric was our last remaining pre-Second World War All Black and it's appropriate that we pay tribute to his role in that part of our colorful All Blacks history," Tew said.
"When we celebrated Eric's 99th birthday with him in December last year, it was a wonderful occasion that allowed us to thank Eric for his outstanding contribution to New Zealand sport."
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said Tindill's sporting record was unlikely to be matched.
Tindill also had the distinction of catching out Donald Bradman in the only match the Australian great played against New Zealand. He did so, from the bowling of Jack Cowie, when New Zealand played South Australia at Adelaide in 1937.
At 99 years, 226 days, he was the world's longest living test cricketer and New Zealand's oldest rugby international.
Tindill played 16 matches for New Zealand's All Blacks between 1935 and 1938 but only one rugby test, against England in 1936. He played five cricket tests for New Zealand between 1937 and 1947 in a career punctuated by World War II.
Although George Dickinson, Curly Page, Charlie Oliver, Jeff Wilson and Brian McKechnie also represented New Zealand in both rugby and cricket, Tindill was the only player to play tests in both sports.
He was a referee in two rugby tests between the All Blacks and British and Irish Lions in 1950 and New Zealand's second test against Australia in 1955. He then umpired New Zealand's cricket test against England at Christchurch in the summer of 1958-59.
"As New Zealanders we are very proud of his inspirational contribution not only to New Zealand rugby and cricket as a player, but also as a much respected test referee in both codes," New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Mike Eagle said.
New Zealand union chief executive Steve Tew said Tindill had been the last living link to a particular generation of All Blacks. "Eric was our last remaining pre-Second World War All Black and it's appropriate that we pay tribute to his role in that part of our colorful All Blacks history," Tew said.
"When we celebrated Eric's 99th birthday with him in December last year, it was a wonderful occasion that allowed us to thank Eric for his outstanding contribution to New Zealand sport."
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said Tindill's sporting record was unlikely to be matched.
Tindill also had the distinction of catching out Donald Bradman in the only match the Australian great played against New Zealand. He did so, from the bowling of Jack Cowie, when New Zealand played South Australia at Adelaide in 1937.
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