Cricket

SA fielding legend dies aged 80

2018-04-16 16:45

Cape Town - South Africa's Colin Bland, considered one of the great fielders of his generation, has died at the age of 80.

According to Cricinfo, Bland died at his home in London on Saturday night having suffered colon cancer for several years. 

Bland was born in Bulawayo, but went on to play 21 Test matches for South Africa between 1961 and 1966. 

A batsman, Bland averaged 49.08 on the Test stage, scoring three centuries and nine half-centuries from his 39 innings. 

It was in the field, though, where Bland was considered one of the best. 

The Wisden Almanack described Bland as having "demonstrated that fielding can be both a delight and an exhilarating spectacle through scientific precision."

In the 1966/67 season, Bland was a part of the South African squad that took on Australia, though he only played in the first Test before picking up an injury. 

Read more on:    colin bland  |  cricket
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