Bob Blair, the Cricketer Who Played On After Tragedy, Passes Away at 94

Bob Blair, the New Zealand fast bowler who played one of cricket’s most courageous innings under heartbreaking circumstances, has died on his 94th birthday. He was the fifth-oldest living Test cricketer.

Blair played 19 Tests for New Zealand between 1953 and 1964. He took 43 wickets. But cricket fans will remember him not for his bowling numbers. They will remember him for a ten-minute stand at the crease that defined the spirit of the game.

Bob Blair, whose courage in the face of unimaginable grief became one of New Zealand sport’s most enduring stories, has passed away in England on his 94th birthday.

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It was December 1953, New Zealand were playing a Test match in Johannesburg. On Boxing Day, the players woke up to terrible news. A train bridge had collapsed at Tangiwai in New Zealand. An express train had fallen into the river. Among the 151 people who died was Blair’s fiancée, Nerissa Love.

Blair, just 21 at the time, stayed back at the team hotel to grieve. No one expected him to play. But then New Zealand lost their ninth wicket. The innings seemed over. And then, Blair walked out to the crease.

At the other end was Bert Sutcliffe. He had been hit on the head by a vicious bouncer earlier in the innings. His ear was split and bleeding. But he had returned to bat.

Together, Sutcliffe and Blair added 33 runs for the last wicket. Sutcliffe smashed seven sixes in his unbeaten 80. Blair scored 6 before being stumped. It was a small score, but it meant everything. It was a moment of bravery that cricketing history will never forget.

That day is now remembered with the Tangiwai Shield. The trophy is awarded to the winner of the Test series between New Zealand and South Africa. New Zealand won the first edition in 2023-24, their first-ever series win over South Africa.

Blair went on to have a strong first-class career. He took 537 wickets in 119 matches. After retiring, he became a coach, working in countries like Australia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and England. He later settled in Cheshire with his wife Barbara, whom he married in 1986.

New Zealand Cricket will honor him with black armbands on the first day of the third Test against England.

Bob Blair is gone. But his courage will never be forgotten.

                                               

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