Ron Draper, the oldest living Test cricketer, has died at 98 in Gqeberha, South Africa. He was known for his first-class debut century at 19 and played two Test matches for South Africa in 1950. His legacy includes a significant first-class career until 1959, finishing with an average of 41.64 and notable performances in the Currie Cup.
Ron Draper, who was born on December 24, 1926, and was the oldest living Test cricketer, passed away at the age of 98 in Gqeberha, South Africa. His family confirmed his death, noting that he had lived for 98 years and 63 days. Draper made his first-class debut for Eastern Province, remarkably scoring a century on his 19th birthday against Orange Free State.
Draper was a prominent top-order batsman and an occasional wicketkeeper, having played two Test matches for South Africa against Australia in 1950. While he struggled in those Tests, scoring only 25 runs in three innings, his opponent Neil Harvey, who is now the oldest living Test player at 96 years old, had a distinguished performance.
He continued to excel in first-class cricket until 1959/60, concluding his career with an impressive average of 41.64. Notably, Draper scored two centuries in his first two matches of the 1952/53 season, making history by being the first player to achieve this feat in South Africa’s Currie Cup competition.
Draper passed away in a retirement home, with his son-in-law, Neil Thomson, confirming the news on Friday. He was preceded in age by South African cricketers Norman Gordon and John Watkins, who both lived to remarkable ages, adding to the legacy of South African cricket’s rich history.
The passing of Ron Draper, the oldest living Test cricketer, marks the end of an era for South African cricket. His contributions to the sport, particularly through his first-class career and historic milestones, remain noteworthy. The cricket community extends its condolences to Draper’s family, recognizing his lasting legacy in the world of cricket.
Original Source: www.news18.com
