BOB BLAIR (CRICKETER)

'Robert William Blair' (b. 23 June, 1932) in Petone. He played 19 Tests for New Zealand. One of his highlights in his career was scoring 33 for the last wicket with Bert Sutcliffe against South Africa in 1953.He will be best remembered for coming in to bat at the fall of the ninth wicket in the aforementioned match in the best interests of his team despite receiving the news of his fiancée's death in a railway accident the previous day.Bob truly epitomized the fighting spirit of his team and his country.He was given a standing ovation by a teary eyed Johannesburg crowd as he walked off.Despite the fact that New Zealand lost the Test ,everyone present at the stadium that day will never forget the tenacity and courage displayed by Blair. In the late 1990's he was coach of the Zimbabwe domestic first class Matabeleland Cricket Team that competed for the Logan Cup.