'Heroic' former New Zealand bowler Bob Blair passes away aged 94

Former New Zealand fast bowler Bob Blair died on his birthday, June 23, at the age of 94. At the time, he was the fifth-oldest living Test player in the world.

Despite playing just 19 Test matches for the Black Caps, the right-arm pacer will always be remembered for the short time he spent on the crease during a Test match against South Africa in December 1953 in Johannesburg. During Day 2 of the Test, on Boxing Day, the Kiwi players woke up to a horrific incident that occurred in Tangiwai, New Zealand, on December 24, where a railway bridge collapsed under a train, killing 151 people, amongst whom was Blair's fiancée, Nerissa Love. 

On that day, the pace bowler stayed back at the team hotel in grief, only for him to heroically walk out onto the field to bat at number 11 when everyone assumed that the innings was over. Blair partnered with Bert Sutcliffe, who had himself come out to bat in heroic fashion after being struck by a bouncer on the head. The two hurt New Zealand players, both physically and mentally, added 33 runs for the last wicket, with Sutcliffe ending on an unbeaten 80, while Blair hit a six and was later stumped off the bowling of Hugh Tayfield. The Proteas went on to win the Test by 132 runs, but Blair's bravery will always be the main story to come out of the game. 

The tragic Tangiwai incident has been etched into cricket history, with New Zealand and South Africa competing for the Tangiwai Shield in Test matches. Introduced in 2024, the Black Caps won the first iteration of the trophy, beating the African outfit 2-0 under the captaincy of Tim Southee. 

"The story of Bob Blair and the Tangiwai rail disaster has left an indelible mark on cricket in both New Zealand and South Africa. The courage and camaraderie shown during the second Test in South Africa in 1953 and in the years that followed epitomises everything that is great about sport," interim New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Graham Parks said in a statement, via Cricinfo. 

"To have been able to honour that inspirational story with the introduction of the Tangiwai Shield in 2024 was both poignant and will ensure the legacy of Bob Blair lives on. The cricket community extends its deepest condolences to Bob's wife Barbara, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and all who loved him," he added. 

Blair went on to take 43 Test wickets in 19 matches at an average of 35.23. He last represented his nation in the longest format of the game in 1964 against South Africa in Auckland, where he took his Test best figures of 4 for 85 in the first innings.

New Zealand will mourn his sad demise during their Test match against England at Trent Bridge by wearing black armbands.