- Bob Blair (cricketer)
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Bob Blair Personal information Batting style Right-hand bat Bowling style Right-arm fast-medium International information National side New Zealand Career statistics Competition Tests First-class Matches 19 119 Runs scored 189 1672 Batting average 6.75 12.29 100s/50s 0/1 0/3 Top score 64* 79 Balls bowled 3525 25282 Wickets 43 537 Bowling average 35.23 18.54 5 wickets in innings 0 41 10 wickets in match 0 12 Best bowling 4/85 9/72 Catches/stumpings 5/- 46/- Source: Cricinfo, Robert William Blair (b. 23 June 1932 in Petone) is a former cricketer who played 19 Tests for New Zealand.
In December 1953 Blair, playing for New Zealand against South Africa at Johannesburg, received news that his fiancée, Nerissa Love, had been killed in the Tangiwai railway disaster on Christmas Eve. Blair was not expected to bat when his turn came on Boxing Day, as an announcement had been made that he would take no further part in the game. In the event, however, he appeared at the crease to join Bert Sutcliffe, who had already started to walk off the field. The packed crowd stood in silence.[1] The two men added 33 for the last wicket, with Sutcliffe striking three sixes and Blair one from a single eight-ball over, but in the next over Blair was stumped off Hugh Tayfield. South Africa won the match by 132 runs. [2]
In the late 1990s Blair was coach of the Zimbabwe domestic first class Matabeleland Cricket Team that competed for the Logan Cup.
Dramatisation
In 2011 a television film about the disaster, Tangiwai: A Love Story, was made by Lippy Pictures for Television New Zealand, focussing on the love story of Bob Blair and Nerissa Love. Blair was portrayed by actor Ryan O'Kane. It premiered on TV One on 14 August 2011.[3] It has since been released on DVD.
A play written and performed by Auckland actor Jonny Brugh, The Second Test, tells the story from Blair's perspective, emphasizing his commitment to continue playing with the New Zealand team.[4]
Notes
- ^ Williamson, Martin. "Beyond the call of duty". Cricinfo. http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/380889.html. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
- ^ "South Africa v New Zealand in 1953". CricketArchive. http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Scorecards/20/20929.html. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
- ^ "Death and the maiden: The tale of 'Tangiwai'". New Zealand Herald. 6 August 2010. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/new-zealand/news/article.cfm?l_id=71&objectid=10743254. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
- ^ "Cricket: Emotion of Blair's story brought to stage". Otago Daily Times. 30 March 2011. http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/cricket/153898/cricket-emotion-blairs-story-brought-stage. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
References
Categories:- 1932 births
- Living people
- Central Districts cricketers
- New Zealand Test cricketers
- New Zealand cricketers
- Wellington cricketers
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