Death a double loss for rugby and cricket

Eric Tindill's first-class cricketing career spanned 18 seasons and he also played 16 games for the All Blacks. Photo / Supplied

Eric Tindill, the only man to play tests for New Zealand in both cricket and rugby, and officiate in a test in both, has died in Nelson. He was 99.

While others have become known as double rugby-cricket internationals although appearing only in tour games as distinct from tests in one or the other sport, Tindill was unique in his four-strong achievements.

A halfback or first five-eighths for Wellington, Tindill played 16 matches for the All Blacks, including one test, a 13-0 loss to England at Twickenham in 1936.

Fourteen years later he refereed three tests, two between the All Blacks and the British Lions, and then one against Australia in 1955.

Tindill played five cricket tests as a wicketkeeper-batsman between 1937 and 1947, his debut against England at Lord's. His first-class career spanned 18 seasons.

In all, he made 3127 first-class runs at 30.35, with six centuries with a top score of 149. With the gloves he took 96 catches and completed 33 stumpings.

"His achievements as a player in many sports, umpire and referee, as well as other amazing deeds, reads like a Boy's Own story," New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said yesterday.

"We are unlikely to see the likes of Eric Tindill again, and he leaves behind a very special legacy."

Tindill umpired one test match in 1959 between New Zealand and England. He also served a stint as a New Zealand selector.

He had a part in a memorable moment on New Zealand's return home from their 1937 cricket tour of England.

They stopped off en route to play South Australia and with the crowds pouring in on the second morning with the legendary Don Bradman on 11, Tindill caught him in the day's first over off fast-medium great Jack Cowie.

Several men have represented New Zealand in both sports. However George Dickinson and Curly Page played only cricket tests; Charlie Oliver, Jeff Wilson and Brian McKechnie appeared only in rugby tests, but Wilson and McKechnie played ODIs; Bill Carson played for the All Blacks and New Zealand in cricket, but not in tests.

In 1995 Tindill was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.

At the time of his death he was the oldest surviving All Black and test cricketer.

Born in Nelson on December 18, 1910, Tindill last year overtook Englishman Francis McKinnon, who lived 98 years and 324 days, as the world's oldest surviving test cricketer.

The previous oldest surviving test rugby player was Scotland's Mac Henderson, who was 101 years and 309 days old when he died last year.

- NZPA