Oldest Test cricketer Ron Draper passes away at age 98 in South Africa

Prior to Draper, the two oldest Test cricketers were Norman Gordon and John Watkins, both hailing from South Africa. Gordon passed away at the age of 103 in 2016, while Watkins was 98 at the time of his death in 2021.

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Draper made a century on his first class debut, batting at no. 3 on his 19th birthday for Eastern Province in 1945. He also took up the wicketkeeping role for Eastern Province in 1946-47, something which he did irregularly in his career.

He was wicketkeeper for South Africa XI’s wicketkeeper against the Aussie touring team in 1949-50. Then soon he made 86, while opening for Eastern Province vs Australia. South Africa lost the first three Tests vs Australia, and Draper was roped in for the fourth fixture. Four South Africans, including Draper, made their debuts in that match. Draper made 15, and the match was drawn. In the fifth Test, he made 7 and 3 as South Africa lost by an innings.

That Australian touring team was captained by Lindsay Hassett and South Africa were skippered by Dudley Nourse. The Aussie team consisted of legends like AL Hassett and KA Archer.

He didn’t feature in any more Tests, but remained a batter at the Currie Cup. In the 1952-53 season, he opened the batting for Griqualand West and got 145, 8 vs Rhodesia, 129 and 177 vs Border, the first time anyone got a century in each innings in the currie Cup.

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