Obituary for Denis Lindsay by Peter Martin

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Player:

DT Lindsay

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DateLine: 1st December 2005

 

One of South Africa’s most successful wicketkeeper-batsmen, Denis Thomson Lindsay, died in Johannesburg on Wednesday, November 30, 2005, at the age of 66 after suffering from cancer of the bladder.

 

Lindsay was born on September 4, 1939 and grew up in a sporting environment. His father, John Dixon Lindsay represented South Africa in three Tests on the 1947 tour of England, and he and his father later ran a successful sports shop together.

 

Lindsay was called up for the 1963-64 tour of Australia and New Zealand as understudy to John Waite and he played three Tests – three against each country – on the tour.

 

He played another three Tests against England the following season before making way for Waite in the last two Tests of the series.

 

He toured England in 1965 as first-choice 'keeper and in 1966-67, in the five-Test series against Australia he suddenly blossomed with the bat, hitting three centuries and totaling 606 runs (average 86.57) in the series – the most by any wicketkeeper in a series.

 

His 182 at the Wanderers in the first Test materially helped South Africa gain her first Test win over Australia in South Africa.

 

Ali Bacher, Lindsay’s captain in the 1969-70 series against Australia when he played two Tests, said: "Denis was diagnosed with cancer of the bladder earlier this year and it spread. He fought the illness with the same courage that he displayed on the cricket field. He was a great team man." Lindsay played in 19 Tests altogether, scoring 1 130 runs (average 37.66) and captured 59 dismissals (57 catches and 2 stumpings).

 

In all first-class cricket he scored 7,074 runs with a highest score of 216, and he had a hand in 333 dismissals (292 catches, 41 stumpings).

 

Lindsay is survived by his wife, Val, and four daughters.

 

(Article: Copyright © 2005 Peter Martin)