Denis Begbie passes away at the age of 94 by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:

DW Begbie

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DateLine: 11th March 2009

 

Denis Begbie, a quick-scoring batsman who played five Tests for South Africa immediately after the war, has died at the age of 94. At the time of his death he was the third oldest surviving Test cricketer behind New Zealand's Eric Tindill and another South African, Norman Gordon.

 

Begbie had just established himself in the Transvaal side when World War Two arrived, and it undoubtedly robbed him of some of his best years. He had to wait until 1947, by which time he was 33, for international recognition when he toured England after a productive domestic season. Despite enjoying a good summer - he scored 612 runs at 30.60 - he did not win a place in the Test side. His debut finally came in 1948-49 by which time he was past his best. In five Tests - three against England that year and two more against Australia the following summer - he failed to make any impression with a highest score of 48.