New Zealand bowler Bob Blair, who played after Tangiwai tragedy, dies
Former New Zealand cricketer Bob Blair has died at the age of 94.
The fast bowler played a key role in one of the most poignant and heartbreaking moments in New Zealand sporting history.
Blair, 21, was touring South Africa with the Black Caps in 1953 when he got a message from home that fiancee Nerissa Love was among the 151 people killed in the Tangiwai rail disaster on Christmas Eve.
He remained at the team hotel before insisting he “wanted to join his mates” as the Neil Adcock-led carnage had New Zealand’s dressing room resembling an emergency ward.
Several batters were clattered. Bert Sutcliffe was struck a brutal blow on the head and retired bloodied, only to return later with a white towel wrapped around his head.
Sutcliffe launched a defiant assault on the South African bowlers but when the ninth wicket fell the players headed for the pavilion, assuming the innings over. After all, Blair would not be batting.
However – and players swore this is not the stuff of imagination – the 23,000-strong Boxing Day crowd fell silent as Blair emerged from the pavilion, fumbling with his gloves, tears in his eyes.
Sutcliffe, who was 29, walked over to the younger man, put an arm around his shoulder and told him: “Come on son. This is no place for you. Let’s swing the bat and get the hell out of here.”
In one over from the outstanding offspinner Hugh Tayfield, Sutcliffe clouted three sixes as the crowd – aware of the tragic circumstances – roared.
When Blair swung Tayfield high over the mid-wicket boundary, the ground erupted.
The pair added 33 in just eight balls before the game carried on to its inevitable conclusion.
A TVNZ film, Tangiwai, featuring Ryan O’Kane as Blair and Rose McIver as Love, was released in 2011.
Blair went on to take 43 wickets in 19 tests spread over 11 years. For Wellington, he was formidably difficult over a 14-season career, especially at the Basin Reserve, and in 119 first-class games took 537 wickets at 18 runs apiece.