Tuckett represented South Africa in nine Test matches against England between 1947 and 1949.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has paid rich tribute to the world’s oldest cricketer, Lindsay Tuckett, who passed away in Bloemfontein this morning at the age of 97.

Tuckett represented South Africa in nine Test matches against England between 1947 and 1949.

The distinction of the oldest surviving cricketer in the world now passes to another South African player, all-rounder Johnny Watkins, who is 93.

Tuckett was the backbone of the South African pace attack in the years immediately following World War II.

Record books show that Tuckett made his debut in the first Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham in 1947, taking 5/68 in the first innings in 37 overs.

In his full international career he took 19 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls.

He was unfortunate that World War II broke out when he was just 20 years old and as a result he lost many of his best cricketing years.

He will best be remembered for bowling the final over of the first Test at Kingsmead in the 1948-49 season which produced one of the most thrilling finishes in the history of the game, with England winning by two wickets off the final ball of the game.

“On behalf of the CSA family I extend our deepest condolences to his family, his friends and his cricketing colleagues,” said CSA Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat.