Mike Procter, one of South Africa’s great all-rounders, has died at the age of 77. Procter’s wife Maryna confirmed the news to the South African press late on Saturday after complications during heart surgery.
Procter is considered as a Test great despite a short international career, abbreviated due to South Africa’s sporting isolation from the 1970s and 1980s. He played seven Test matches, all against Australia, taking 41 wickets at an impressive average of 15.02. Known for a chest-on action and releasing the ball early in his delivery stride, South Africa went undefeated in the seven-Test stretch, winning six matches.
Procter was also known for his power with the bat, making key runs in a 4-0 whitewash of Australia in 1969/1970, and his work for South Africa was acknowledged by Wisden, named as one of their Cricketers of the Year in 1970.
During their readmission to international cricket, Procter was South Africa’s coach and oversaw the Proteas’ 1992 Cricket World Cup to the semi-finals. Procter went on to serve as an ICC match referee between 2002 and 2008.
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