A dependable opening batsman, Scotch Taylor played one Test for South Africa, against England at The Wanderers in 1956-57, making 12 and 6. But he was a much better allround sportsman than that one outing suggests.

Educated at King Edward V11 School, he went on to gain a mining degree at Witwatersrand University before making his first-class debut for Transvaal in 1949-50, months after making his state hockey debut. The following season he made his maiden hundred, and he was generally considered unlucky to miss the 1955 tour of England after topping the Currie Cup averages.

His chance came in 1957-57 when Jackie McGlew was unable to play in the first Test against England. He opened with Trevor Goddard in the first Test ever at the New Wanderers ground. His first-innings 12 took 106 minutes, but South Africa collapsed second time round. McGlew returned for the second Test at Newlands.

After retiring from cricket at the end of the 1960-61 summer, he remained active in squash and bowls, and was subsequently president of the South African Hockey Union and an administrator for Transvaal hockey.
Martin Williamson