Former South Africa Test cricketer Sid O'Linn dies
Former South Africa opener Sid O'Linn died in Randberg on Sunday at the age of 89. An obdurate left-hand batsman and stand-in wicketkeeper, O'Linn had played seven Tests for South Africa between 1960 and 1961
ESPNcricinfo staff
13-Dec-2016
Sid O'Linn (right) walks out of a tailoring store in London • J Wild/Getty Images
Former South Africa opener Sid O'Linn died in Randberg on Sunday at the age of 89. An obdurate left-hand batsman and stand-in wicketkeeper, O'Linn had played seven Tests for South Africa between 1960 and 1961.
He also played 92 first-class matches for Transvaal, Western Province and Kent, scoring 4525 runs at 35.62. A sharp fielder in most positions when not keeping, he took 97 catches to go with six stumpings. His Test call up came in mid-1960 for a tour of England, after a season in which he scored 619 runs at 68.78 for Transvaal. On the tour, he scored his best of 98 - made over five and a half hours - at Trent Bridge. The following year he played two home Tests against New Zealand, before being dropped on form.
O'Linn's sporting skills extended beyond the cricket field: he played top-flight football for English football club Charlton Athletic, and even represented South Africa in football in one game in 1947.