Former WP 'keeper Gavin Pfuhl dies

Gavin Pfuhl, the former Western Province wicketkeeper, died in Cape Town on Monday. According to the South African Press Association, Pfuhl, who recently had a heart transplant operation, contracted a virus that resulted in complications causing his death.

Pfuhl played 95 first-class games for Western Province between 1967/68 and 1979/80, scoring 2 331 runs at 21.58 while taking 280 catches and 34 stumpings. He later became an astute and informative television commentator.

Former South African captain and currently executive director of the 2003 World Cup, Ali Bacher, paid tribute to Pfuhl.

"Gavin played for Western Province around the time that Eddie Barlow was captain and I captained Transvaal," said Bacher. "In those days the rivalry between the two provinces was particularly intense and Gavin was a key member of the side. He was an excellent `keeper in the days that Province had Denys Hobson bowling legspin and I believe that he was easily good enough to have played international cricket.

"He became a TV commentator in recent years and what I liked about his commentary was that he was always so positive about South African cricket," said Bacher.