Brian Wishart - Obituary

The cricket community in Harare was shocked by the death in a road accident of Brian Wishart, father of the current Test player Craig, on July 26, 2003. Wishart senior's car was hit at a Harare intersection at night by an unlighted lorry, and he was apparently killed instantly.

Born on April 22, 1948, Brian Wishart was a fine allrounder in his own right, an aggressive middle-order batsman and a fast-medium seamer. He attended Ellis Robins High School, not a renowned cricketing nursery, in Salisbury (now Harare), and represented Rhodesian Schools in the South African Nuffield Week of 1966. He played most of his club cricket for Old Georgians, and for Rhodesia B in first-class matches and against touring teams during the 1970s.

He might have made more of a name for himself if Mike Procter and Robin Jackman had not been fixtures in the Rhodesian side. And Wishart gave up the game prematurely when John Traicos, whom he later jokingly described as "that little Greek who couldn't hold a bat", hit him for a six over extra-cover.

Known as "Wish", he was tall and well-built, a larger-than-life character whose ready wit and exaggerated drinking exploits were legendary. For years he was one of the hearty volunteers who worked the scoreboard at the Harare Sports Club, where he was one of the most well-known figures.