Full name Robert William Blair
Born June 23, 1932, Petone, Lower Hutt, Wellington
Current age 88 years 47 days
Major teams New Zealand, Central Districts, Wellington
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm fast-medium
| Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 | 6s | Ct | St | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 19 | 34 | 6 | 189 | 64* | 6.75 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| First-class | 119 | 172 | 36 | 1672 | 79 | 12.29 | 0 | 3 | 46 | 0 |
| Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 19 | 28 | 3525 | 1515 | 43 | 4/85 | 7/142 | 35.23 | 2.57 | 81.9 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| First-class | 119 | 9961 | 537 | 9/72 | 18.54 | 41 | 12 |
| Test debut | New Zealand v South Africa at Wellington, Mar 6-10, 1953 scorecard |
| Last Test | New Zealand v South Africa at Auckland, Mar 13-17, 1964 scorecard |
| Test statistics | |
| First-class span | 1951/52 - 1964/65 |
Bob Blair was a Wellington fast bowler who had the misfortune of playing in a poor New Zealand side. They lost 13 and won none of his 19 Tests, and Blair failed to take a five-for. As a lower-order batsman he was extremely erratic. He bagged three pairs, reached double figures in only two of his 34 Test innings, but managed to slap 64 not out against England at Wellington in 1962-63. Blair also famously held up an end against South Africa at Johannesburg in 1953-54, just after hearing that his fiancee had been killed in a train crash.
Martin Williamson
New Zealand Cricket Almanack Player of the Year 1955