99 not out for Norman Gordon

Norman Gordon, the former South African fast bowler and the world’s oldest living Test cricketer, celebrated his 99th birthday on Thursday. Gordon had been the second-oldest surviving Test player until Eric Tindill, who played rugby and cricket for New Zealand, died on August 1.

A cocktail party was held at the Houghton Golf Club – where Norman is an honorary member and spends many an afternoon – to celebrate his birthday. And among the many queuing to shake Houghton’s hand was Johann Ruper, South Africa’s richest man. "I should have asked him for a cheque, then,” Gordon told Independent Online, when he was informed who Ruper was.