Bacher mourns the passing of an inspirational allrounder

Ali Bacher, the former CEO of the South African board, mourned the death of Eddie Barlow, the former South African allrounder, who died after a long battle against illness. Bacher acknowledged Barlow as being one of the "significant" members of the triumphant South African side of the 1960s and hailed his positive attitude, which permeated through the team.

"If you look at the '60s - including the 1969-70 tour of South Africa by Australia - it was the most successful decade in South African cricket history," Bacher, who captained at that time, was quoted as saying in News24.com. "We beat Australia eight times, here and in Australia. "In an era that was blessed with some brilliant cricketers - Graeme and Peter Pollock, Barry Richards, Mike Proctor, to name but a few - Eddie's role was probably the most significant, not only because of his outstanding allround ability, but because of his positive attitude, which permeated throughout the team. It instilled in all of us a feeling of confidence in our own ability, and in the team, and a belief that we could compete with, and beat, the best in the world."

Bacher added that Barlow had played for South Africa under four captains - Jackie McGlew, Trevor Goddard, Peter van der Merwe and himself. "We would get together from time to time, at various cricket functions, and we all agreed that Eddie was a person who gave his captain 100%, every time."

"He was a superb athlete," Bacher continued. "He played rugby for Transvaal, and if he had continued playing rugby, he may well have gone on to play for South Africa. As a cricketer, he was very successful as player, captain and coach."