South Africa’s Geoff Griffin dies
November 19, 2006
DURBAN: Geoff Griffin, the former South African pace bowler, has died here aged 67. He played two Tests against England on the 1960 tour, becoming the first South African to take a Test hat-trick, but his career was virtually ended in the same match when he was no-balled for throwing 11 times.
Griffin was a tall quick bowler who topped the national averages during the 1959-60 domestic season with 35 wickets and 12.23, making him an automatic choice for the England trip. However, there were already worries about his action — he suffered an accident as a schoolboy which meant he could straighten his arm — and the problems started early in the tour when he was called against MCC at Lord’s and in the following tour matches.
His high point came when he claimed the first Test hat-trick at Lord’s by removing Mike Smith, Peter Walker and Fred Trueman. But he ended the tour playing purely as a batsman. A superb allround sportsman, Griffin played hockey for Rhodesia as well as holding Natal titles for high jump, long jump, triple jump and pole vault. He also played Under-19 rugby for Natal.
Griffin was a tall quick bowler who topped the national averages during the 1959-60 domestic season with 35 wickets and 12.23, making him an automatic choice for the England trip. However, there were already worries about his action — he suffered an accident as a schoolboy which meant he could straighten his arm — and the problems started early in the tour when he was called against MCC at Lord’s and in the following tour matches.
His high point came when he claimed the first Test hat-trick at Lord’s by removing Mike Smith, Peter Walker and Fred Trueman. But he ended the tour playing purely as a batsman. A superb allround sportsman, Griffin played hockey for Rhodesia as well as holding Natal titles for high jump, long jump, triple jump and pole vault. He also played Under-19 rugby for Natal.
