WELLINGTON: Bruce Taylor, the only cricketer to score a century and take five wickets in one set on his test debut, has died. He was 77 years old.
Taylor had been in poor health for some time. His death was confirmed on Saturday by New Zealand Cricket who described him as “a force of nature”.Taylor had only made three first-class appearances when he was selected in 1965 to tour India for a New Zealand squad that included John Reid and Bert Sutcliffe.
He was not picked for the first test, but in the second, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, southpaw Taylor scored 105 at-bats at No.8. He put in 163 with Sutcliffe, who did not come out 151.
Taylor went on to take 5-86 with his fast-middle pace to earn a unique place in cricket history. He also claimed a five-wicket bag in the next test.
Against a strong West Indian team in 1969, Taylor hit a century with 83 balls – the fastest at the time by a New Zealander in testing. This record lasted 36 years.
Taylor finished his 30-try career with 111 wickets at an average of 26.6, still 12th best by a New Zealander.
Source - https://crickethub.club/
