Top EP, national cricket personality dies at 79
TRIBUTES have poured in after former Eastern Province Cricket Association (EPCA) president and wildlife conservationist Colin Rushmere died at the weekend. He was 79. Rushmere, who served as president of the EPCA in the 80s, died in his Walmer home on Friday evening having been ill for some time.
He played 33 first-class matches for EP and Western Province over a period of 10 years between 1956 and 1966.
He was a formidable opening batsman and medium-pace bowler.
Rushmere also toured England in 1961 with the Fezela XI that did much to bring a new attacking style into South African cricket.
He scored two first-class centuries with a highest score of 153 for Eastern Province against Western Province at Newlands that was part of a 312-run partnership for the first wicket with Geoff Dakin.
He also had a distinguished career as an administrator on the board of the South African Cricket Union, along with Dakin.
Rushmere was well known for the work he did in nature conservation in the Eastern Cape and his Kariega Game Reserve helped put the Eastern Cape on the map. It was established in 1989.
He had previously qualified as a lawyer and worked at Rushmere Noach, a company established by his father in 1933.
Up to his death, he served on EP Cricket’s directors’ affairs committee, together with Judge Ronnie Pillay and Yusuf Lorgat. The committee was established to assist with the appointment of independent directors to the EPC Board.
One of his sons, Mark, represented the Proteas at the ICC World Cup in Australasia in 1992 and in the first test match after readmission against the West Indies.
“We are saddened by the news of Colin’s passing and send our condolences to his family and friends,” EP Cricket president Donovan May said.
“He will always be held in high regard by the cricket fraternity. He served cricket for many years both on and off the field and was a true gentleman of the sport.”
Former United Cricket Board of South Africa president Geoff Dakin yesterday paid tribute to his close friend and former opening partner.
“Colin was an excellent president of EP Cricket. He achieved so much.
“He was responsible for building the Centenary Pavilion, now named the Graeme Pollock Pavilion,” Dakin said.
“He did that on the basis that he would sell all the suites. His board were a bit hesitant but he carried on.
“He was an optimistic kind of guy. He also established the press area in the then Firestone Centre.
“He served on the SA board with me as well. He was a brilliant board member in defending vehemently the rights of the minor provinces.
“When the big boys in Jo’burg said they were bringing all the money and all the TV rights, he would argue that the game would die without the minor provinces.”
Dakin recalled that Rushmere also made two 150s in his time as a batsman and his son Mark also made two 150s later in his career.
CSA also extended it sympathies.
“On behalf of the CSA family, I extend our deepest condolences to his family, his friends and his cricketing colleagues,” CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat said.
Rushmere is survived by his wife Twinks, five children, Colin, Mark, Graeme, Jean and Lindy, and 17 grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be confirmed.