Scott Weir
Scottish cricket internationalist, RAF helicopter pilot, PE teacher
Scott Weir, cricketer and pilot. Born 1 May, 1953. Died: 4 October, 2018, aged 65.
Scott Weir who has died aged 65 was an outstanding Scottish cricketer who played at the top level for three decades from the early 1970s onwards and was capped 26 times for his country. He was also a highly decorated RAF helicopter pilot, awarded the Air Force Cross by the Queen in October 1993.
Considered a formidable batsman with a powerful, aggressive technique as well as a useful medium pace bowler, he was a successful and inspirational captain for Clydesdale.
His ‘day of days’ came in 1982 when he scored 102 not out at Lord’s for Scotland in a match against the MCC, an achievement he reckoned the finest in his career. In domestic cricket he played in three Scottish Cup winning teams for Clydesdale in 1972, 1975 and 1987 while in 1995 he captained the side to the Western Union League title, their first in 15 years.
He also played briefly for Greenock Cricket Club, once memorably putting on a 300 run stand with teammate Tom Black. Between 1975 and 1984 he played as an early order batsman in 26 matches for Scotland as well as several non-cap fixtures.
Away from the cricket square he was a larger than life character who it was said lived life in the fast lane but was an immensely supportive and loyal friend, a highly valued team player both on and off the pitch.
His talent was evident from an early age. He played three games for Scottish Colts against England Schools, Scottish Counties and Surrey Colts, each time recording his team’s highest score. In 1972 and 1973 he played in the Scottish Cricket Trials before being awarded his first cap against Ireland in August 1975 at Observatory Lane in Dublin.
His final cap came in May 1984againstwarwickshireina Bensonandhedgescupmatch at Edgbaston against Test stars Derek Amiss, Bob Willis and Chris Old. His international career saw him rubbing shoulders with many of the game’s top players in matches against leading English Counties including Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Worcestershire, Yorkshire, Leicestershire as well as the MCC, Ireland, Wales and Pakistan XIS.
In his penultimate international against Worcestershire at the County Ground in April 1984 when he scored an excellent 29, the opposition included household names such as Basil D’oliveira and Ray Illingworth, while on other occasions he faced Geoff Boycott, Arnold Sidebottom and Martyn Moxon among others.
On 8 and 9 July, 1982, Weir enjoyed his finest display as a batsman playing for Scotland against the MCC at Lord’s, the mecca of the sport, which capped an excellent week’s cricket for him. In his first innings he reached 61 and in his second, 102 not out, each the highest totals for a team that fielded batsmen of the calibre of Terry Racionzer, Willie Donald, Richard Swan and Andrew Ker.
A newspaper report stated, “Scott Weir on leave from the RAF with only restricted playing in recent months revealed his true potential with a magnificent century in 169 minutes, including one six and thirteen fours off 132 balls. Since last Saturday, Weir has scored 312 runs for Scotland; against Worcestershire at Broughty Ferry he made 43 and 58 not out, then 48 against Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk’s XI at Arundel Castle and then against MCC excellent knocks of 61 and 102 not out. A 92 run stand with Andrew Ker for fourth wicket put Scotland back in the hunt.”
His efforts helped secure a draw against a strong home team. Another highlight was an innings of 65 against Ireland in 1982 at Myreside to assist Scotland to an eight wicket success. In domestic cricket, his three Scottish Cup wins included the final’s highest score, 31, in 1975 against Perth County and he also played for Clydesdale in two losing finals in 1986 and 1996, both against Aberdeenshire. Although his serious playing career ended by 2000, in 2011, aged 58, playing for the West of Scotland Forty Club at Stenhousemuir against their East of Scotland counterparts, he demonstrated his exceptional talent reaching 63 runs, the game’s highest score.
Robert Scott Weir was born in Glasgow to Robert and Barbara and brought up in the south side of the city with his sister Anne. He attended Glasgow High School where his cricketing talent was noted and then further developed at his local club Clydesdale at Titwood in Pollokshields.
As a youngster he was an enthusiastic member of Shawlands Boys’ Brigade whose discipline equipped him well for later life. After leaving school, he qualified as a PE teacher at Jordanhill College and taught briefly before joining the RAF.
After an initial spell as a physical training instructor, he became a helicopter pilot which he loved. Flying tours of duty took him all over the world often in hazardous situations, including two years spent with the Royal Marines. In 1993, for service in Northern Ireland, he received the Air Force Cross, awarded for “acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty when flying”.
Social media posts from former colleagues reflect his popularity and recount the occasional hair-raising social activities of a singular individual.
He is survived by his mother and sister.
JACK DAVIDSON
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