Ron Draper, formerly recognized as the oldest living Test cricketer, passed away in Gqeberha at the age of 98 years and 63 days, as confirmed by his family on Friday. Draper, a skilled top-order batsman and occasional wicketkeeper, represented South Africa in two Test matches against Australia in 1950. Following his passing, Neil Harvey, one of his former opponents, now holds the title of the oldest living Test player at 96 years old. Notably, the two cricketers who previously held the title of oldest Test cricketers were also South Africans: Norman Gordon, who lived to be 103 before his death in 2016, and John Watkins, who died at the age of 98 in 2021.
Born on December 24, 1926, Draper marked his first-class debut for Eastern Province against Orange Free State with a century on his 19th birthday.
After scoring 86 runs for his province against the touring Australian team in 1949/50, he earned a spot in the final two Tests against the same team. However, he managed to score only 25 runs across three innings. In contrast, Harvey, then 21 and beginning his notable Test career, achieved centuries in both matches.
Draper continued his first-class cricket career until 1959/60, retiring with a commendable batting average of 41.64.
In the 1952/53 season, he achieved a century before lunch on the opening day of his first two matches. In the second match against Border, he added another century in the second innings, making him the first player to score two centuries in a single match in South Africa’s prestigious Currie Cup competition.
Draper died in a retirement home in Gqeberha on Tuesday. His death was confirmed on Friday by his son-in-law, Neil Thomson.
