Former Test bowler Lindsay Kline, the man who faced the final ball of the first tied Test, has passed away aged 81
Vale Lindsay Kline
Former Australian Test player Lindsay Kline has passed away today, aged 81.
Cricket Australia has paid tribute to Kline, who was the 207th Australian to wear the Baggy Green cap.
Kline played 13 Tests between 1957 and 1961 as a slow left-arm orthodox bowler.
The Victorian claimed 34 wickets at an average of 22.82 including a hat-trick against South Africa at Cape Town in just his second Test. That performance won Australia the Test, with Kline claiming the wicket of the last three South African batsmen.
He will always be remembered for facing the last ball of the first tied Test match, against the West Indies at Brisbane in the famous 1960-61 series.
He also denied the West Indies for 100 minutes as Australia held on for a draw at Adelaide in the same series. It was to be his last act in Test cricket.
Image Id: ~/media/BF445A1EB7C944F0BFF651A5E77EF077
Ian Meckiff, Lindsay Kline, Wes Hall and Joseph Solomon reunite to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Tied Test in 2000 // Getty Images
Kline played a total of 88 first-class matches taking 276 wickets at 27.39. In Victorian Premier Cricket he represented the Melbourne Cricket Club for 11 seasons which included leading his team to the 1958-59 premiership when he claimed 7-78 in the competition final.
Away from the cricket field, Kline established and ran a successful company manufacturing and supplying fire equipment in Melbourne.
MCC is saddened by the passing of former @MelbCC player and Test cricketer, Lindsay Kline, aged 81. A fine man. pic.twitter.com/nMWwpiigmm
— Melb Cricket Club (@MCC_Members) October 2, 2015
Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said Kline would be sadly missed.
"The news of Lindsay’s passing is incredibly sad," Sutherland said.
"He was a wonderful man, a great character and a fine contributor to our game. He will be missed dearly.
"Throughout his cricket career he was involved in some extraordinary moments that have become part of the rich history of our great game.
"In later years Lindsay was an annual guest at Adelaide and Melbourne Test matches and in many ways those occasions won’t be the same without his great company.
"It has been a very sad year for Australian cricket with the passing of a number of treasured members of our community including Richie Benaud, Arthur Morris and now Lindsay Kline.
"We extend our deepest sympathies to Lindsay’s wife Stella, family and friends at this sad time.”