South Africa Legend Mike Procter Dies At The Age Of 77

image-lsr55x4eKepler Wessels (L) and Mike Procter (R). (X.com)

Former South Africa all-rounder and coach Mike Procter passed away in Durban, as confirmed by his wife Maryna to South African press late on Saturday, February 17, due to complications during heart surgery. He was 77 years old.

On Monday, his family revealed that he had suffered a "cardiac incident" while recovering in a hospital intensive care unit after routine surgery. Procter was undergoing treatment in a hospital near his hometown, the coastal city of Durban, but unfortunately succumbed to prolonged illness.

"He suffered a complication during surgery and while in ICU went into cardiac arrest. He became unconscious and unfortunately never woke up," his wife Maryna said according to news reports.

One of the finest cricketers coming from the rainbow nation, Procter played the all-important role as the country emerged from sporting isolation in 1991. He became South Africa’s first head coach upon their return to international cricket, leading the team to the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup in 1992.

His international playing career was abbreviated in 1970 when South Africa was excluded from world cricket due to its apartheid regime. Despite this, Procter made a significant impact in the seven Tests he played for South Africa, scoring 226 runs at an average of 25.11 and claiming 41 wickets. 

Remarkably, South Africa remained undefeated in those seven Tests, winning six matches and drawing one. Procter's standout performance came in his final Test, where he recorded figures of 6/73 in a resounding 323-run victory.

In a illustrious first-class career spanning 24 years, Procter amassed 21,936 runs and took 1,417 wickets, representing teams such as Natal, Orange Free State, Western Province, and Rhodesia. Additionally, he played for the English county side Gloucestershire, earning recognition as one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year in 1970 following a stellar season where he claimed 103 wickets.

Following South Africa's readmission to international cricket post-democracy, Procter transitioned to coaching, guiding the national team to the semi-finals of the 1992 World Cup. He later served as South Africa’s convenor of selectors and subsequently as an ICC match referee. Throughout his career, Procter left a huge mark on the sport, both as a player and as a mentor, earning respect and admiration from cricket fans worldwide.