Former Zimbabwe cricketer Ray Gripper dies aged 88
HARARE – Former Zimbabwe cricketer and administrator Ray Gripper has died at the age of 88.
Opening batsman Gripper’s innings of 279 not-out for Rhodesia against Orange Free State in the 1967-68 season remained a Currie Cup record for a prolonged time.
Raymond Arthur Gripper was born on 7 July 1938 in Harare (then Salisbury), in the then colony of Southern Rhodesia, Growing up. In his adulthood, Gripper balanced cricket with his full-time occupation as a farmer.
He was the father of ex-Zimbabwe batsman Trevor Gripper.
The older Gripper, a right-handed batter, made his debut for the Rhodesian national team in the 1957-58 season, going on to play 83 first-class games for the country in Currie Cup between the 1957-58 and 1971-72 seasons.
Gripper was also an occasional right-arm medium pacer, taking three wickets at an average of 40 runs apiece in his first-class career.
In 1961, Gripper toured England with the South African Fezela XI, a youth team sponsored by sugar industrialist E. Stanely Murphy following South Africa’s difficult tour of England.
After his playing career, Gripper well full-time into the administrative side of things, ascending to the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) board before resigning much later.
“Ray’s passing marks the loss of a man whose life was deeply connected with the game of cricket,” former ZCU board member Nick Chouhan paid tribute.
“His achievements with the bat, leadership on the field and involvement in cricket administration will remain part of our cricketing history.
“On behalf of the Zimbabwe cricket fraternity, I extend my since condolences to Trevor, the Gripper family and all those who knew him.”
Credit: SportsCast
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