The family of former South African all-rounder Mike Procter has announced his passing at the age of 77.
Procter represented South Africa in seven Tests before the nation’s exclusion from international cricket in 1970 due to apartheid policies.
He enjoyed a successful 14-year tenure with Gloucestershire and later served as a coach for South Africa upon their reinstatement to international cricket.
His wife, Maryna, informed South African website News24 that he faced complications during surgery.
Gloucestershire announced that the club would lower its flag to half-mast until the commencement of the County Championship season on April 5.
“Mike was a fantastic player and quite rightly regarded as one of the best all-rounders that has ever represented Gloucestershire,” former team-mate David Graveney said.
“I don’t think people realise that when Mike played he was playing through great pain in his knee, but that didn’t stop him from performing at the level he did.
“The phase ‘Proctershire’ was very apt for Mike. He put in the biggest performances in the biggest games.”
Procter boasted an impressive record in Test cricket, emerging victorious in six out of seven matches, all against Australia, between 1967 and 1970. During this period, he claimed 41 wickets at a remarkable average of 15.02 before his international career was prematurely halted.
His prowess as a formidable fast bowler was widely acknowledged. Over his illustrious career spanning from 1965 to 1988, encompassing 401 first-class games, he amassed 1,417 wickets at an average of 19.53. Additionally, in List A cricket, he secured 344 wickets at an average of 18.76.
Procter achieved significant milestones during his tenure with Gloucestershire, clinching victories in the Gillette Cup and the Benson and Hedges Cup. Notably, he captained the team to the latter title. In recognition of his contributions, he was voted as the county’s greatest overseas player in 2020.
As the Proteas coach from 1991 to 1994, Procter guided the team to the semi-finals of the 1992 World Cup. Subsequently, he transitioned to become an International Cricket Council match referee.
His career as a match official included notable incidents, such as the forfeiture of the Oval Test between England and Pakistan in 2006. This decision came after the visiting team refused to resume play following a tea break, following penalties imposed for ball-tampering.
Procter also imposed a three-match ban on India’s Harbhajan Singh in 2008, following allegations of racial abuse directed towards Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds. However, the ban was rescinded shortly after when the charges were reduced to the use of abusive language.