Rupert de Smidt

Rupert de Smidt
Personal information
Full name
Rupert de Smidt
Born(1883-11-23)23 November 1883
Cape Town, Cape Province,
South Africa
Died3 August 1986(1986-08-03) (aged 102)
Cape Town, Cape Province,
South Africa
BattingRight-handed
BowlingLeg break
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1912/13Western Province
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 4
Runs scored 74
Batting average 18.50
100s/50s –/–
Top score 42*
Balls bowled 606
Wickets 16
Bowling average 18.00
5 wickets in innings –
10 wickets in match –
Best bowling 4/40
Catches/stumpings 6/–
Source: Cricinfo, 19 February 2024

Rupert de Smidt (23 November 1883 – 3 August 1986) was a South African cricketer who played first-class cricket for Western Province. He is the fifth oldest of the 23 first-class cricketers known to have surpassed 100 years of age.[1]

Born in Cape Town, de Smidt played four matches for Western Province during the 1912/13 season.[2] A leg break bowler[3] he took 16 wickets at an average of 18.00, finishing his only first-class season as Western Province's leading wicket-taker.[4] His best bowling figures of 4/40 came on his debut against Transvaal after he had taken 4/65 in the first innings.[5]

De Smidt was a lower order batsman, batting at number eight in four of his five innings. He scored 74 runs at an average of 18.50, with a highest score of 42 not out against Orange Free State.[6]

De Smidt died aged 102 years 253 days in Cape Town. His Wisden obituary stated he "was believed to be the oldest first-class cricketer".[7] The record passed to Jim Hutchinson in August 1999.[8]

  1. ^ The first Australian cricketer to achieve century, Cricinfo, Retrieved on 24 January 2009
  2. ^ First-Class Matches played by Rupert de Smidt, CricketArchive, Retrieved on 24 January 2009
  3. ^ His Wisden obituary records him as a fast bowler, however CricketArchive and Cricinfo both have him as a leg break bowler
  4. ^ Currie Cup 1912/13 - Bowling for Western Province, CricketArchive, Retrieved on 24 January 2009
  5. ^ Western Province v Transvaal, Currie Cup 1912/13, CricketArchive, Retrieved on 24 January 2009
  6. ^ Western Province v Orange Free State, Currie Cup 1912/13, CricketArchive, Retrieved on 24 January 2009
  7. ^ Obituaries, 1986, Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, Retrieved on 24 January 2009
  8. ^ Cricket Diary: Hutchinson extends age limit, Cricinfo, Retrieved on 24 January 2009