LONDON, Dec 31: Eddie Barlow, the ebullient all-rounder at the heart of South Africa’s finest cricket side, has died at the age of 65 following a long illness.

Despite his appearance, described by South African radio commentator Charles Fortune as “looking like an unmade bed,” he was a fine all-round sportsman who represented the Transvaal rugby union side against New Zealand and the Lions.

After concentrating on cricket Barlow made his debut against John Reid’s 1961-2 New Zealand side, showing his flair as an opening batsmen by repeatedly slicing the pace bowlers over the slips.

He came of age as an international batsman in the 1964-4 series in Australia, scoring fighting centuries in the first two Tests.

In the fourth Test at Adelaide he struck 201, sharing a stand of 341 in 283 minutes with Graeme Pollock, the majestic young left-hander who was to become his country’s premier batsman.

South Africa had now assembled a side of all the talents, featuring Pollock’s brother Peter, who had developed into a formidable fast bowler, and Colin Bland, the best cover fielder of his era.

They beat Australia at home in the 1966-7 series with Barlow taking five for 85 at Cape Town with his lively swing bowling and trounced the same opponents 4-0 three years later.

Along with his team mates, Barlow went into international exile after the 1969-70 series when the country’s sports teams were ostracised because of the white-ruled republic’s racial separation policies.

After representing with distinction a Rest of the World side against England in 1970, Barlow turned his energies to inspiring Derbyshire in the English county championship.

From 1961 to 1970 Barlow played 30 Tests, scoring 2,561 runs at an average of 45.74 and taking 40 wickets at 34.05 each. He was also a sure-handed slip fielder who held 35 catches.—Agencies