Mike Procter Cause of Death: The Cricket Legend Who Passed Away at 77

Mike Procter Cause of Death
Mike Procter Cause of Death

Mike Procter, one of cricket’s best all-rounders, died on February 17, 2024, at the age of 77.He had a cardiac arrest due to a problem during heart surgery and never recovered consciousness.

The cricket fraternity lamented his demise, remembering him as a hard competitor, an outstanding instructor, and renowned match referee. Here are some lesser-known facts regarding Mike Procter’s life and work.

Mike Procter Cause of Death

Mike Procter, the South African cricket star, died on February 17, 2024, at the age of 77. The cause of death was cardiac arrest as a result of complications during heart surgery.

Parth MN (@parthpunter) tweeted a sad post:

Early Life and Playing Career

Mike Procter was born September 15, 1946, in Durban, South Africa. He had mixed-race origins, with his father being white South African and his mother being Zulu. He attended Durban High School, where he excelled at cricket and rugby.

He made his first-class debut for Natal at the age of 18 and quickly established himself as a regular part of the team. Procter was a fast bowler who could swing the ball both ways, as well as a hard-hitting batsman with swift scoring abilities.

Mike Procter Cause of Death

He was also an excellent fielder, particularly in the slips. Between 1967 and 1970, he played seven Tests for South Africa, capturing 41 wickets at an average of 15.02 and scoring 226 runs at 32.28. He was a member of the South African team that defeated Australia 4-0 in 1970, capturing 26 wickets in the process.

However, South Africa’s apartheid-era isolation cut short his international career. He continued to play domestic cricket for Natal before joining English county Gloucestershire in 1965.

He became one of county cricket’s most successful players, amassing over 20,000 runs and taking over 1,000 wickets during his career. Between 1973 and 1980, he guided the squad to six one-day titles, earning him the nickname ‘Proctershire’ among supporters.

Coaching and Match Refereeing Career

After retiring from playing, Procter became South Africa’s first coach upon their comeback to international cricket in 1991. He led the squad to the semi-finals of the 1992 World Cup when they lost to England in a thrilling rain-soaked match. He then became the chairman of South Africa’s selectors and coached Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

Procter also became an International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee in 2002, officiating in 108 international matches, including 41 Tests, 58 One-Day Internationals, and nine Twenty20 Internationals.

He was involved in some contentious episodes, including England’s forfeited Oval Test against Pakistan in 2006 and Harbhajan Singh’s racist row with Andrew Symonds in 2008. In 2009, he retired as a match referee and began working as a pundit and analyst.

Personal Life and Legacy

Procter married Maryna in 1974, and they had two sons: James and David. He was a fervent Christian who was active in a variety of charity and social activities. In 2010, he published an autobiography called ‘Caught in the Middle’.

Procter was largely recognized as one of the best cricketers of all time, and he was inducted into the International Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009. Gloucestershire also honored him by naming a stand after him at their Bristol home ground.

His peers admired and respected him, praising his abilities, dedication, and sportsmanship. He was a great game legend who left an impressive legacy.

Mike Procter Tributes and Condolences

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