New Zealander becomes longest living Test player

Wellington: New Zealander Eric Tindill added a new item to an unparalleled list of sporting achievements over the weekend when he became the world's longest-living Test cricketer.

Tindill, who lives with his daughter Molly in suburban Wellington, achieved the milestone when he turned 98 years, 325 days, surpassing the record of England's Francis MacKinnon who died in 1947.

The former wicketkeeper-batsman played five Tests for New Zealand between 1937 and 1947. He also played rugby for New Zealand, making a single Test appearance against England in 1936. He is the only New Zealander to play Test matches in both sports.

But Tindill didn't stop there. He also was a referee in rugby and an umpire in Test cricket, achieving a distinction which is unlikely ever to be matched.

He has a little more to do to become the longest-living rugby player. That honour belongs to Scotland's Mac Henderson, who died earlier this year aged 101.

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