John Traicos

A disciplined and accurate offspinner, John Traicos is one of international cricket's most unusual members. He made his Test debut - for South Africa - in 1969-70 in their final series before they were cast into sporting isolation, and returned to international cricket in 1992, aged 45, playing in Zimbabwe's first four Tests. The gap between appearances - 22 years and 222 days - is a record. Egyptian born, he grew up in South Africa, touring England in 1967 with the South African Universities, and thereafter played for Rhodesia/Zimbabwe at a time many contemporaries plied their trade overseas. When Zimbabwe were finally admitted to the fold in 1992, Traicos, despite his age, was still far and away the best offspinner in the country, and one of best in the world. And the speed of his reactions fielding in the gully would have shamed many half his age. In Zimbabwe's inaugural Test he took 5 for 86 in 50 overs. His international career ended when business commitments meant he was not available to tour Pakistan in 1993-94. Traicos fled Zimbabwe with his family in 1997 for political reasons and is now a company secretary in Australia. His daughter, Chloe, is an actress.
Martin Williamson