Pat Symcox talks a better game than most, and played one almost as good. An opening batsman who became South Africa's premier spinner, he resurrected his career by moving from Kimberley's rural dustbowl to the brighter lights of Durban. He relied more on guile, mischievous exaggeration and razor-sharp competitive spirit than real turn, bounce or indeed Test-level talent, and he went far. He will be remembered for being dropped from the side after scoring his only Test century from No. 10, against Pakistan at Johannesburg, and for surviving being bowled by Mushtaq Ahmed at Faisalabad because the ball failed to dislodge a bail as it rattled between his stumps. Symcox moved into the commentary box but quit that in 2006 after Supersport looked to curb some of his more controversial comments about the state of the game. He now runs a property company.
Neil Manthorp