Chris Duckworth

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Christopher Anthony Russell Duckworth (22 March 1933 – 16 May 2014) was a Rhodesian cricketer who played two Tests for South Africa in 1957. He was born in Que Que, Southern Rhodesia (now Kwekwe, Zimbabwe) and studied at Chaplin High School and the University of Natal. He also played hockey for Rhodesia, rugby for Natal Under-19 and league tennis in Johannesburg.

Domestic career
Duckworth played first for Natal (1952–53 to 1953–54) while at university, scoring a century in his second match. He later returned to Rhodesia (1954–55 to 1962–63). In first-class cricket, he appeared in 77 matches, scoring 2572 runs at an average of 22.96, with a top score of 158 against Northamptonshire in 1955. He had 3 centuries and 10 fifties.

International career
Duckworth was a reserve wicketkeeper on two England tours (1955 and 1960) but did not play in Tests on those trips. He played in two Test matches for South Africa in 1957, both against England, as South Africa won the series. He scored 28 runs in Tests at an average of 7.00. Captain Clive van Ryneveld gave him a commemorative stump after each Test.

In 1963, Rhodesian selectors asked him to lead the national team, but he declined because he and his family planned to emigrate to South Africa. He later played for the Wanderers in Johannesburg in the 1965–66 season.

South Africa record
In 33 matches for South Africa, Duckworth was on the winning side 21 times, with only two losses, both on the 1960 England tour (one at Northampton and one at Bristol) on tough wickets.

Death
Duckworth died in Johannesburg on 16 May 2014, aged 81.