Chris Burger dies aged 78

Chris Burger, a middle-order batsman who played two Tests for South Africa in 1957-58, has died at the age of 78.

Burger played 48 first-class matches for Natal during a career that spanned a decade, but his pinnacle came when he was selected for two Tests against the touring Australians in early 1958.

Burger replaced Dick Westcott for the fourth and fifth Tests of the series and scored 21 and 1 on debut in Johannesburg, before making 3 and 37 not out in Port Elizabeth.

Dick Lambert, who played with Burger for Natal and under his captaincy at Natal B and County Districts, described Burger as "great to watch" when batting.

"He was a gentleman to the core who loved the company of fellow cricketers. Despite his success for Natal and being a Springbok, he never let it go to his head," Lambert told the Witness. "He was always nervous when he came to the crease -- competent but nervous. Once he settled, had hit a few out the middle and got going, he was great to watch

"He had big hands and could field anywhere but he never fancied himself as a bowler. As a captain, he was the best I played under. He treated every match, whether club, provincial or international, the same. He abided by the rules, standards and principles of the game and is a sad loss to the South African cricket fraternity."