Cricket
Norman Gordon out of surgery
2011-12-23 11:13
Johannesburg - The world's oldest living Test cricketer, Norman Gordon, is recovering from late-night surgery after a fall in his Hillbrow flat on Wednesday.
"The operation went well and I'm very happy with his condition, at this point in time," orthopaedic surgeon Quinton Accone told former cricket boss Ali Bacher on Friday.
Given his age of 100, preparation for Gordon's surgery took longer than usual and the operation only commenced around 23:00 on Thursday.
He was given a spinal anaesthetic and remained awake during the procedure.
Bacher visited Gordon in the intensive care unit on Friday morning and said he was doing well and still maintained his sense of humour.
Asked what was more difficult for the former fast bowler - bowling to England's legendary batsman Wally Hammond or to undergo surgery?
"Bowling to Hammond," Gordon replied with a smile on his face.
Gordon and Hammond were both part of the "Timeless" Test between South Africa and England in Durban in March 1939.
The famous match spanned 10 days and ended in a draw.
Gordon was in the middle of bowling his 93rd over when the teams finally decided to call it a day as the touring side had to dash to catch a train to Cape Town and the mail boat back to England.
Gordon is at the Morningside Clinic and will be moved out of ICU over the weekend.