Ex-WP cricketer Ian Payne dies

Cape Town - Western Cape Cricket has paid tribute to former WP batsman Ian Payne, who died at the age of 65 on Sunday.

Payne represented Western Province in the period between 1968/69 and 1977/78, scoring two centuries and six half-centuries and averaging 37.16 in 19 matches for the Cape side.

In all, he struck 1 152 runs for Western Province, with a career-high contribution of 132.

Payne opened the innings successfully in the period in which Western Province established themselves as a force in South African cricket again under the astute leadership of Eddie Barlow, a former South African batsman.

“On behalf of the Western Cape family I extend our deepest condolences to Ian’s family, his friends and his cricketing colleagues,” commented Nabeal Dien, chief executive officer of the Cape Cobras.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends,” he added.

Payne served as director of sport at Herzlia High School and sports facility coordinator at the same institution before his retirement.