Veteran cricket commentator Kotie Grove dies

Cape Town - Veteran Afrikaans cricket commentator Kotie Grove passed away at the age of 71 on Friday.

Grove's first involvement in cricket reporting was in 1976 when he joined the SABC's commentary team as a scorer.

The next year he did his first bit of commentary in a match between Eastern Province and Natal at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth.

In 1994, he joined the SuperSport commentary team and became an institution as an Afrikaans commentator.

Grove was a professor of classical studies at the Nelson Mandela University (formerly University of Port Elizabeth) for 44 years before retiring in 2014.

A SuperSport spokesperson confirmed Grove's death to Sport24 on Friday.

It is believed that Grove had battled cancer.

*Sport24 sends its condolences to the Grove family

Gutted to hear of the passing of good friend, @SuperSportTV co commentator and simply the LEGEND Kotie Grove - ????RIP???? Partner... Will forever remember the ‘Screen Writing Pen’ and ‘Stuart Little’... Condolence to all the Grove family ?? @HendrienGrove @cliffe55 ???????? pic.twitter.com/aQJysfjRzV

— Dave Nosworthy (@DONCRICKET) August 3, 2018