Bob Blair: key obituary facts
Is Bob Blair dead? Yes. Bob Blair died on June 23, 2026, at age 94.
Cause of death: Bob Blair's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Bob Blair known for?
He was known as New Zealand cricketer.
More about Bob Blair
Born: 23 June 1932.
Place of birth: Petone.
Gender: male.
Occupation: cricketer.
Nationality: New Zealand.
Also known as: Robert William Blair.
Bob Blair, the New Zealand cricketer known as Robert William Blair, died on June 23, 2026, at the age of 94.
Born in Petone on June 23, 1932, he played 19 Test matches for New Zealand and was a fast bowler whose success for Wellington in the Plunket Shield did not fully carry over to the Test arena. In 59 matches for Wellington from the 1951–52 season through 1964–65, he took 330 wickets at an average of 15.16.
His best domestic season came in 1956–57, when he claimed 46 wickets in five matches at 9.47, including two nine-wicket innings performances. Blair also held the Test record for the lowest career batting average by a player who scored a fifty in an innings, after making 64 not out against England at Wellington in 1962–63, his only score of 50 or more in Test cricket.